If the power goes off
- Check whether the outage affects only your property. If it is safe to do so, check your consumer unit and nearby properties.
- Use 105 in Great Britain to reach your local electricity network operator for power-cut information.
- Use torches rather than candles where possible, and conserve phone and essential-device charge.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as practical and follow current Food Standards Agency advice if the outage is prolonged.
- Check on anyone who depends on powered medical equipment, telecare, heating controls or other essential electrical equipment.
Prepare before the next outage
Write down essential contacts, locate your consumer unit, identify the devices that matter most, keep a torch and suitable batteries accessible, and agree how your household will communicate if phones or internet become unreliable.
Why a 72-hour plan helps
A three-day planning horizon forces useful decisions about water, food, communications, medicines, light and household dependencies without assuming that any particular outage will last three days.
Live advice takes priority.
Use current network-operator and emergency-service instructions for the incident. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
Use current network-operator and emergency-service instructions for the incident. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.
EXPLORE POWER / 72 HOURSGET THE PLAN — £6.99
Primary sources
Reviewed against current cited sources: 28 October 2026.