Prioritised actions from the first minutes through the first 24 hours of a power outage — covering safety, food, water, warmth, communication, and medical equipment.
Most power outages last a few hours. Some last days or weeks. The actions you take in the first 24 hours determine how well you cope with both short and extended outages.
⚠️ Never use a generator, gas stove, charcoal grill, or camp stove indoors. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills within minutes and produces no warning.
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check if it is only your property | Check your fuse/breaker box; if neighbours also lost power, it is a wider outage |
| Report the outage | Call your electricity supplier or use their app — your report helps them prioritise |
| Locate torches and batteries | Do this now while there is still light; do not use candles unless necessary |
| Unplug sensitive electronics | Surge protectors help but are not perfect — unplug TVs, computers, appliances to protect from surge when power returns |
| Leave one lamp on | So you know when power is restored |
| Check on neighbours | Elderly or vulnerable neighbours should be checked early |
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Keep fridge and freezer closed | A closed fridge keeps food safe for 4 hours; a full freezer for 48 hours |
| Do not open unless necessary | Every opening releases cold air and reduces safe storage time |
| Identify what needs using first | Dairy, cooked leftovers, and opened meats are highest priority |
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fill bathtubs and large containers | If there is any risk the outage may affect water pumping |
| Fill drinking bottles | From the tap now — some outages also affect water supply |
| Locate stored water | Know where your emergency water supply is |
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conserve phone battery | Reduce screen brightness; close background apps; switch to low-power mode |
| Switch to battery/hand-crank radio | For emergency broadcasts and outage updates |
| Charge devices from a power bank | If available |
| Identify an alternative charging location | Car charger; community hub; charged power bank |
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seal off one room | Smaller space is easier to keep warm |
| Layer clothing | Start adding layers before you feel cold |
| Close internal doors | Retain heat in occupied rooms |
| Safe heating alternatives | Proper wood burner with open flue; do NOT use gas ovens for heating |
| Blankets and sleeping bags | Gather now while it is still manageable |
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Close blinds and curtains | Keeps radiant heat out |
| Open windows at night | Night air is cooler — ventilate overnight |
| Wet towels on skin | Evaporative cooling |
| Move to lowest floor | Hot air rises — ground floor is cooler |
| Identify cooling centres | Libraries, malls, community centres often have generators |
| Equipment | Action |
|---|---|
| Powered medical devices (CPAP, oxygen, dialysis) | Contact provider immediately; identify backup power; call 999/111 if life-dependent |
| Refrigerated medications (insulin, biologics) | Insulin remains safe at room temperature for 28 days once opened; refer to medication guidance |
| Electric mobility aids | Charge immediately from car or power bank |
| Decision | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Stay or go | If you have medical needs requiring power, vulnerable household members, or the outage affects heating in dangerous cold — consider moving to a family member, hotel, or community shelter |
| Food decisions | After 4 hours without power: discard anything with unusual smell or texture; use cooler/ice if available |
| Water heating | Camp stove or wood fire outdoors; never gas indoors |
| Light | Torches and battery lanterns; use candles only in stable holders away from flammables |
| Generator use | Outdoors only, minimum 7 metres from windows and doors |
| Never | Reason |
|---|---|
| Use a generator indoors | CO poisoning — can be fatal in minutes |
| Use a gas oven for heating | CO poisoning risk; fire risk |
| Use candles unattended | Leading cause of house fires during outages |
| Touch downed power lines | Assume live at all times — 6 metres minimum clearance |
| Ignore a burning smell | Could be electrical fault causing a fire in the wall |
| Restore power by resetting a repeatedly tripping breaker | Indicates a fault — leave off and call an electrician |
| Time | Priority Actions |
|---|---|
| First 15 minutes | Report outage; locate torches; unplug electronics; leave one lamp switched on |
| Hour 1 | Keep fridge closed; fill water containers; conserve phone battery; get radio |
| Hours 1–6 | Manage temperature; check medical equipment; charge devices from car |
| Hours 6–24 | Food safety decisions; consider relocating if vulnerable; generator outdoors only |
| Throughout | Never use combustion indoors; never touch downed lines |
Take Power Outage — First 24 Hours with you — no internet needed when it matters most.
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