PRACTICAL UK GUIDE
What to do in a power cut in the UK
Find a safe light, check for an outage and report it to your electricity network operator. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
Check and report the outage
See whether nearby homes are affected, if you can check safely. Use your network operator’s outage map for updates.
In England, Scotland and Wales, call 105 free of charge. In Northern Ireland, use NIE Networks Powercheck or call 03457 643 643.
Find light and stay warm
Use a torch or battery lantern. Put on warm layers and get blankets out if the heating stops. Save phone charge for calls and updates.
When the power is back, test your torch and put it somewhere everyone can find it.
Keep the fridge and freezer closed
Open the doors as little as possible. How long food stays cold depends on the appliance, room temperature and how often you open it. Follow the Food Standards Agency’s guidance before deciding what to keep after a longer outage.
Check in with people who may need help
Contact anyone who may need support, when it’s safe to do so. If someone relies on powered equipment, follow their backup plan and contact the relevant care or equipment provider for support.
Before an outage, check the Be Ready guidance on extra support, including the Priority Services Register and Northern Ireland’s Customer Care Registers.
Sources: Energy Networks Association winter advice, NIE Networks, Food Standards Agency and the UK Government’s Be Ready checklist.