What to do in a power cut: 6 essential steps

We can experience power cuts in our homes for a number of reasons from storms causing damage to powerlines to maintenance of the National Grid. Here’s everything you need to know about what to do in a powercut.

Ruth Jackson-Kirby Personal Finance & Property Journalist

Are power cuts likely this winter?

Great Britain’s electricity system is extremely reliable and resilient. But power cuts can happen for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s because of an extreme weather storm or planned maintenance we look at what to do in a power cut.

How to prepare for a power cut

First and foremost, it is a good idea to make sure you are prepared.

• Keep your mobile phone and laptop charged so you can make calls and check for updates online if the power goes off. Have a portable battery power bank charged ready for use as a back up (they’re around £10 and can be found widely, at Amazon, Tesco etc).
• Save 105 into your phone. That’s the number to call to report a power cut. You’ll be put straight through to your local network operator’s emergency number.
• Make a written list of emergency contacts such as close family, your GP, pharmacist, landlord, council and utility companies.
• If you have a landline, you could get a corded telephone as most cordless phones won’t work without power.
• Make sure you have several torches and extra batteries – they are much safer than candles – and keep them somewhere you can easily find them in the dark
• Get a battery powered or wind-up radio so you can keep up to date with local news
• Make sure you have blankets and warm clothing handy
• Stock up on food and drink that can be prepared without electricity. If you have a gas hob have long matches or a gas hob lighter to hand so you can light it without the electric igniter.
• Keep your car’s fuel tank at least half full. Most service stations can’t pump fuel during a power failure.
• Understand how to manually operate essentials that usually require power such as electric garage doors and gates.
• If you have a stairlift ensure you know what to do during a power cut. Most have a battery backup and also a handle that allows you to manually move the stair lift.
• Prepare an emergency box. You could put together a power cut box containing torches, a battery pack for your mobile phone, blankets and a first aid kit. Just make sure it is somewhere easy to find in the dark.
• If there is a storm coming and you think a power cut is likely fill up a thermos with hot water.

What to do in a power cut – 6 essential steps

So if you’re wondering what to do in a power cut, here are our 6 essential steps:

1. If the power goes, locate your torch if needed, and turn off electrical items that might pose a risk such as fires, cookers, irons and hair straighteners in case you forget when the power restores.
2. Check your fuse box. A blown fuse or tripped switch could have caused the problem.
3. Once you’ve established the power cut hasn’t been caused by a problem within your home check with your neighbours to see if their power is off too.
4. Next report the problem to your local network operator. You can do this by calling 105 or contacting them by email or via social media. Don’t call your energy supplier, they don’t control the power supply and won’t be able to help.
5. Check on vulnerable neighbours.
6. Avoid opening your fridge or freezer so they remain cold for as long as possible. Food in the fridge should keep for four to six hours without power. Your freezer food should keep for 15 to 24 hours if you avoid opening the door. If you cover your freezer in blankets to add insulation it could help protect your food for longer.

How to check for power cuts in your area

You can check with your local power provider to find out if there are any problems in your area and what to do in a power cut. A call to 105 will tell you who your local provider is, or you can use 105’s postcode checker.

To find out if there is a power cut in your area call your local power provider or check their social media pages for updates. Most also have live power cut maps on their websites as well as advice on what to do in a power cut.

Who to call in a power cut?

If you think there is a power cut, you can call 105 to report it. This is a national number that will connect you to your local distribution centre.

Alternatively, you can contact your local power provider directly to report a blackout and find out what to do in a power cut. There are six main firms that cover the UK.

What to do in a power cut at night

Here’s what to do in a power cut if it happens at night:

• Locate your torches.
• Check if more than just your property is affected by looking to see if your streetlights are still on.
• Call 105 to report the power cut.
• Turn off electrical appliances and lights in case you forget and to avoid a surge when the power comes back on.
• Leave one light on so you’ll know when the power returns.
• Wrap up warm.
• Check on vulnerable neighbours.

Am I eligible for power cut compensation?

You may be able to claim compensation for power cuts. What you can claim will depend on if the power cut was planned, how long you were without electricity and if your network operator failed to meet standards set by Ofgem.

If the power cut was planned and you were given notice you can’t claim compensation. You also can’t claim if the cut was your own fault.

If you have no power for 12 hours or more in normal weather, you can claim £75 if you are a domestic customer or £150 if you are a non-domestic customer. After that you can get a further £35 for every additional 12 hours up to a maximum of £300.

If you have more than four power cuts in a year, and they each last at least three hours, you can claim £75 as a domestic customer and £75 as a non-domestic customer.

In stormy weather the compensation is different. Ofgem will categorise the storm and you can claim £70 compensation if the power is off for 24 hours in a category one storm or 48 hours in a category two storm. You then get a further £70 for every additional 12 hours without power up to a maximum of £700.

You can make a compensation claim to your local network operator.

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