Winter storms, extreme weather, or unexpected accidents can plunge homes into darkness without warning. The duration of a power cut and the outside temperature can turn a simple inconvenience into a serious, even life-threatening, situation. Navigating a blackout safely, therefore, hinges entirely on being prepared.
Essential Preparation Before the Lights Go Out
Effective preparation is personal and depends on your household's specific needs, according to Denise Everhart, a disaster executive with the American Red Cross. Considerations change significantly if you have young children, pets, or rely on medical devices requiring constant power.
Michael Coe, Vice President for Physical and Cybersecurity Programs at the American Public Power Association, underscores the importance of early action. He advises informing your utility company if you use critical medical equipment. Many providers have online forms or phone lines for registering these needs, which can help them prioritise your supply or arrange backup power solutions.
Assembling a comprehensive emergency kit is a fundamental step. Experts recommend this kit should ideally contain supplies to last at least several days, including:
- Non-perishable food, water, and any necessary pet supplies or medication.
- Cash, as ATMs and card machines may fail.
- Multiple light sources like torches, glow sticks, or battery-powered lanterns.
- Backup power banks and charging cables for mobile phones.
- Extra blankets for cold weather or additional water for heatwaves.
- A written list of important phone numbers.
- A wind-up or solar-powered radio to receive emergency broadcasts if mobile networks fail.
Matthew Gonzales, Executive Director for the Consumer Energy Alliance Southwest Region, offers a practical tip for those reliant on electric water pumps: filling a bathtub or buckets with water before an outage to allow for toilet flushing. Crucially, signing up for emergency alerts from local authorities and utility companies ensures you receive timely information on boil-water notices or evacuation orders.
Staying Safe During the Blackout
Once the power fails, your immediate actions can preserve food and maintain safety. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to retain cold air; food can last up to four hours in a fridge and 48 hours in a full freezer, though this time shortens if doors are opened frequently. Consume perishable items first.
If outdoor temperatures are consistently at or below 3°C (37°F), you may temporarily store food outside, but this is not foolproof due to temperature fluctuations. Always err on the side of caution: if in doubt, throw it out.
Staying warm is a primary concern. While those with fireplaces or gas central heating may have an advantage, others can use items like hand warmers, battery-powered heated blankets, or portable propane heaters. Denise Everhart issues a critical warning: never leave space heaters or candles unattended due to fire risk, and never run a generator indoors because of the deadly threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Check on vulnerable neighbours if it is safe to do so, advises Gonzales. If conditions become dangerously cold or hot despite your preparations, be ready to evacuate to a designated shelter or warmer location.
Planning for Future Resilience
The best time to prepare for the next outage is during a period of calm. Consider these longer-term steps to build household resilience:
Learn how to manually open your electric garage door. Designate a single, easily accessible spot for keys, important documents, and your emergency kit for a swift evacuation if needed. Plan alternative travel routes in case main roads are blocked.
For those considering a more significant investment, a portable generator (typically 5,000-10,000 watts) costing between £500 and £1,000 can power essential appliances like a fridge or a heater. Emerging technologies like home battery storage systems or electric vehicle reverse charging also offer potential backup solutions.
Finally, establish a family communication plan for scenarios where mobile networks and the internet are down. As Denise Everhart succinctly puts it, effective preparedness boils down to a simple mantra: "Have a kit, have a plan, have a way to get notified, and a way to notify people. That's really preparedness in a nutshell."
