How to stay safe and prepared during a power cut
A power cut can feel disruptive and scary, but a little preparation goes a long way.
While everything’s running as normal, it’s worth setting aside the things you might need during a power cut and keeping them somewhere easy to grab.
Follow our 12 tips to help you and your loved ones during a power cut.
1. Stay warm and comfortable
Have blankets and extra layers of warm clothing nearby. If the temperature drops, these can make a big difference.
2. Plan ahead for heating and hot water
Your boiler may not work during a power cut, so heating and hot water could be unavailable.
If you’re expecting a power cut – especially in colder weather – it can help to boil some water and store it in a thermos for hot drinks or a hot water bottle.
During the outage, try to stay in one room and close doors and windows to retain warmth.
Once power is restored, check your heating system is working as expected.
3. Help your food stay safe for longer
Try to keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect the food inside.
As a guide from the Food Standards Agency (FSA), a fridge will usually keep food safe for up to four hours if the door stays shut.
A full freezer can hold its temperature for around 48 hours (or about 24 hours if it’s half full).
It’s also useful to have some non-perishable food that doesn’t require heating or preparation. If you use a camping stove, make sure it’s used safely and never indoors.
4. Turn off appliances before power returns
If you have been using them prior to the outage, remember to unplug appliances that shouldn’t be left unattended – like cookers, grills, chip pans, hair straighteners and electric fires.
This avoids them turning back on without you noticing when the power returns, which could lead to fire risk.
You may also want to unplug devices like your TV or computer to help protect them from possible power surges.
5. Make sure essential equipment can still be used
Power cuts can affect equipment such as stair lifts, bath hoists and adjustable beds. If you rely on these, check they have a battery back-up so they can continue working during an outage.
For stair lifts, it’s worth knowing if there’s a manual release handle to return the lift safely to the ground floor.
Back-up power supplies should be checked regularly by a qualified professional. If you have concerns, speak to your healthcare provider or equipment supplier.
If you have medication that needs to be kept cool, plan ahead – ice packs can help during an outage. For advice, contact your healthcare provider or NHS 111.
6. Stay connected when it matters most
Make sure your phone is charged so you can stay in touch with loved ones and access support if needed.
A pre-charged power bank is useful for phones, tablets and other devices. If needed, you may also be able to charge your phone in your car – having a cable ready can help.
If you rely on medical equipment, keeping it charged wherever possible can offer extra peace of mind.
7. Be ready to travel if needed
If you rely on an electric vehicle, remember you can use public charging points – your car’s navigation system can help you find the nearest one.
For petrol or diesel vehicles, it helps to have your tank at least half full, as many petrol stations rely on electricity and may not operate during a power cut.
If you have an electric garage door, it’s worth knowing how to open it manually so you can access your car if needed.
8. Have safe lighting within easy reach
Have a torch somewhere easy to find, along with spare batteries – especially during darker months.
It’s best to avoid using your phone as a torch where possible, as this can quickly drain the battery. Make sure everyone in your home knows where torches are stored.
Candles and other open flames aren’t recommended, as they can increase the risk of fire.
9. Leave a light on as a simple signal
Leaving a light switched on is an easy way to see when the power returns. Even during the day, it’s worth turning one on in case the outage continues into the evening.
10. Check in on those around you
Power cuts can be more challenging for some people. If you can, check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to make sure they’re safe and comfortable.
Always avoid putting yourself at risk. If you’re concerned about someone’s safety, contact the emergency services.
11. Save your work and protect your progress
If you work from home, saving your work regularly can help prevent losing anything important during a power cut.
If your device has an auto-save function, it’s worth making sure it’s switched on.
12. Sign up for extra support if you need it
If you or someone you know may need extra help during a power cut, consider signing up to the
This service can provide additional support, including updates, a dedicated contact number, practical advice, and in some cases help like hot meals or home visits.
Visit our dedicated section – Priority Services Register (PSR): extra support when you need it – to learn more.
What to expect from planned outages
At Aurora, we’re committed to providing a safe and reliable electricity supply for all.
As a regulated network operator, we regularly invest in and upgrade our network to keep it running smoothly. This means carrying out essential maintenance to help prevent damage to substations, underground cables and overhead power lines.
To carry out this work safely, our engineers may sometimes need to temporarily switch off the power in your area – for example, to repair or replace ageing equipment or to strengthen the network for the future.
If we do need to interrupt your electricity supply, we’ll always aim to give you at least 48 hours’ notice in writing wherever possible.
If anything changes that may affect when your power is restored, we’ll let you know as soon as we can. While this isn’t common, we understand how important it is to keep you informed.
If you’d like more information about preparing for a planned power cut, you can contact us at network@aurora-utilities.co.uk
Need extra help?
The Priority Services Register is a free service that provides advice and support, and can be a valuable resource when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.