What to do in a power cut: a simple UK guide

October 29, 2026

Portable LED area light lighting a room during a power cut

Power cuts in the UK are usually short, but storms can knock electricity out for hours or even days. A little preparation turns a stressful evening into a mild inconvenience. Here's what to do, in order.

In the first ten minutes

Grab a torch, not a candle. Torches are safer than candles, especially with children or pets around. A head torch leaves both hands free while you sort things out.
Check if it's just you. Look out of the window. If your neighbours' lights are on, check your fuse box (consumer unit) first, as a tripped switch is the most common cause.
Call 105. It's the free national power cut number for England, Scotland and Wales, and it puts you through to your local network operator. In Northern Ireland, call 03457 643643. They can tell you what's happened and when power is expected back.
Switch off appliances that were running, such as the oven, iron or heaters, so they don't come back on unattended. Leave one light switched on so you know when the power returns.
Check on others. Think of elderly neighbours, anyone who relies on medical equipment, or families with young babies.

Keep your food safe

The single best thing you can do is keep the fridge and freezer doors shut. According to Food Standards Scotland:

A fridge should keep food at a safe temperature for up to about 4 hours.
A full freezer should stay frozen for about 48 hours, and a half-full one for about 24 hours.

When you do eat, start with chilled food first, then anything defrosting, and save tins and dry food for last. If you're unsure whether something is still safe, throw it out.

Stay warm

Most central heating needs electricity, even if it runs on gas. A house can cool down fast in winter, so:

Gather everyone into one room and shut the doors to keep the heat in.
Layer up: thermal socks, hats and blankets make a bigger difference than you'd think.
Air-activated hand and body warmers give hours of heat with no fuel or power.
Never use a barbecue, camping stove or patio heater indoors. They produce carbon monoxide, which can kill. If you use any fuel-burning appliance, fit a battery carbon monoxide alarm.

Keep your phone alive

Your phone is your link to updates, family and emergency services. Turn on low-power mode, close apps you don't need and dim the screen. A charged power bank will give most phones two or three full charges. Keep it topped up so it's ready when you need it.

If mobile signal goes down too, a wind-up or battery FM radio means you can still hear local news and travel updates. Write down the frequencies of your local stations now, while you can look them up.

Light the room, not just a spot

Torches are great for moving around, but sitting in the dark for hours is miserable, especially for kids. A portable LED area light lights a whole room, and battery fairy lights give a soft glow that makes a long evening feel a lot less like an emergency. Keep the kids busy with a pack of cards and some board games.

When the power comes back

Switch appliances back on one at a time to avoid overloading the circuit.
Check your fridge and freezer food using the times above.
Recharge your power bank and torches straight away, ready for next time.

Get help if you're vulnerable

If you're over pension age, disabled, have a long-term health condition, rely on medical equipment, or have children under 5, you may be eligible for the free Priority Services Register. Network operators can give you extra support during a power cut, such as advance warning of planned cuts and priority updates.