Preparing for a power cut
Light, warmth and a way to stay informed.
Core sources checked 27 October 2026: Be Ready power-cut guidance, Food Standards Agency, network-operator guidance and London Fire Brigade. Follow live local instructions.
Prepare while services are working: test torches, check matching batteries, charge power banks and write down useful numbers. Keep essentials accessible to everyone who may need them.
Before an interruption
- Plan food that does not depend on an electric cooker.
- Keep warm layers and blankets within easy reach.
- Check how your household will receive updates without Wi-Fi.
- If you rely on powered medical equipment, agree an individual contingency plan with your care team and provider in advance. Ask about priority support; it does not guarantee uninterrupted supply.
During a power cut
Use torches for light. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Check current Food Standards Agency guidance on food safety rather than relying on smell or an assumed safe time. Follow your network operator’s updates.
In Great Britain, 105 connects you to power-cut support. Northern Ireland has separate arrangements: use your network operator’s published contact details. For an immediate threat to life, call 999.
Use equipment safely
Never use barbecues, outdoor stoves or generators indoors or in enclosed spaces. They can produce lethal carbon monoxide. Follow manufacturer instructions and official fire safety guidance. Do not improvise a power supply to medical equipment.
See London Fire Brigade’s cooking safety advice and carbon monoxide guidance. Medical backup plans need your equipment provider or care team; the network operator explains why priority registration does not protect against all cuts.
References and limitations
This is a general planning guide, not live incident advice. Consult Power Cut 105, your network operator and Food Standards Agency power-cut guidance for current instructions.
Official Be Ready power-cut advice · Apply this with the interactive household checklist
Next: Essential supplies and buying guidance · UK government advice explained · Food planning checklist