A little preparation goes a long way. Explore the official UK 3-day guidance ↗
be readyFOR EMERGENCY
Power & lighting

The power’s out. What should you do first?

A clear first-steps guide for a safer, calmer power cut.

Reviewed 23 October 20262 min readIndependent UK household guide

Get a light and check for danger

Use a torch. Keep clear of damaged electrical equipment, fallen cables and floodwater near electricity. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or 112. Do not attempt electrical repairs yourself.

Report the outage

In England, Scotland and Wales, call 105 to contact your electricity network operator. In Northern Ireland, contact NIE Networks on 03457 643643. Your energy supplier and your network operator are different organisations.

Make the house safer

Switch off cooking and heating appliances that could cause a hazard if power returns unexpectedly. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. Preserve phone battery and use a battery-powered radio for updates if mobile data is unreliable.

Check people before devices

If you or someone nearby depends on powered medical equipment, follow the agreed backup plan and seek urgent help if their safety is at risk. A Priority Services registration does not guarantee uninterrupted electricity.

When power returns

Check the home before restarting appliances and follow any local advice. Recharge the power bank and replace anything you used so the kit is ready for next time.

Source & further reading
UK Government: power cuts ↗

Check the linked guidance for updates. Follow local instructions during a real incident. This site does not provide live emergency information.

Put it into practice
Start with trusted informationUK Government ↗British Red Cross ↗NCSC ↗