What to Do in a Power Outage
30th October 2024
Don’t be stuck in the dark; learn how to prepare for a power outage.
There’s nothing like a power outage of a few hours or more to appreciate just how much we rely on electricity in our daily lives. From cooking to entertainment, heating to lighting, our homes need energy to thrive.
It pays to be prepared – you never know when one might occur in your area. In this handy guide, we look at the different causes of power outages, what you can do to prepare for one, and what to do when the lights go out.
Safety first
Your safety comes first in a power outage, and taking the necessary steps to stay safe and informed can help mitigate risks and protect you and your loved ones.
If the power outage is caused by broken power lines near your home, it’s crucial to maintain a safe distance (at least 8 to 10 metres away) and advise others to do the same. Approaching these lines can be fatal.
Exercise caution both indoors and outdoors during an outage. Avoid connecting temporary generators to household wiring, and never use barbecues indoors. If you are using candles as a light source, be sure to keep them away from flammable materials.
You can also help prevent a power outage by keeping an eye on the trees growing near power lines around your property. If you think the branches are getting too close to the power lines, contact a qualified tree removalist (for trees on your property) or notify your local council or electricity distributor (for trees on the street).
Why is the power out?
There are a number of different reasons for a power outage. If the power suddenly goes out at your house, start by checking if your safety switch has been tripped. It could be something to do with your own home’s electricity circuit (in which case, you may need to call in a licensed electrician). No tripped switch? Then a wider power outage has likely occurred.
Power outages can be caused by severe weather such as lightning, floods, heatwaves, bushfires and high winds. These major weather events can damage the power lines which carry electricity around a distribution grid. Other causes may include equipment failure, maintenance work, grid overload during peak demand, car accidents, digging near underground power lines, overgrown trees and even animals.
It’s the responsibility of the local electricity distribution company to fix any broken or damaged power lines. You can contact them (it’s the ‘Faults and Emergencies’ phone number on your electricity bill) to find out what’s going on and get the situation resolved.
If you’re still wondering why the power is out, don’t hesitate to reach out to your electricity distributor for further assistance and updates on the situation. Many distributors have detailed outage information on their websites that is regularly updated.
How to prepare for a power outage
You never know when the power might go out, so it’s important to be prepared. Every household should have a plan and a power outage kit for those unexpected times that the power suddenly goes out. The kit should include:
- Torches or other lighting sources
- Fresh water, especially if you rely on electricity for a water pump
- Alternative cooking source (note that some gas stoves still require electricity to operate)
- A fully charged mobile phone (if possible!)
If you rely on a continuous supply of electricity for medical equipment or other special needs, you should inform your electricity retailer in advance to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place in case of a power outage.
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What to do in a power outage
Wondering what to do when the power goes out? Thankfully, most power outages don’t last long. But no matter how long they last, the most important thing to do is to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
When the power goes out, it can be disorienting, but taking some immediate actions can help ensure your safety and comfort:
- Check if it's a localised outage: Sometimes, the power outage might be limited to your home or neighbourhood. Check with neighbours to see if they are also affected. If it's just your home, check your circuit breaker to see if a switch has tripped.
- Report the outage: If it's not just your home affected, report the outage to your electricity distributor. They might already be aware, but reporting it helps them track the extent of the outage and prioritise repairs.
- Stay calm and assess the situation: Panicking won't help. Take a moment to assess the situation calmly. If it's nighttime, locate flashlights and candles.
- Preserve perishable food: If the power outage is expected to last for an extended period, open the refrigerator and freezer doors as little as possible to help preserve the cold temperature inside.
- Unplug electronics: Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges when the electricity comes back on. This includes computers, TVs, and other appliances.
- Use alternative light sources: Use flashlights, lanterns, or candles for light instead of relying on your phone flashlight, as you might need it for communication.
- Stay warm or cool: Depending on the season, adjust your clothing or blankets to stay warm or cool. If it's winter, avoid using unvented gas or propane heaters indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Stay informed: Listen to a battery-powered radio for updates on the situation, especially if it's a widespread outage due to severe weather or other emergencies.
- Check on vulnerable individuals: If you have elderly neighbours or others who might be vulnerable, check on them to ensure their safety and well-being.
- Conserve battery power: Minimise the use of your phone and other battery-powered devices to conserve power in case the outage lasts for an extended period.
For longer power outages, you should:
- Prepare emergency kit: Gather essentials such as torches, water, and other necessities.
- Follow food safety guidelines: Discard perishable foods if the outage is prolonged.
- Avoid DIY electrical repairs: It's illegal and dangerous to attempt electrical repairs yourself. Contact a licensed electrician for assistance.
Remember, safety comes first. If you're unsure about anything, err on the side of caution and seek assistance if needed.
Food safety during a power outage
During a power outage, there’s a risk of food spoilage in your fridge and freezer. Here’s what you can do to minimise the risk:
- Move food to the freezer: Transfer perishable items from the fridge to the freezer to prolong their freshness.
- Place bags of ice in the fridge and freezer: Place bags of ice in both the fridge and freezer compartments to help maintain cold temperatures.
- Insulate frozen food: Cover frozen food with an insulating blanket or towels to help retain coldness.
- Minimise opening: Only open the fridge and freezer when absolutely necessary to prevent warm air from entering.
Remember, if food in the fridge is no longer cold to touch, ie. it is warmer than 5C, it should be eaten within 4 hours. Raw meat should be cooked before eating. If you’re unsure about the safety of perishable items, it’s best to discard them to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.
Important contacts
As part of your outage plan, it’s a good idea to have an emergency contact list, which includes all the phone numbers you might need during a power outage or related emergency.
| Contact | When to call | Telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Your local electricity network | To report a power outage | (This is the ‘Faults & Emergencies’ number on your electricity bill) |
| Your electricity retailer | In case you need to let them know about special needs (e.g. medical equipment) | (This number will be on your electricity bill) |
| SES | For help with storm damage | 132 500 |
| Emergency services | For life-threatening emergencies | 000 |
| Your local council | For information on emergency services in your area | (Look this up online) |
The final word
Power outages can take you by surprise, which is why it’s important to know what to do when one strikes. Remember, the most important thing is to stay safe and never attempt to do any electrical work yourself.
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References
- https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/about-energy/safety/power-outages
- https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/community-safety/what-do-power-outage
- https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/food-safety/food-safety-information-for-consumers/food-safety-during-power-outages
- https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/manage-my-energy/your-guide-to-power-outages
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