What to do when the Power Goes Out

Power cuts can be a bit of a pain, especially when they happen at night and you’re suddenly left trying to find things in the dark. Knowing what to do when the power goes out can make the situation much easier to deal with.

Here are a few things worth keeping in mind.

 

First, work out what’s happened

When the lights go out, have a quick look around the house to see if it’s just your home or if your neighbours have lost power too.

If it’s safe, you can check your fuse box to see if there’s an issue there. If it looks like the power cut is affecting your area, you can report it to your local electricity network operator.

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can report a power cut by calling 105.

 

Grab a proper torch

Your first instinct might be to grab your phone and use the torch, but your phone battery could be useful for something more important later.

Having a proper torch nearby means you can use your phone for calls and messages while still having enough light to get around.

A torch can also make it much easier to find things, check the fuse box or move around the house without bumping into anything.

 

Think about where you need it

Not every situation needs the same type of torch. You might need a brighter light to move around a room, a smaller torch for finding something in a cupboard or a hands-free light if you need both hands to do something.

Having a few different lights around the home means you don’t have to rely on one torch for everything.

 

Don’t forget about outside

If you need to go outside during a power cut, take a torch with you.

It can be useful for lighting up your driveway, garden, garage or paths around your home. This is especially helpful if it’s dark or the weather isn’t great.

Just take a bit of extra care around steps and anything you might trip over.

Be careful with appliances

When the power goes off, switch off any electrical appliances that were running.

You can leave one light switched on so you’ll know when the power comes back. It’s also a good idea to keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible so they stay cold.

Check on everyone at home

If you’re at home with children, older family members or anyone who might need a bit of extra help, make sure they’ve got enough light and are comfortable.

It can also be worth checking on neighbours if you know they might need some help.

Having different lights can be useful

One torch is great, but having a few different types of lights gives you more options when you need them.

The Rubber Torch Emergency Torch Bundle includes five different types of lights, so you can use the one that suits the situation.

It includes:

• Ultra-Slim Inspection Light- handy for cupboards, tight spaces and checking things around the home.

• Medium Rubber Torch- a brighter everyday torch for moving around the house or outside.

• Mini Focus COB torch- a small backup torch that can be kept in a drawer, bag or emergency kit.

• Mini Clip-On Rechargeable Light- clips onto clothing or bags when you need your hands free.

• Daylighter Tactical Dual Torch- a more powerful torch with different lighting options and a built-in power bank. 

The full bundle is £39.99, so you get five different lights in one set.

Shop the Emergency Torch Bundle

 

Once the power comes back

When the electricity comes back on, don’t just put the torches away and forget about them.

Check that they’re still working and recharge any rechargeable lights. If you’ve used batteries, replace them so they’re ready for next time.

It’s also worth thinking about anything that was difficult during the power cut. If you struggles to find a torch in a certain room, that’s probably a good place to keep one.

 

Be ready for the next one

You never really know when a power cut is going to happen, but having the right lighting ready can make things a lot easier.

Keep your torches you can find them, make sure they’re working and have a few different lighting options around the home.

Be ready when the lights go out.

Check out the Rubber Torch Emergency Torch Bundle and get five useful lights in one set.