Power Cut? Here’s What to Do at Home (Checklist)

The average UK household experiences one power cut every 2.5 years. Most resolved in under 90 minutes. 

But when the grid fails at scale, it’s not so minor.

For example, in August 2003, a power cut brought London to a standstill, trapping 250,000 commuters in darkness for up to 2 hours.

In October 1987, winds uprooted 15 million trees across Southern England, which severed miles of power cables, causing a two-week powercut in some areas.

And more recently, 2021’s Storm Arwen left thousands without heating or power for up to 12 days in sub-zero winter temperatures.

So, although power cuts are rare, they can have a big impact. They expose just how reliant we are on infrastructure most of us know little about.

Common causes of power cuts

Running out of credit

approximately 4 million UK households use prepayment meters (often referred to as pay-as-you-go meters). 

On traditional meters, the display screen will show ‘debt’ or a zero balance if credit has run out. On smart meters, it might be the display unit or the energy supplier’s mobile app.

Most smart meters offer emergency credit so that you can keep your lights on whilst you arrange a top-up.

A tripped switch

Fuse boxes (also called consumer units) can trip for several reasons. You’ll usually find yours in a:

• Hallway
• Utility room
• Under the stairs
• Basement.

The best way of finding the cause is to look at its switches to see which has moved downwards to the OFF position. Push the tripped switch firmly back up into the ON position. This should restore power immediately.

But If the switch trips again immediately, a faulty appliance or wiring issue is causing the fault.

Faulty appliance

If your electricity keeps tripping, an appliance is likely overloading the circuit or shorting the system. 

Unplug every appliance connected to that circuit. Reset the switch at your fuse box, then plug your appliances back in one by one. When you plug in the faulty device, the switch will trip again. 

Leave that device unplugged and get a qualified electrician to check it. If your fuse box continues to trip whilst everything is unplugged, contact a qualified electrician to inspect your wiring.

External power cut (grid fault)

If your fuse box has not tripped and your credit is fine, look outside. 

If the streetlights are off and your neighbours’ houses are dark, there is an issue with the grid.

Are power cuts likely to become more frequent?

The UK electricity grid is undergoing a major transformation. So, whilst major outages remain rare, some energy experts believe they could become more common.

An energy transition largely from less fossil fuels to more renewable energy is underway, which can causes infrastructure issues.

For example, traditional power plants relied on spinning turbines that provided natural mechanical inertia. In other words, they act like a physical shock absorber to resist sudden shifts in electricity frequency. 

As these plants close, the grid loses this natural buffer, making short-term balancing more complex.

Also, wind and solar power depend on weather conditions and growing numbers of electric vehicles and heat pumps increase demand on local networks.

How to report a power cut

Do not call your energy supply company to report a power cut. Energy suppliers sell electricity, but local Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) maintain the power lines and cables.

Call 105 from any landline or mobile phone in the UK. This free service automatically connects you to your local network distributor. They can record the outage, give you updates, and provide emergency support if needed.

If you see dangerous hazards outside, such as fallen power lines, sparking cables, or damaged substations, call 105 immediately.

Do not approach fallen cables whilst waiting for help. If live cables pose an immediate danger to traffic or pedestrians, dial 999 for the police.

How long do power cuts last?

Most power cuts in the UK are short and last under an hour. Network operators usually restore power quickly by rerouting electricity through alternative cables.

Prolonged power cuts lasting several hours are less common. These typically occur after severe winter storms or major equipment failures in rural areas.

When you call 105, your local network operator will provide an estimated restoration time based on engineer reports.

What to do during a power cut

Once you’ve confirmed it’s a power cut and reported it, here’s what to do while you wait for power to return.

Precautions against power surges

Homes are at risk of a power surge immediately after power cuts (when electricity suddenly comes on).

This can damage some delicate electric appliances such as televisions, computers, and microwaves.

Monitoring the situation

Check on vulnerable or elderly neighbours to ensure they are safe and warm. Leave one light switch turned on so you know immediately when power is restored.

Check your phone occasionally, too – but limit your usage in case it runs out of battery.

Staying warm

Keep doors and windows in your home closed to preserve heat. Use extra layers of clothes, duvets, blankets to stay warm.

Avoid candles

Many people think that candles are great for powercuts. However, because of the fire risk candles carry, it’s better to use a battery torch if you have one. 

Food safety

An unopened fridge will keep food cold and safe for around 4 hours. A full freezer will maintain its temperature for 24 to 48 hours if the door remains shut. Half-full freezers keep food safe for roughly 24 hours.

If power stays off longer than 4 hours, discard perishable items like meat, dairy, and cooked meals that feel warm to the touch. Never refreeze or refridgerate food that has fully thawed.

Power cut preparation checklist

• Store a battery-operated torch in an accessible place alongside spare batteries. 
• Keep a fully charged portable power bank ready for mobile phones. 
• Stock non-perishable food and drinks that do not require heating or refrigeration. 
• Store warm blankets and thermal clothing together. 
• Consider installing power cut light bulbs, which contain lithium batteries that charge during normal use and stay lit for hours when electricity fails.

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