Darkness makes familiar rooms awkward quickly. A little planning for lighting and communication can prevent a household from improvising with flames or outdoor cooking equipment during a storm.
Light the routes you need
Put working torches where people sleep and near the main living space. Consider whether someone needs hands-free light or a large, easy-to-find switch. Keep a small light available for the route to the toilet. Avoid leaving batteries loose among metal objects and follow product storage instructions.
- Test each light before the weather arrives.
- Keep stairs and floors free of stored supplies.
Keep information available
Charge a phone and power bank, then write essential numbers on paper. A battery radio offers another way to hear local information if networks are unreliable. In Great Britain, 105 connects to power network help; for other locations use the relevant local network's published emergency information.
- Save the network's outage page.
- Tell someone if you rely on powered equipment.
Choose food and warmth safely
Use familiar food that needs no cooking, and gather layers and blankets. Generators, barbecues, camping stoves and outdoor heaters must not be brought indoors, into garages or tents. If the home becomes unsafe or essential care cannot continue, use your agreed support plan and seek help early.
- Keep fridge and freezer opening to a minimum.
- Do not attempt electrical repairs yourself.
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