When the lights go out, the first useful actions are simple. Get a safe light, check people and find reliable information. Avoid rushing around in the dark or trying unfamiliar electrical controls before you understand whether the problem is inside the home or wider.
Make the immediate area usable
Use a torch and keep routes clear. Check children, anyone needing assistance and any critical equipment. If there is smoke, fire, flooding near electrics or another immediate danger, follow the relevant emergency instructions rather than treating it as an ordinary outage.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible.
- Avoid candles where a safe torch is available.
Find the right update
Use your electricity network operator's official information and reporting route. Check whether neighbours or communal areas are affected if that is safe and convenient. Do not touch damaged cables or enter electrical rooms. A billing supplier and network operator may be different organisations, so prepare the contact details in advance.
Put the household plan into use
Note the start time, preserve phone power and check the radio if internet information is unavailable. Follow the agreed care-equipment contingency and seek help promptly if it cannot be maintained. Choose suitable food that does not require unsafe cooking arrangements. Do not assume a published restoration estimate is guaranteed; reassess if circumstances change. If the home becomes unsafe or authorities instruct you to leave, a stocked cupboard is not a reason to remain. Record practical gaps after the event rather than making rushed equipment purchases in the first few minutes.
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