⚡ Blackout: what to do, step by step

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The most common emergency. If it lasts hours, the problem is the food in the fridge; if it lasts days, it's the cold or heat and staying in touch.

Open the guide in the app (works offline)

Step by step

First 5 minutesTurn on a flashlight, not candles. Check your breaker box and whether the street or the neighbors have power: if it's only your home, a breaker may have tripped.
Up to 30 minutesUnplug sensitive devices and leave one lamp switched on so you know when power returns. Turn on the radio, text your family and put your phone in battery saver mode. Don't call your local emergency number (112 in Europe, 911 in North America) unless it's an emergency: it jams the lines.
1 to 4 hoursDon't open the fridge or freezer. Check on older neighbors or anyone who depends on medical devices. If you live high up in a building, fill containers while there's still water pressure.
4 to 24 hoursEat what spoils first and throw out perishables that have been without cold for more than 4 hours. Only cook on a camping stove outdoors or with the window open.
24 to 72 hoursRation the battery and recharge it with the solar panel or in the car outdoors. Follow official instructions on the radio and protect yourself from cold or heat.

Before

  1. Have flashlights (better than candles, which cause fires), batteries and a battery or hand-crank radio.
  2. Keep your phone and power bank charged. Write down important phone numbers on paper.
  3. If someone depends on an electrical device (oxygen, ventilator) or on refrigerated medication, have a plan B agreed with their doctor.

During

  1. Don't open the fridge or freezer: the fridge keeps cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer for about 48 hours, and a half-full one for about 24.
  2. Unplug sensitive devices (computer, TV) to protect them from the power surge when the power returns. Leave one lamp switched on so you know when it's back.
  3. Never use generators, barbecues, camping stoves or combustion heaters inside the home, in the garage or on an enclosed balcony. Keep the generator outside, more than 6 meters (20 feet) from doors and windows.
  4. Save battery: brightness to minimum, airplane mode when you don't need it, and texts instead of calls, which put less strain on the network.
  5. Only get information from official sources (radio, your local emergency number (112 in Europe, 911 in North America), your local council) and don't spread rumors.

After

  1. Throw out perishable food (meat, fish, milk, leftovers, soft cheese) that has been without cold for more than 4 hours. Don't taste it to check whether it's OK.
  2. Anything in the freezer that still has ice crystals or is at 4 °C (40 °F) or below can be refrozen.
  3. Plug devices back in a few at a time.

What you need for this emergency

See the full kit: Blackout and power kit →

Figures and sources

Other emergencies