Planning for no power at home

Home / Outages / Prepare for an outage / Planning for no power at home

Communication

If you have the option of using gas a BBQ/camping stove, consider storing a spare gas canister incase the unplanned outage is due to an event such as an earthquake, which could see power out for several days.
In rural areas, when the power is off, your water pump might not work. To ensure you have adequate supplies, be prepared by storing emergency water supplies for drinking and washing.
Store a sealed plastic box full of food that doesn’t need to be cooked, (e.g. crackers, preserves, chocolate etc.).
Depending on the time of year, keep blankets and sleeping bags handy in case you are left without a heat source.
If you don’t have access to water in a power outage, keep a bottle of sanitizer handy for bathroom and food handling needs.

Keep a torch/es and spare batteries in a place that’s easy to access.
Visit your local hardware store/camping & outdoor store for longer lasting candles. Store these, and a full box of matches in an easy to find place, especially its pitch black.
If your power goes out at night, also be prepared with battery-operated lighting.

To protect household electrical appliances, such as a computer or TV, consider using a surge protection devise to protect the appliances from power interruption.
If you have electric doors on your garage or live in an electronically gated area, check you know how to manually override it.
If you have a house alarm, ensure you have a backup battery supply during an outage. Check with your house alarm provider for more information.
Ensure you have enough mobile data for internet use (if applicable).
Be prepared by keeping a First Aid Kit handy for everyday use and you’ll also be prepared for a planned/unplanned outage event too!
Consider if you need a generator. Ask a local registered electrician if you are not sure what size generator you need, who will assess and advise, dependent on your requirements.

Usefull factsheets and information for planning for an outage.

This fact sheet is designed to inform you about using generators
safely in the event of a power outage.

A comprehensive no power plan checklist for your business.