What to Do in a Power Outage: Kate's Family Protocol

I have a laminated card inside the fridge door. It has been there for three years. My husband thinks it is excessive. We printed it after the power cut in January 2023 that lasted 14 hours, during which we could not agree on whether it was safe to open the fridge.

The card has 12 steps on it. This guide is the long version of those steps.

The reason I made it laminated and put it in the fridge specifically is that when the power goes out, you lose the ability to look things up. You cannot Google "how long can food last in a fridge without power" at 11pm when the power has just gone out. You need to have made the decision already, when you had time to think about it properly.

That is what this guide is: the decisions made in advance, so you do not have to make them under stress.

*This guide is written from a UK perspective but the protocols apply equally to any household. US-specific notes are included where relevant.*

First 15 Minutes: The Immediate Checklist

The first thing to do when the power goes out is confirm it is a supply problem, not a household problem.

Step 1: Check your fuse box. Look for a tripped circuit breaker. If one has tripped, reset it. If it trips again immediately, there is a fault in your household circuit — do not reset it again. If all breakers are in the correct position, the problem is the supply.

Step 2: Check with neighbours. If the houses on your street also have no power, it is a supply fault. If it is just you, suspect a household fault.

Step 3: Report the outage. In the UK, the number to call is on your electricity bill, or search for your Distribution Network Operator (National Grid does not take calls from households — your DNO does: Western Power, UK Power Networks, Northern Powergrid, etc.). In the US, call your utility company. Keep the number written in your laminated card — you cannot look it up when the power is out.

Step 4: Get light. A torch. Candles only if you have a proper holder and are not going to forget about them. The risk of a knocked-over candle in a darkened house is real.

Step 5: Charge your phone immediately. If you have a power bank (you should have one), plug in now. While your phone still has charge, send messages to people who need to know and look up any information you might need.

Step 6: Check the temperature. If it is winter, the boiler will not work without power — most modern gas boilers need electricity to run the controller and pump. Start thinking about warmth if the outage extends beyond a few hours.

First 2 Hours: The Fridge and Freezer Question

This is the decision most families get wrong.

The fridge:

A fridge keeps food safe for approximately 4 hours after power loss, provided the door stays closed. Every time you open the door, you shorten that window. My rule: do not open the fridge in the first 2 hours unless you need something specific.

After 4 hours, a fridge without power is in the danger zone (4–60°C or 40–140°F) for perishable food. Meat, dairy, and cooked food should be treated with caution after 4 hours at ambient temperature. When in doubt, throw it out.

In winter, a garage or outhouse is approximately fridge temperature. You can move critical items outside in a cool bag.

The freezer:

A full freezer maintains a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours. A half-full freezer maintains it for around 24 hours. The reason: the frozen items act as a thermal mass, keeping each other cold.

Rules: - Do not open the freezer unless necessary - A full freezer is significantly better than a half-full one (an argument for keeping it stocked) - If the power comes back within 24–48 hours and food still has ice crystals, it is safe to refreeze - If food has fully thawed, cook it — do not refreeze raw meat

If you have a chest freezer full of homegrown or stocked food, this 48-hour window matters. My EcoFlow DELTA 2 was bought specifically to keep the chest freezer running through extended outages — a 60–80W chest freezer runs for around 12–18 hours on a 1,024Wh battery. That covers most UK supply disruptions. See Best Solar Generator for Home Backup 2026 if you have a freezer worth protecting.

Staying Informed Without Power

Your phone works until the battery dies. The mobile network usually stays up during power outages (mobile masts have backup power), so you can get information for several hours.

The problem: if the outage is extended and widespread, mobile networks can become congested and you may not be able to charge your phone.

A hand-crank or battery-powered radio receives broadcast information without any infrastructure beyond the radio itself. The BBC broadcasts emergency information on Radio 4 (92–95 FM or 198 LW) in the UK during major disruptions. In the US, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts emergency alerts 24/7.

The Midland ER310 is a hand-crank and solar radio with a NOAA weather alert receiver, phone charging port, and LED torch. In a power outage it does three jobs: radio, light, and phone charger. At around $60 it is the single most useful piece of emergency kit for a power-specific scenario.

See Best Emergency Radio 2026 for a fuller comparison.

First 24 Hours: Running the Household Without Power

If the outage extends beyond a few hours, you move from reactive to managed.

Lighting: Candles with proper holders or battery or rechargeable lanterns throughout the house. Never use candles in rooms you are not in. We keep a rechargeable lantern in the kitchen and a head torch per adult.

Cooking: If you have a gas hob, it will work without power (the igniter will not, but a lighter or match works fine). Induction hobs need power. If your cooking is entirely electric, you need an alternative heat source.

Options for hot food without mains power: - Camping gas stove (propane or butane canister) — fast, controllable, works indoors with ventilation - BBQ or charcoal grill — outdoors only; never use indoors (carbon monoxide risk) - Kelly Kettle — for hot drinks from garden material; not for cooking

We keep a single-burner camping gas stove and a spare canister. We can make tea and heat a tin of soup. That covers 90% of what I need from a hob in 24 hours.

Water: Mains water pressure is maintained by pumping stations that have backup power. In most UK and US supply disruptions, mains water keeps running. The exceptions are when the outage is very widespread or directly affects pumping stations. Rural areas with private wells need electricity to run the pump — a separate consideration.

Heating: Most modern boilers need power. Electric storage heaters obviously need power. Options: electric blankets from a portable power station, layered clothing, body heat. The first 24 hours in a well-insulated house at UK temperatures is manageable in appropriate clothing.

After 24 Hours: Extended Outage Protocol

Contact your network operator again for an updated estimate. In the UK, if the outage lasts more than 24 hours you are entitled to compensation from your Distribution Network Operator under guaranteed standards of service.

Reassess food. Your freezer has used up most of its safety window. Assess what needs to be cooked and eaten.

Check on neighbours. Elderly neighbours, people with medical conditions, and families with young children are vulnerable in extended outages.

If you have a portable generator or solar generator, now is when you make deliberate choices about what to power: the freezer, essential medical equipment, heating if electric, phone charging. A 1,000–2,000Wh battery is not enough to run the whole house; it is enough to run the things that matter most.

After 72 Hours: If Power Is Still Not Back

A 72-hour outage is unusual in the UK or US but not unprecedented following major storm damage or infrastructure failure.

Water: A 72-hour outage may begin to affect water supply in some areas as pumping station generators run low. Use stored water for drinking and cooking if there is any doubt about tap water quality.

Heat: In winter, a house without heat for 72 hours will become genuinely uncomfortable for most people and dangerous for the elderly or very young. You need a heat source or you need to be somewhere with power.

Communication: If your phone has died and you cannot charge it, a battery radio keeps you informed. The Midland ER310 can recharge a phone via USB from its internal battery.

Support: Contact family, friends, or local authority services if needed. In a genuine extended emergency, do not try to manage entirely alone.

our Printable Quick Reference

The condensed version for a laminated fridge card:

Power out — first actions: 1. Check fuse box 2. Check with neighbours 3. Report outage (write your DNO/utility number here) 4. Get light 5. Charge phone now 6. Do not open fridge

Fridge rules: - Safe for 4 hours door closed - Open once for critical items - Move perishables outside in cold weather

Freezer rules: - Safe for 24–48 hours, do not open - Ice crystals still present = safe to refreeze - Fully thawed raw meat = cook, do not refreeze

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use my gas hob during a power cut?

Yes, if you have a gas hob. The burners work without electricity. The electronic igniter will not, but a lighter or long match lights them fine. Do not use a gas oven with an electronic control panel if you cannot verify the temperature setting without the display.

How long does a power cut usually last in the UK?

Most domestic power cuts last under 3 hours. Storm-related outages can last 12–24 hours for some customers. Major infrastructure failures can last 48–72 hours, but these are rare. Your DNO is required to provide an estimated restoration time — call them and ask.

Will my smart home devices work during a power cut?

No. Smart home devices, smart speakers, and connected heating controls all need power. This includes Hive, Nest, and similar smart heating systems — your heating will not respond to app commands. Know how to operate your heating manually before you need to.

Can I run my gas boiler from a generator?

Usually yes. A typical modern gas boiler draws 50–150 watts when running. A solar generator or inverter generator producing 500W or more will run it without issue. Check your boiler's power consumption in the manual. Use an inverter-type generator or solar generator rather than a conventional open-frame generator for electronics.

What about my sump pump?

Sump pumps draw 0.5–1.5kW when running, with a startup surge of 2–3x the running watts. A 2,000W generator will run most domestic sump pumps. A 1,000Wh solar generator will not — the startup surge exceeds the inverter rating of most portable units. If a functioning sump pump is critical to your property, factor this into your backup power planning.

Related Guides

Backup power: Best Solar Generator for Home Backup 2026 Emergency radio: Best Emergency Radio 2026 Staying warm: How to Stay Warm Without Central Heating Water storage: How Much Water Should Your Family Store?