What to Do in a Power Outage: Must-Dos During & After
Let’s face it. Power outages can (and usually do) happen unexpectedly. Especially during the cruelly hot summers in Australia when the grid is under high pressure, and non-stop.
Imagine spending hours without lighting, running water, air conditioning, and phone service. It’s not merely annoying; it’s a proper challenge to keep your family and home protected.
A planned outage for grid maintenance gives you a window of time to prepare. The thing is, not all power outages are planned. While prolonged outages can disturb your daily life, there are a few steps that you can take to reduce the inconvenience.
What to Do When Power Outage Happens?

Whether it is due to extreme weather events or even the doings of an odd possum, an unplanned power outage occurs when the network is compromised. Once the power supply is disrupted, you have no option but to face the situation.
And here’s the scary part…
If you are wondering how long do power outages last, the answer is that you can NEVER be sure.
Some months back, a thunderstorm left around 15,000 households in Western Australia without power. A spokesperson of the supplier, Western Power, explained to The Guardian, ‘’Current restoration times are unknown. Until our crews can thoroughly assess the damage and the repairs required, we cannot provide an accurate restoration time.”
Here are the steps to take during a power outage to make the situation less stressful.
- The first thing to check is the extent of the power outage. If your neighbour still has power check the circuit breaker panel or the fuse box of your home. Beyond that, check the supply lines connecting the grid to your house. In case they are damaged, keep a safe distance – around 10 meters – and call the emergency number of the network provider.
- If the entire area is affected by the outage, contact the distributor to know how long the power outage may last. Those located in the Perth metropolitan area can contact Western Power.
- Turn off appliances and tools that have an internal motor. These include air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, and furnaces. This is to protect them from a power surge when service is restored. Likewise, power outages are harmful to sensitive electronic devices like computers. So, turn them off to prevent potential hardware damage or data loss.
- Leave one or two lights turned on. This will alert you when the power returns.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer. With the door closed perishable food will remain preserved for longer periods. When the freezer is full and the door is closed, the items will remain safe for 48 hours. If it is half full, you can expect the food to remain fresh for 24 hours.
- While the modem or router in your home will not work, you can use the data connection on your mobile phone to stay connected.
- Use flashlights rather than candles. If candles are necessary, use proper candle holders and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
- If you are using a generator, make sure to read the manual on how to use it safely. Most importantly, do not use combustion-powered generators or gas stoves indoors. The risk here is too grave to be taken lightly—carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal!
- If the outage is due to adverse weather, gather all family members in a safe and comfortable place. When the outside temperatures are high, move to the lowest level of your home which will be the coolest portion. Extra comfort should be provided for infants, toddlers, the elderly, and those with any medical condition.
What to Do After a Power Outage?
So the supply has been restored. Great! Even so, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
- If your home was flooded, enter a flooded basement only after the power has been disconnected. Also, get flooded appliances, electrical outlets and panels checked thoroughly by a qualified electrician before you use them.
- In case the outage lasts more than 24 hours, sorting the food in the refrigerator becomes necessary. Thawed perishable food like meat, poultry, and fish exposed to temperatures above four degrees Celsius should be discarded. Thawed raw food can be cooked immediately and refrozen. Items like cheese blocks and baked goods can be refrozen as long as the container is intact. All in all, taking risks with the food is not worth it.
- If you are using a heating system, turn it on first. Then, reconnect the refrigerator and freezer. Wait for 5 -10 minutes before connecting the other devices to allow the surge power demand to come down.
How to Prepare for Power Outages?

Here’s the truth. The risks of power outages are increasing in Australia. The effects of El Nino are increasing the risks of such incidents by adding more stress on power grids. The combined effects of extreme heat and low rainfall can be a serious challenge for power service providers. On top of that, there are the effects of bushfires.
Needless to say, you do not want to be caught unprepared when during a sudden blackout. To avoid scrambling in the darkness stay prepared by taking the following steps. Power outages are not so dangerous when you remain prepared.
- Keep torches and batteries in a known location that is easily accessible. Using the torch on your smartphone is not a good idea as that will drain the batteries.
- Assess your electrical needs, especially for medical devices and refrigerated medicine. For devices like an oxygen concentrator or a CPAP machine, plan for using alternate power sources or battery backups. using a generator or a portable solar generator to keep the essential systems running is an option.
- Keep an emergency kit that includes food and drinks that can be consumed without heating or cooking. Other items to include are portable power supplies and a first aid kit. Keeping a reserve of at least three days’ worth of drinking water is a good idea.
- Prepare a support network for emergencies and keep a paper copy of the phone numbers and emergency websites you might need. Having a communication device that works without a battery – something like a crank or battery radio- is a good idea.
- If the outage is planned, make sure to keep the mobile phones and laptops fully charged. Or keep a power bank that’s fully charged! Also, the last thing you want is running out of fuel. So make sure to never let your tank go below one half in fuel.
What to Do in a Power Outage: FAQs
What is the first thing you do when the power goes out?
The first thing to do when the power goes out is to turn off appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners and sensitive electronics like computers.
How do I entertain myself during a power outage?
You can use board games and card games for your entertainment during a power outage. Solving a puzzle or entertaining yourself with charades is also a great idea.
What is the best option for a power outage?
The best option for tackling power outages is using a portable or fixed backup generator while following generator safety guidelines. Other options include using portable solar generators and battery backup or a UPS.