You’re in the middle of watching your favourite TV show or preparing a bite to eat after work, when suddenly the electricity turns off. There’s never a good time to lose power, but with this guide you can make the situation as painless as possible.
If you're experiencing an outage, first check with your distributor - the company responsible for the poles, wires and pipes in your network area. See the list of EnergyAustralia distributors and their contact numbers.
Locate the source of the problem
There are a number of reasons why the electricity in your house might go off, so the first thing to do in the event of a blackout is to check if the problem is inside your home; for example, a faulty appliance or broken light bulb might have blown a fuse or switched off the supply. You can do this by checking your trip switches or fuses to see if there is a fault with your wiring or an appliance. If the trip switch is set to the ‘off’ position or the fuses have blown, it’s likely that you have a faulty appliance or are having problems with your wiring. If you don’t feel confident tackling the issue then it’s worth calling in an electrician.
However if this isn’t the case – and your neighbours are also experiencing a power outage – you need to safety-proof your house for the duration of the cut.
Switch off your appliances
During a power outage you should turn off all appliances, but keep one light on so that you know when the power comes back on. While most of your appliances will be fine without power, your fridge and freezer might start to thaw so it’s important to keep the doors closed so the contents stay cool for as long as possible. Once the power comes back on, make sure any frozen food has not defrosted or any refrigerated food hasn’t spoiled.
It’s important to ensure that any heaters and cooking appliances that use electricity are also switched off and clear of any debris that could be a fire hazard, such as tea towels or kitchen paper.
Preparation is key
You might have taken steps to make your home more energy efficient, but have you thought about how your household would cope with no electricity?
You need to plan ahead by making sure you have alternative forms of heat and light, such as torches fitted with new batteries, candles and matches, battery-operated heaters or portable gas fires. However, be extra careful with open flames in the home; make sure you place them on a non-flammable surface away from curtains and soft furnishings, and never leave them unattended.
A power outage can make us realise how much we rely on energy in our day-to-day life. Are you on the right energy plan for your energy use? Use EnergyAustralia’s free and easy-to-use online energy calculator to find the right plan for your household.
FAQs
In general, it is important to be honest and upfront with your employer if you are unable to come to work due to a power outage or any other unforeseen circ*mstance. They will likely understand and be willing to work with you to find a solution.
How do you respond to a power outage? ›
Power Outage Tips
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
- Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
- Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
Blog
- 7 Tips to Prepare Yourself for a Prolonged Power Outage. Posted by Kristopher Schwind. ...
- 1 – Let There be Light. ...
- 2 – Stay Connected. ...
- 3 – Don't Go Hungry. ...
- 4 – Preserve Your Freezer. ...
- 5 – Keep Busy. ...
- 6 – Have a Plan B. ...
- 7 – Stay Ahead of the Game.
In general, it is important to be honest and upfront with your employer if you are unable to come to work due to a power outage or any other unforeseen circ*mstance. They will likely understand and be willing to work with you to find a solution.
How do you respond to a system outage? ›
What is the best way to respond to a customer complaint about a service outage?
- Acknowledge the problem. Be the first to add your personal experience.
- Provide information. Be the first to add your personal experience.
- Offer a solution. ...
- Confirm satisfaction.
- Learn from the experience. ...
- Here's what else to consider.
A power outage (also called a powercut, a power out, a power failure, a power blackout, a power loss, or a blackout) is the loss of the electrical power network supply to an end user. Vehicle lights provided the only illumination during the 2009 Ecuador electricity crisis.
Can you flush the toilet when the power is out? ›
Depending on the amount of water remaining in the pipes, you might be able to flush your toilet several times while the power is out. Eventually, however, your tank won't fill up anymore because the pumps are down. When this happens, you will need to flush your toilet manually by pouring in a bucket of water.
How long do most power outages last? ›
Outages typically last 1-2 hours.
How do you occupy yourself during a power outage? ›
15 Things To Do For Fun When The Power Goes Out
- Get out the board games. ...
- Workbooks, puzzles, or coloring books are a great way to relax and pass time. ...
- Bring back charades! ...
- Get out your instruments and make some music.. ...
- Use your artistic skills and spend time drawing, painting, or crafting. ...
- Exercise or do yoga.
Dear [Manager's Name], I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to inform you that a power outage has occurred in my area, significantly affecting my ability to work remotely today.
Household emergencies.
You can't predict every single thing, and sometimes random issues that can prevent you from getting to work just happen. Whether it's a power outage, a burst water pipe or an upstairs neighbor flooding your newly renovated bathroom, your employer should understand.
How do you write a power outage message? ›
Power Outage Alert in Specific Location
Currently, there is a power outage in your area [Location]. Our dedicated team is actively engaged in efforts to swiftly restore power. We value your patience and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this situation may bring.
How do you communicate with a power outage? ›
Walkie talkies or multi-pack handheld radios may be an option to communicate short distances. Satellite phones are an expensive but reliable way to communicate when power is out and can be purchased online.
How do you say when electricity goes off? ›
We also say: The electricity went out. The electric lines are down. (If they are the old fashioned electric lines on electric poles.)
Do I need to flip the breaker after a power outage? ›
Turning off power breakers has been a common practice for homeowners during a power outage. However, turning them off and on again plus repeatedly flipping the switch can cause an electrical hazard or at the very least, some damage. The best thing to do is to leave it as is during a power outage.
