Use this sequence to make the first day of an outage easier to manage. Follow current local emergency instructions and individual medical contingency plans first.
First 10 minutes: people and information
Check your electricity provider’s outage information. Identify anyone depending on powered equipment or temperature-controlled medicine and follow their specific backup plan. Preserve phone battery and keep emergency contacts available offline.
First hour: light, food and water
Use battery lighting. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed and follow your local food-safety authority before using affected food. Do not taste food to test safety. Check for water notices and whether your supply depends on a powered pump.
Hours 1–6: allocate limited power
List essential devices and remaining battery runtime. Stop convenience loads if they could prevent essential use later. If the home becomes unsafe through heat, cold or medical dependence, seek help or safer accommodation early.
Keep combustion and electrical hazards out of the plan
Use portable generators outdoors, away from openings, according to manufacturer and local instructions. Never run them in garages or enclosed spaces. Do not use barbecues indoors or ovens as heaters. Never feed power into a household wall outlet. Keep clear of downed lines.
Hours 6–24: reassess
Check restoration updates, safe water, temperature, food, communications and medical needs. Check on neighbors when safe. Do not infer an outage’s length from its cause.
Equipment for a future gap
A tested torch, compatible power bank and locally suitable radio may be enough. See power buying criteria and radio choices. Plan purchases after immediate needs are safe.
Next action
Check the gaps in your outage plan.
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Primary references
UK Government Be Ready · Public Safety Canada emergency planning
Sources and scope
Solar Flare Innovations practical recommendations are separate from official guidance. Check current instructions where you live. Reviewed November 5, 2026. Find your country · Evidence standard
