Guides
Search plainly for what's happening. Try "lights gone off", "phone doesn't work" or "police told us to leave".
Gas leak & carbon monoxide
What to do if you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide at home — the safe, fast steps and the free emergency numbers.
Read guidanceEating safely without normal refrigeration or cooking
A power cut affects your fridge, freezer or cooker.
Read guidanceFood / supply-chain disruption
Staying calm and prepared during food or supply-chain disruption.
Read guidanceFuel disruption
What to do if fuel supplies are disrupted in the UK.
Read guidanceInternet outage
What to do when home broadband or wider internet access goes down.
Read guidanceKeeping warm and preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
Heating fails, particularly during cold weather.
Read guidanceManaging a power cut lasting days or weeks
There is no reliable restoration time and essential services may fail together.
Read guidanceThe first hours of a power cut
Your electricity goes off.
Read guidanceToilets, wastewater and hygiene when services fail
Water is unavailable, drains are backing up or authorities advise that sewage systems are not working.
Read guidanceUsing backup power safely
You are considering batteries, solar backup or a portable generator.
Read guidance