The short answer
Use a torch, not candles. Check your fuse box and whether neighbours have power, then report the cut: call 105 free in England, Scotland and Wales, or 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland. Switch off cookers, heaters and irons, and unplug the TV and computer, which can be damaged by a surge when power returns. Keep fridge and freezer doors shut; GOV.UK Be Ready says they stay cold for several hours. Never use a barbecue or camping stove indoors, because of carbon monoxide. Check on neighbours; a corded landline may still work if mobiles don't.
Prints the checklist without the menus.
Do this now
- Torch, not candles.
- Report it: call 105 (England, Scotland, Wales). Northern Ireland: 03457 643643.
- Switch off cookers, heaters and irons. Unplug the TV and computer.
- Keep the fridge and freezer shut.
- No barbecue or camping stove indoors. Carbon monoxide.
- Check on neighbours.
Free: the Alert Action Card
The first six steps for a nuclear or radiation alert, a missile or air attack alert, no water from the tap and a power cut, on one page for the fridge, plus a phone version you can open offline. Every step checked against GOV.UK, UKHSA and Be Ready on 3 November 2026. No sign-up needed.
Print card (A4 PDF, light) Phone version (PDF)
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Step by step
1. Light, safely
GOV.UK Be Ready says torches are safer than candles. Keep one where you can find it in the dark, such as by the front door or bed.
2. Is it just you? Then report it
- Check your fuse box (consumer unit). If a switch has tripped, it may be your home only.
- Look outside: are neighbours' lights and street lights off too?
- Report it: call 105, free, in England, Scotland and Wales, or 03457 643643 in Northern Ireland (Be Ready). You can also check your network operator's live map: our power cuts near me page links them all.
3. Switch off and unplug
- Switch off cookers, heaters and irons, so nothing comes back on unattended.
- Unplug the TV and computer. Be Ready says they can be damaged by a surge when the power comes back.
4. Keep the cold in
Be Ready says keeping fridge and freezer doors closed keeps them cold for several hours. Our fridge and freezer timer helps you decide what to keep afterwards, using Food Standards Agency advice.
5. Heat and cook safely
The NHS says don't use a barbecue or camping stove indoors, and don't run engines in enclosed spaces such as a garage. They give off carbon monoxide, which you can't see or smell. If you have a carbon monoxide alarm, check it has a working battery.
6. Check on others
- Be Ready asks you to check in on neighbours and share blankets, warm clothes or food if you can.
- People who rely on powered medical equipment should be on the free Priority Services Register (sign up through your energy supplier).
- A corded landline may still work if mobiles don't (Be Ready).
Before the next one (10 minutes)
- Torch and spare batteries by the door.
- Charged power bank.
- Save 105 in your phone.
- Battery or wind-up radio.
- Check if anyone at home should join the Priority Services Register.
Last checked
Steps checked against GOV.UK Be Ready and the NHS carbon monoxide page on 3 November 2026. This is general information, not professional advice. Follow your network operator's instructions on the day. In danger? Call 999.
What to buy
About these links: plain links to ordinary retailer pages. We may earn from some links in future; we don't now. We haven’t tested these and we don’t rank them: they are examples that were in stock when we checked. Prices change. Check what you already own first. Full kit list
Torch or head torch, plus spare batteries
Look for: Runs on the same AA or AAA batteries as your other kit, so one spare pack covers everything. A head torch leaves both hands free.
- Alpkit Ionic 350 Lumen Head Torch · Alpkit · £15.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Intensity 155 LED Head Torch · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £19.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Alpkit Kula 550 Lumen Head Torch · Alpkit · £19.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Lifesystems Intensity 480 LED Hand Torch · Lifesystems (UK brand store) · £29.99 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Dynamo Powered Wind-Up Pocket LED Torch · EVAQ8 · £3.60 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
Battery or wind-up FM radio
Look for: FM (Be Ready asks for FM; DAB as well is fine). Both a crank and ordinary batteries, so you have two ways to power it.
Power bank
Look for: From a seller you know. Check the capacity (mAh) against your phone, and that you have the right cable for each phone. Keep it charged.
Spare batteries
Look for: The sizes your torch, radio and alarms take. Check the date on the pack.
Carbon monoxide alarm
Look for: A loud alarm in each room with something that burns gas, oil, coal or wood. Battery powered, so it keeps working in a power cut. A portable one can go with you into the room you use.
- FireAngel FA6813 Portable Carbon Monoxide Alarm 10 Year · Amazon UK · £13.98 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- FireAngel FA3820 Portable Carbon Monoxide Alarm 10 Year Battery · Amazon UK · £22.00 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
- Carbon Monoxide Detector & Alarm Portable Battery Powered (EN50291-1:2010) · EVAQ8 · £22.74 (price on 1 November 2026) Shop
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call in a power cut?
Call 105, free, in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland call 03457 643643. GOV.UK Be Ready gives both numbers.
Are candles safe in a power cut?
GOV.UK Be Ready says torches are safer than candles. Use a battery or wind-up torch.
How long will my fridge and freezer stay cold?
Be Ready says keeping fridge and freezer doors closed will keep them cold for several hours. Open them as little as you can.
Should I unplug things?
Yes. Be Ready says unplug your TV and computer, as they can be damaged by a surge when the power comes back. Switch off cookers, heaters and irons so they don't come back on unattended.
Can I cook on a camping stove or barbecue indoors?
No. The NHS says do not use a barbecue or camping stove indoors or inside a tent, and don't leave engines running in enclosed spaces. They can produce carbon monoxide.
Will my phone work?
Mobile networks may fail if the local mast loses power. Be Ready says a corded landline phone might still work in a power cut.
What is the Priority Services Register?
A free service for people with extra needs, such as medical equipment that needs power. Be Ready says you can sign up through your energy supplier.
Sources
We opened each page on the date shown. Official advice changes: if a source says something different now, follow the source.
- GOV.UK Be Ready: Power cuts (read 3 November 2026)
- NHS: Carbon monoxide poisoning (page last reviewed 16 December 2025) (read 3 November 2026)
- Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK): Food safety in a power cut, advice for consumers (read 2 November 2026)
Related guides
- Power cuts in the UK: what to do
- Fridge and freezer in a power cut: how long is food safe?
- Priority Services Register: a plain guide
- Who is my electricity network operator? UK power cuts by area
Free tools
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