Power cuts: what to expect and how to stay ready

Power cuts interrupt plans, spoil food and can feel stressful — especially when they last hours. If you live in a place that has rolling outages or sudden blackouts, a few simple steps can keep you safe, save money and stop panic. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide you can use right away.

What to do during a power cut

First, stay calm. Check if the outage is only in your home: look at your neighbours' lights or try the circuit breaker. If only your house is affected, reset the breaker or call an electrician. If the whole area is out, follow these quick actions:

• Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to preserve cold food. A full freezer stays frozen much longer than a half-full one.
• Unplug expensive electronics and appliances to avoid damage from power surges when electricity returns.
• Use battery-powered lamps or LED torches instead of candles to reduce fire risk.
• Charge your phone and power bank from your car only if needed, and avoid running car engines in closed spaces.
• If you rely on medical devices, move to a place with power or call emergency services immediately.

How to prepare and prevent damage

Preparation matters more than panic. Build a small outage kit and review it every few months. Put these basics in your kit:

• Charged power bank, LED torch, spare batteries, and a battery radio.
• Non-perishable food, bottled water, a manual can opener and basic first-aid items.
• Surge protectors for computers and TVs and a UPS for a home router or PC to keep communications and work running briefly.
• Alternative cooking options like a gas stove or a camping cooker; follow safety rules for indoor use.

For long or frequent outages, consider more robust options: a small inverter with a battery, solar panels with storage, or a generator. Each choice has trade-offs: generators need fuel and ventilation; inverters rely on battery health; solar needs upfront cost but lowers bills over time. Always get professional installation and follow safety rules — especially for wiring and fuel storage.

Businesses should map critical systems (servers, refrigeration, security) and invest in automatic transfer switches, redundant internet and a tested backup plan. Regular drills will show weak spots before a real outage hits.

Want to know when power will return? Use your local utility’s outage map, follow its social feeds, or join community WhatsApp groups. Report outages quickly — the faster utilities hear, the faster crews can respond.

Finally, small behavior changes reduce your risk of being hit hard by blackouts. Replace old bulbs with LEDs, run big appliances off-peak when possible, and keep devices on timers. These steps cut demand and lower your chance of being picked for load shedding when the grid is strained.

Power cuts are annoying, but with a few smart habits and a basic kit, you won’t be unprepared. Pick one upgrade this week — a power bank, a surge protector or a solar phone charger — and you’ll notice the difference next time the lights go out.