Emergency & Power Cut Phone Numbers

National numbers

Power cut safety

• ⚠️
  Fallen power lines

  Keep well back (at least 10 metres / 33 ft is a common guide) from fallen wires and anything touching them – treat them as live. Call 105, or 999 if there is danger to life.

• 🏠
  Generators and barbecues outside only

  Run petrol or diesel generators well away from doors and windows – never indoors or in a garage. Never bring a barbecue or camping stove indoors. Carbon monoxide is invisible and deadly.

• 🔔
  Carbon monoxide alarms

  Fit a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm. If it sounds, get outside into fresh air and call 999. For a suspected gas leak call 0800 111 999.

• ❄️
  Food safety

  Keep fridge and freezer doors closed: an unopened fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full). The fridge should stay below 8 °C.

• 🔦
  Use a torch, not candles

  Keep a torch and spare batteries to hand. Candles are a fire risk – if you must use one, put it in a stable holder and never leave it unattended.

• 🔌
  Unplug electronics

  Unplug sensitive appliances to avoid damage from surges when power returns. Leave one light switched on so you know.

• 🌡️
  Heat & cold

  Wear layers and close off unused rooms. For non-emergency health advice call NHS 111; call 999 in an emergency. Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

• 💊
  Medical devices and extra support

  If you rely on powered medical equipment, join your network operator’s free Priority Services Register and keep a backup plan.

• 🚦
  Dark traffic lights

  Treat junctions with dark signals with great caution, as if the lights were not there.

More: Priority Services Register · Power cut compensation · Power Cut 105

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