During a power cut

What to do during a power cut:

• use torches rather than candles;
• if using candles 
  • place them on appropriate stands that are safe such as candle sticks or candle holders;
  • keep them out of the reach of children;
  • never leave them unattended;
  • extinguish them before leaving a room and going to sleep;
• when using wood-fired, coal, gas or oil heating, keep the room ventilated to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning;
• only open fridge or freezer doors when absolutely necessary (by keeping the doors closed a full freezer can keep food frozen for between 24 and 36 hours);
• avoid making phone calls unless absolutely necessary and send text messages instead;
• close doors, windows and curtains in order to retain heat in your home;
• if the water supply is still functioning make sure you set aside water provisions;
• never use heating or lighting equipment or wood-burning stoves inside your home that were designed for outside use or camping (charcoal or propane barbecues, camping stoves or propane wood-burning stoves) as they produce carbon monoxide, a colourless and odourless gas which can cause health problems and even death;
• limit your trips outside, in particular car journeys as traffic lights may not be functioning;
• in order to avoid damage caused by an electricity surge when the power is switched back on
  • unplug all sensitive domestic electronic devices such as televisions, computers, microwaves, DVD players, fridges and freezers;
  • turn the boiler thermostat down to minimum.

In the event of danger or an emergency, call 112.