Power outages can be caused by severe weather, such as lightning, floods, heatwaves, bushfires or high winds, or by trees contacting powerlines. Animals, car accidents or digging near underground powerlines can also cause interruptions to power.
In most cases, power will be restored quickly, however it can sometimes be longer depending on the nature of the disruption.
With a little be of knowledge and pre-planning you can minimise the impact of power outages on you and your family.
Before the power goes out – get prepared
Power outages can occur at any time. To prepare, you should have a plan and an emergency kit, which includes:
- Access to a charged mobile phone. Have a mobile battery/power pack or car phone charger that you can use to charge your mobile phone.
- A torch or a battery operated light.
- Alternative cooking facilities such as a BBQ. Keep in mind that some gas appliances may still require electricity to operate them.
- A battery-powered radio. Stay tuned to news services to get updates on weather conditions and power outages. A radio is a valuable source of information if mobile phone towers are damaged during an emergency and you lose mobile phone reception.
- Access to fresh water. If you use electricity to run a water pump, make sure you have an alternative source of fresh water such as bottled water.
- Important contacts. Consider and store important numbers somewhere safe and easy to find in case of a power outage. You can find a list of important telephone numbers here.
- Visit your electricity distributor’s website to learn how your distributor can provide you with information during a power outage. Your electricity distributor may providing information using their website, SMS alerts, mobile apps, social media or email.
Consider your needs and your family’s needs. More information on taking care of your family, including care of young children in an emergency go to the Better Health Channel: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/emergencies--coping-without-gas-or-electricity
If you or someone in your home are dependent on power due to medical or special needs you should:
- Contact your electricity retailer (the company you pay for your electricity) and tell them about your needs. Make sure they have your up-to-date contact details.
- If you rely on power dependent devices, for example a medical alert device, it is recommended that you contact your device provider about the operation of your device during a power outage.
- More information is available at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning – Safety and emergencies page www.energy.vic.gov.au/safety/power-outages
If you have solar panels, be aware that your power will still go out unless you have a battery storage system set up for off-grid operations.
During a power outage
Getting information during an emergency
During an emergency you may lose power. Fires, storms and floods can damage phone networks so you may not have phone reception. Plan ahead so you have a multiple ways to receive information during an emergency.
- Use your mobile phone to call VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
- Use your mobile phone to access information through the VicEmergency app or website.
- Use a battery powered radio to listen to radio.
- If you have a siren in your area pay attention if it sounds for more than five minutes – an emergency is occurring.
NBN connected landline phones will not work during a power outage. You will not be able to call Triple Zero (000) using your home phone. You can find out more information on NBN and power outages here: https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/learn/what-happens-in-a-power-blackout.
What to do if a power outage occurs
- Check your neighbour's house to see if they have also lost power. If your neighbour has power on, then check to see if your safety switch has been tripped.
- Check your electricity distributor’s website to get an estimate time until power is restored.
- Turn off appliances to protect them from a power surge when power is restored. It is a good idea to keep one light switched on so you know when the power is restored.
Stay safe
- Keep clear of fallen powerlines and keep others away.
- Use battery powered torches and lighting. Torches are much safer sources of light than candles. Make sure you have a good stock of batteries.
- Be careful when using candles and other open flames – keep naked flames away from flammable material. Make sure to extinguish all candles before retiring for the night.
- Never use portable power generators (gas or petrol) or outdoor gas heaters inside. These produce carbon monoxide gas which is invisible and does not have a smell. It can build up in your home, garage or caravan and cause sudden illness, loss of consciousness and even death.
- Don't try to connect temporary generators to household wiring. 'Do It Yourself' electrical work is very dangerous and illegal.
- If the power has been cut due to storm damage to your house, get a licensed electrician to ensure it is safe before any repairs are carried out.
Keeping cool without power
- Drink water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
- Keep cool – wet a face cloth and place it on your head, hands or feet. Dress in light and loose clothing made from natural fabrics.
- Keep in touch with sick or frail friends and family. Call them at least once a day.
- Go to somewhere cool if it is safe to do so. Pools, local libraries or shopping centres with power and air conditioning are all places you can go to try and keep cool.
Keeping warm without power
- Multiple layers of clothing trap body heat more efficiently than one bulky layer.
- The body loses a great deal of heat through the scalp so wear a hat.
- Close doors, windows and blinds to maintain heat.
Food storage and safety
Foods such as poultry, meat and dairy products must be kept chilled. If you are without electricity and the use of your refrigerator, suggestions include:
- Try to keep cold and frozen food as cold as possible. If food is still cold to touch, less than 5°C, it is safe to use. Once cold or frozen food is no longer cold to touch, 5°C or above, it can be kept and eaten for up to four hours and then it must be thrown away.
- If you don’t know how long your food has been unfrozen or not cold to the touch, throw it away.
- Eat hot food within four hours of it being hot or throw it away.
- If available, put bagged ice under food packages and trays stored in freezers and fridges if power failure lasts more than 1 hour.
- Only open fridge and freezer doors when absolutely necessary, this will keep the food and air temperature colder for longer.
Preparing food
- If you do not have gas or electricity, cook foods outside on the barbecue. Never use a barbeque inside a home, tent or caravan. Outdoor cooking appliances, like barbecues, produce carbon monoxide which is an invisible and odourless gas.
- Use foods that don’t require cooking, such as fruit, vegetables, canned foods, breads and breakfast cereals.
Be a good neighbour
- Check and offer support to neighbours and relatives, particularly if they are elderly or have a disability.
After a power outage
- Give the electrical system a chance to stabilize before reconnecting appliances.
- Reset electronic devices such as clocks, timers, alarms, network routes and other essential items.
- If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that needs to be refrigerated, unless the label on your medication says otherwise. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Restock your emergency kit.
- Check food in fridges and freezers for signs of spoilage. If frozen food is no longer solidly frozen it should not be refrozen.
