When the power goes out at dinner time, the first questions are usually quite ordinary. Where is the torch? How much charge is left on the phone? Can the fridge stay closed until morning?
A useful blackout plan answers those questions beforehand. You do not need to power every appliance in the house. Begin with light, communication, food and any needs that cannot wait.
Before an outage: put the basics within reach
Keep a working light somewhere you can reach without searching through a dark cupboard. Charge power banks regularly and store the right cables with them. A power bank with no compatible cable is just another thing to look for.
Try your setup on an ordinary evening. Can everyone find a light? Can you tune the radio? Does the charging cable fit with the phone case on? Five minutes spent checking can reveal more than a long equipment list.
If you need a hands-free light, compare our COB motion-sensor headlamp. Check its controls and charging requirements before adding it to the kit.
What to do when the power goes out
- Get a light and check that everyone in the household is safe.
- Note the time the outage began. You will need it when assessing refrigerated food.
- Check your electricity distributor’s outage information. In South East Queensland, use the Energex Outage Finder.
- Contact anyone who needs to know you are safe, then conserve phone charge.
- Leave the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible.
Stay away from fallen powerlines and damaged electrical equipment. If there is immediate danger, call Triple Zero. Do not investigate an electrical fault yourself or enter a flooded area to reach a switchboard.
Make a plan for fridge food
Food Standards Australia New Zealand advises that a fridge should keep food cold for around four hours during an outage; after that, food can begin to spoil. This is guidance, rather than a guarantee for every fridge or every food.
Keep the door closed and have an esky with ice bricks ready if possible. Follow the official guidance when deciding what to keep. Do not taste food to test whether it is safe.
Have a meal available that does not depend on the fridge or a working electric stove. Familiar ready-to-eat food is useful when you cannot safely cook outdoors.
Keep a way to hear updates
Phone reception and internet access may be unreliable. A battery radio gives you another way to hear local broadcasts without using your phone’s remaining charge.
The Philips TAR1509/00 radio is an option in our store. Whichever radio you choose, check reception at home, find your local station and keep suitable batteries beside it.
Choose backup power around a specific job
Write down what you actually need to charge or run. A phone, a laptop and a fridge have very different requirements. For a portable power station, compare battery capacity in watt-hours, output limits and the appliance’s starting requirements. An advertised wattage alone does not tell you how long it will run.
If someone depends on powered medical equipment, arrange an outage plan with their care team and equipment provider. Do not assume a general-purpose battery will provide suitable or uninterrupted power.
Petrol and diesel generators need particular care. Energex’s generator safety guidance explains the electrical risks and why connecting a generator to household wiring requires a licensed electrical contractor and a proper changeover arrangement. Never feed power into a wall socket.
Queensland Health also warns against using generators or portable camping stoves inside homes, garages, tents or caravans. Keep outdoor fuel-burning equipment away from openings where exhaust could enter. An open garage door does not make indoor generator use safe.
Once the power returns, recharge the equipment you used and replace missing supplies. Our household emergency kit checklist can help you spot the remaining gaps.