Some power cuts last only a minute and are but a minor inconvenience to our day. Others, however, can last for hours or even days at a time, and it can be extremely difficult to cope without access to heat, light or power. London Electricians have listed below what you should do in the eventuality of an electrical power cut occurring:
Check Your Fuse Box
Look across to some of your neighbours – can you see if they still have on their lights? If so then the problem may not be to do with faulty power lines or a network issue but instead with your fuse box. Test your fuse box switches to see if one of the fuses has tripped or blown, or if there is an issue with the circuit breakers.
Should you discover a faulty appliance or faulty wires when checking your fuse box, we strongly advise that you do not try to fix this yourself as you could be electrocuted. Contact one of the expert engineers here at London Electricians who will come out and inspect the problem.
Unplug Appliances
Any electrical appliances that are attached to the wall – such as toasters, televisions and microwaves – should be unplugged in the event of an electrical power cut. Take a thorough look around the home as you will be surprised by how many appliances may connected to your home’s electrical circuit.
Unplugging appliances will ensure that they aren’t damaged by unexpected power surges that can occur as the lines are being tested or when electricity is restored. We do however recommend leaving one light switched turned on as an indication that power has been reinstated. Once you are confident that at least ten minutes have passed you can then go through and plug back in all of your appliances.
Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Closed
To preserve your food as much as possible during an electrical power cut, try not to open your fridge and instead consume goods from your cupboard or pantry. A fridge that remains closed will keep food cold for up to four hours, though it is always worth checking your manual for further advice and guidance. Freezers that also remain unopened and are full of compacted food will keep their contents frozen for up to a day.
Find a Light Source
Many of us will turn to candles when our houses are plunged into darkness, however even small tealights can present a hazard. When possible, use a battery powered or wind up electric torch as your main source of light in the event of an electrical power cut. If you do not have a torch available and must use candles then try and be as cautious as possible. Candles should only be lit when they are in your sight and must always be blown out upon exiting the room. Place them on a cold, hard surface away from anything flammable such as curtains and far out of each of pets or children.
Keep Warm
During the winter season your home may quickly become cold during an electrical power cut, particularly if your windows or walls are not properly insulated. Ensure that you wrap up in several layers – prioritising vulnerable people such as the elderly and children – and try to congregate together into one room. Moving around the room or doing light exercise will encourage good circulation and therefore promote warmth to the extremities.
Preserve Your Mobile Phone Battery
We recommend completely turning off your mobile phone to conserve battery life, or at least dim the screen brightness to the lowest setting available and close any apps running in the background of the phone. You may need to make an emergency call and most modern home phones will not work when there is a electrical power cut.
We hope that this blog has helped you feel more adequately prepared for loss of power in your home. If you are concerned about the safety of your fuse box or the electrical wiring within your property, don’t hesitate to contact the expert team at London Electricians today. You can reach us either by calling directly on 020 8728 9179 or by completing our contact form.
