Prepare charged lights and communication, protect temperature-sensitive needs, know how to report the feeder fault and use generators or batteries only with safe ventilation and changeover equipment.
The safest outage plan avoids candles, indoor generator fumes and improvised back-feeding. It also separates a local premises fault from a wider network outage.
The essentials
- Whether neighbours or streetlights also lost supply.
- Essential medical, security and communication needs.
- Safe lighting and charged power banks.
- Generator ventilation and changeover condition.
What to check first
Start with the evidence already in front of you. A precise account, meter, product or safety detail is more useful than guessing from the outcome alone.
- Whether neighbours or streetlights also lost supply.
- Essential medical, security and communication needs.
- Safe lighting and charged power banks.
- Generator ventilation and changeover condition.
Step by step
Work through the existing transaction, account or installation in order. Keep the reference and result from each step before moving to the next.
- Switch off sensitive appliances and leave one light as a supply indicator.
- Check for a local trip only if the board is safe and familiar.
- Report the outage with feeder, account and location details.
- Reconnect heavy appliances gradually after stable supply returns.
Mistakes to avoid
These shortcuts often turn a traceable problem into a second payment, a lost evidence trail or a safety risk.
- Running a generator indoors or near windows.
- Back-feeding a building through a wall socket.
- Using candles near curtains, children or fuel.
When to escalate
Report fallen lines, damaged transformers, fire, sparking or electric shock as emergencies. A single-property outage with normal supply nearby may need an electrician after utility faults are ruled out.
Frequently asked
Should appliances stay plugged in during an outage?
Disconnect sensitive or high-load equipment and reconnect gradually after supply stabilises. Keep one safe light on as an indicator.
Can a payment platform restore a power outage?
No. Bill payment and token delivery are separate from network supply faults. Report outages to the serving electricity company.
Research sources
Official guidance, product information and public sources were reviewed on 27 July 2026.