Happening now?
A Malaysian terrace house at dusk in the rain, one window lit by a torch

Blackout

Hours to daysKeep the fridge shut. Keep calm on.

RIGHT NOW.

  1. 1Fridge stays shut. Cold food lasts about 4 hours.
  2. 2Unplug electronics before the surge comes back.
  3. 3Headtorches, not phone torches. Save the battery.
Call 999 Other emergencies

BEFORE. DURING. AFTER.

Blackout

Hours to days

Before

  • A lantern in every room, a headtorch on every bedside table.
  • Charged powerbanks, always. Rotate them monthly.

During

  • Fridge stays shut. Cold food lasts about 4 hours, a full freezer about 48.
  • Unplug electronics so the surge doesn’t fry them when power returns.
  • Check on elderly neighbours, especially anyone on powered medical equipment.

After

  • Sniff-test nothing. When in doubt, throw it out.
  • Recharge everything before you relax.

GO DEEPER.

5Water, fire, foodMaking water safe, three ways to make fire, eating without power. 2Tools and go-bagsPocket, door, house, car. Plus where to buy it. 9Make it yourselfEight builds, from a bottle water filter to a two-bucket toilet.