Safety alarms
Most alarm systems have a battery backup to make sure that they store entry codes and other system information in the event of a power cut. If you're concerned about your alarm system, it's best to contact us.
How can I prepare for a power cut?
Power cuts can happen at any time and are often unexpected. However, there are some things you can do to make sure you're prepared.
- Make sure your mobile phone is charged and on you at all times in case you need to use it.
- Keep torches, extra batteries, portable chargers and spare blankets in a place you can easily get to in the dark.
- Stock up on non perishable foods such as long life milk, dry foods and tinned goods.
- Make sure you have foods that you can prepare without electricity such as fruit, salad, cereal, bread and tinned meats.
- Consider buying a battery-powered radio to keep up to date on local updates if you can’t use your mobile.
- Make sure any medical equipment has a back-up battery
- Sign up to the priority register if you're eligible.
What is the priority register?
The priority register is a list of people who need extra care and or support in an emergency. You may be eligible if you:
- are state pension age or over
- have a disability or long term medical condition
- use medical equipment that needs a power source
- live with young children
- are pregnant
- would struggle to get to the door in an emergency
If you’re on the priority register you will:
- be notified about planned power cuts
- receive priority support in an emergency
- get help to move your meter if you can’t access it safely
- be able to request information in accessible formats such as braille or large print
Energy suppliers (the company you pay your bills to) and DNO’s (the company that are responsible for the electricity towers and cables) both keep a Priority Services Register. If you think you should be added to either, you should contact them directly. You can find more information about the priority register here
Things to check if you think you've had a power cut
If you find yourself without power the first thing you’ll need to do is check your electricity meter.
- If you have a prepayment meter check if you have credit on the meter, if you don’t you’ll need to activate your emergency credit or top up for your electricity to come back on.
- If your meter is off, you should check with your neighbours to see if they have power. If it's dark outside, check if the street lights are on. If your neighbours don’t have power and the street lights are off then it is likely to be a power cut.
What if my neighbours have power?
- If your neighbours have power and your meter is on there may be a fault within your home. You should check your fuse box next.
- If your neighbours have power and your meter is off, you’ll need to contact your energy supplier. This is the company you pay your bills too. They’ll be able to arrange an emergency appointment to repair or replace your meter.
If you’ve ruled out a power cut and have credit on your meter you’ll need to check your fuse box to see if you have a tripped switch.
What is a tripped switch?
Fuse boxes (also known as consumer units) have many switches, these will remain up in the on position until a fault ‘trips’ one or all of the switches and moves them down to the off position. Trips can be caused by a light bulb blowing, a faulty appliance or a circuit which has been overloaded.
How do I know if I have a tripped switch?
- Open the cover to your fuse box so that you have a clear view of the switches. If any of them are down you have a tripped switch.
- Push it back up, if it will not stay up you may have a faulty appliance in your home and you'll need to do an appliance test (guide set out below).
What if I don't have a tripped switch?
- If none of the switches are down, turn off the main switch followed by all of the others, one by one.
- Next turn the main switch back on and all the others one by one. If one of them goes back down, you may have a faulty appliance. You’ll need to carry out an appliance test.
- If all of the switches stay up and you have already checked your meter and checked with your neighbours, call us on 0345 60 20 540.
How do I carry out an appliance test?
1) Turn all the lights off in your home, remove all plugs from the sockets and make sure they are turned off. This includes your fridge, washing machine and boiler.
2) Once everything is plugged out and switched off, push the tripped switch back up to the 'on' position again.
3) If it does not go up after unplugging everything call us on 0345 60 20 540 to report an emergency repair
If the switch does go up, you can start plugging in your appliances and turning the switches on one by one until one of them trips the switch. The appliance that trips the switch may be faulty.
4) Reset the fuse box and continue plugging in the rest of your appliances. You may have more than one faulty appliance.
5) Once you have identified which appliance is faulty, make sure that it is PAT tested by a qualified electrician before you use it again.
What if I have no power?
If you have confirmed that there's a power cut in your area you should contact your Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Your DNO is responsible for the electricity towers and cables that bring power to your home, they are not the company you pay your bills to.
You can find out who your DNO is here or by calling 105 for free. They’ll put you in touch with a local operator who will be able to give you some advice.
Keeping safe during a power cut
- Make sure you unplug or turn off electric heaters, fires, cookers, irons and hair straighteners in case you forget they’re on when the power comes back on.
- Torches are much safer than candles. If you must use candles make sure they are on a flat surface away from anything flammable and out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave a lit candle unattended.
- If it’s winter wear warm clothing or cover yourself with blankets to keep warm.
- Try not to use your mobile phone, laptop or tablet unless it's necessary. This will save the battery life for when you need it most.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
- Keep a light switched on so that you know when the power is back.
Protect your appliances
- There may be electrical surges whilst the power is off, these surges can damage devices such as phones, TVs, laptops and tablets. Unplug sensitive or expensive appliances that are not surge protected to keep them safe.
- Try not to open your fridge or freezer as this lets warm air in. Your food can stay cold for up to 4 hours in a fridge, up to 24 hours in a half full freezer and up to 48 hours if your freezer is full.
- With a power cut, your gas boiler will reset itself, if it doesn't or you have any issues with it, please ring us on 0345 60 20 540.
Take extra care in a power cut
Communal door entry systems
During a power cut communal door entry systems will default open. This means that the magnets keeping the doors locked closed will not work. You should take extra care and keep your own front door locked and the key accessible in the event of a power cut.
