The lights go out, the wifi disappears and the kitchen suddenly falls silent. When the question is what to do first during a power outage, it's tempting to start hunting for flashlights or open the fridge to check the food. A better first step is to pause, get an overview and make your home safe. With a few calm priorities, you protect your family, your food and your ability to get the right information.
What do you do first during a power outage?
Start by checking whether the outage affects your whole home or just part of it. Look out the window without opening the front door unnecessarily. If streetlights, neighbouring houses and stairwells are dark, it's probably a larger outage. If only your home has no power, the fault may lie in the fuses, the residual-current device (RCD) or a single appliance.
Avoid resetting a fuse repeatedly. If the RCD trips again, there may be a fault in a connected product or installation. Unplug appliances you've used recently and contact a qualified electrician if the problem persists. If you smell burning, see sparks or suspect damage to the electrical installation, don't try to troubleshoot it yourself. Leave the area if needed and call 911 in an acute emergency.
Once you know your home is safe, the first few minutes come down to four things: light, information, food and warmth. Take them in the order that suits your situation.
Get safe light first
Fetch flashlights, headlamps or a charged emergency radio with a light. Place one light source where the family gathers and another near the bathroom or hallway. A headlamp is especially practical when you need to cook, help children or check the electrical panel with both hands free.
Candles can create a cosy atmosphere, but they shouldn't be your primary solution. During an outage it's easy to get distracted, and a candle near curtains, paper or sleeping children is an unnecessary fire risk. If you use candles, keep them stable, supervised and put them out before anyone leaves the room. Battery-powered light sources are a safer choice for longer outages.
Get information without draining your phone
Check the outage information from your grid operator if the mobile network is working. A short outage rarely needs more than patience, while information about a longer one helps you plan the next step. During major disruptions, your emergency alert system - such as the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts - can provide important local information. A radio that runs on batteries, solar or a hand crank is therefore more than a convenience - it gives you an independent way to get information when the internet and phone batteries become unreliable.
Put your phone in battery-saver mode right away. Lower the screen brightness, close apps that use data and avoid making unnecessary calls. Send a short message to loved ones about the situation instead. If you have a power bank, use it thoughtfully. Charge the phone that's needed most, not every device at once.
In acute situations, call 911. Don't call the emergency number to ask when the power will come back. For general information during major events, follow the current guidance from your local authorities.
When the power is out: protect food and water
The most helpful thing you can do for your refrigerated food is often to simply not open the fridge. Every opening lets the cold air escape. An unopened fridge normally keeps food cold for about four hours, but the time depends on room temperature, how full it is and how often the door is opened.
The freezer lasts longer. A full, closed freezer can often hold its temperature for up to two days, while a half-full freezer usually manages about one day. Don't spend time checking the contents at the start of the outage. Instead, write down when the power went out and only open it when you really need to take something out.
Plan meals around food that doesn't need refrigeration: drinking water, crispbread, canned goods, oats, nuts and other shelf-stable food. If you have a camping stove or other standalone cooking equipment, use it only as instructed and with good ventilation. Never use a grill, charcoal, propane heater or anything else meant for outdoor use indoors. They can release dangerous gases even if you air out the room.
The water supply often works at the start of a power outage, but that depends on local systems and how long the outage lasts. Don't fill every container in the house out of habit, but keep a thoughtful supply of drinking water and use it sparingly. If the municipality issues recommendations about water quality or boiling, follow them. A water purification solution is a good complement for preparedness, but it doesn't replace information from local providers when the water supply is affected.
Stay warm without creating new risks
During the warm part of the year, cold is rarely the most urgent problem. In autumn and winter, however, the temperature can drop noticeably, especially in houses or homes with electric heating systems. Gather the family in one room, close doors to rooms you're not using and draw the curtains when it gets dark. Body heat and a smaller area make a big difference.
Dress in layers instead of waiting until someone starts to feel cold. Dry socks, a hat, fleece and blankets work better together than a single thin cover. Emergency blankets and bivy bags can be especially useful if the house has gotten cold, if you need to rest in a room without heating, or if someone gets chilled easily.
Pay extra attention to small children, elderly people and anyone who is ill. Check regularly that they are warm, dry and have something to drink. If someone at home depends on electrically powered medical equipment, you need a specific plan in place before the outage. In a medical emergency, seek care or call 911.
Make your home calm and functional during the first hours
A power outage is easier when everyone knows where things are. Designate a fixed spot for flashlights, radio, spare batteries, power bank, first-aid kit, water and warm blankets. Then you don't have to search in the dark, and the children see that there's a plan.
Let everyday life continue on a smaller scale. Play cards, read aloud or gather around a simple meal. For children, a calm adult is often the clearest signal of safety. Briefly explain what has happened, what you're doing right now and that you're waiting for new information. You don't have to promise an exact time for when the power will be back.
If the outage lasts a long time, you can also think about practical details: keep exterior doors and windows closed, use your car's fuel sparingly and check that the smoke alarm works. Smoke alarms with battery backup usually keep working, but it's wise to know the status in your own home.
Prepare for next time while the memory is fresh
When the power comes back, you don't have to buy everything at once or build a complicated stockpile. Start with what solved the most concrete problem: was it light, information, charging, water or warmth that was missing? A simple emergency kit with a reliable flashlight, radio, spare batteries, power bank, first aid and solutions for water and warmth covers a lot for most households.
Stavera focuses on exactly that kind of practical tool - the things that let you communicate, see, stay warm and take care of your family when everyday systems briefly stop. Keep your equipment together, check the batteries a couple of times a year and make sure every adult in the home knows how to use it.
Safe preparedness isn't about expecting the worst. It's about being able to switch on a light, listen to the right information and keep your family warm without stress when it really matters.