Be prepared for an electrical failure.
Know what to do.
When the electricity fails, be prepared.
About
As extreme weather like heatwaves, storms, bushfires, and cyclones increase, electrical failures could happen more often and last longer. Your electricity company will work to fix it, but it is important to know what to do.
This website is here to help you.
Imagine the lights suddenly going out, leaving you in the dark with no idea how long the power will be out.
With extreme weather, outages could be longer and more often. Planning ahead is essential. It’s easier to plan ahead when the lights are on.
This website is here to help you.
Follow these steps
Check.
Start by looking at the Electrical Failure Checklist to think about what you need to be prepared.
View checklist section
Plan.
Then, complete the Electrical Failure Plan for more detailed steps on how to be ready when the electricity fails.
View plan section
Do.
Start planning now, so you are prepared!
My Electrical Failure Checklist
Start thinking about what you need
1.
People
Talk to the people close to you about what to do.
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- Choose someone in your house to be in charge of your Electrical Failure Plan.
- Practise doing the things in your plan, like opening the electric garage door by hand.
- Find out if there are people nearby you should check on during an electrical failure, to make sure they are okay.
- If you live alone, share your plan with someone who can check on you to make sure you are okay.
2.
Needs
Think about what you will need.
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Have enough drinking water and food that you do not need to keep in the fridge for 3 to 7 days.
Remember: Do not forget to also have enough for your pets.
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Keep enough of your important medicines for 3 to 7 days.
Remember: If you use life-saving medical equipment at home, plan what you will do when the electricity fails.
Visit the Life Support Electrical Failure Plan website to be prepared.
- Keep your car fuelled or charged, especially during extreme weather warnings.
3.
Talking and receiving information
Think about how you will talk to people and receive information.
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- Keep your mobile phone charged and have a back-up electricity source, like a portable charger.
- Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio in case your internet and phone stop working, so you can stay updated on emergency information and weather conditions.
- Talk to people who live nearby and further away about checking if you are okay during an electrical failure.
4.
Light
Plan how you will see when the lights stop working.
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Make sure you have torches or battery-powered lights. You should have extra batteries in case these stop working.
Remember: Try not to use candles, so you do not accidentally start a fire. - Keep back-up lights in an easy-to-find place, in case you have to find them in the dark.
5.
Comfort
Keep your house comfortable.
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- Plan how to stay warm or cool without electricity (like closing your blinds/curtains).
- Keep extra blankets, warm clothing, and/or portable fans nearby.
- Have other ways to cook (like a camp stove or gas BBQ).
6.
Around your home
Keep your home and transport safe.
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- Know how to open and close garage doors, gates, and electric doors by hand.
- Think about how you will leave home in an emergency, like where you will go and how you can get there safely.
- Plan how to keep food you have in your fridge and freezer safe and fresh. Find more information here.
My Electrical Failure Plan
My plan, my way
1. Download
Download the digital documents to complete on your computer or print a hard copy and complete it by hand.
2. Create your plan
On computer
Once you have completed your plan on your computer, make sure to save the digital document and email it to others who can help.
By hand
Print the digital document and complete your plan. Once completed, do not forget to leave it in an easy-to-find place.
3. Email
You can also email a blank Plan to someone else for them to complete.
More information
Where to go for more information during electrical failures in your area
Find your electricity company below to get updates on electrical failures. Visit their websites or call them.
Queensland
New South Wales
If you live in Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter region, visit or call Ausgrid
If you live in Sydney’s Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast, visit or call Endeavour Energy
Victoria
If you live in Melbourne city and the inner-suburbs, visit or call CitiPower
If you live in the southern suburbs and Mornington Peninsula, visit or call United Energy Distribution
If you live in the western suburbs and western Victoria, visit or call Powercor Australia
If you live in the outer-northern and eastern suburbs and eastern Victoria, visit or call AusNet Services
South Australia
If you live in South Australia, in most places you can visit or call SA Power Networks 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
If you live far away from Adelaide city centre, you may receive electricity through your local council or similar company. Check your electricity bill or with someone who lives nearby if you are not sure.
Tasmania
Western Australia
Northern Territory
If you live in the Northern Territory, visit or call Power and Water Corporation
Find your local radio station/channel to receive important updates
1. Search
Visit reception.abc.net.au to find your local radio station/channel.
2. Write it down
Write the station/channel down, and keep it near the battery-powered radio in your emergency survival kit.
3. Change your car radio
You can also change the channel to one of your car radio saved stations.
Visit 'how to listen to abc radio in an emergency' for instructions.
Share
Share your ideas on social media!
Help other people to be prepared in an unplanned electrical failure.
Use these hashtags
#ElectricalFailurePlan
#CheckPlanDo
#KnowWhatToDo
Share
Supporters
Proudly supported by the Australian Medical Association
The Consumer Health Forum of Australia supports electrical failure planning for safety and wellbeing, especially for those using medical equipment in the home.
This plan is supported by The Energy Charter. The Electrical Failure Plan was created with help from our Customer + Community Outcomes Group (made up of customers and electricity businesses) through the #BetterTogether Community Resilience plan, see the full list of members here.
The Energy Charter is an organisation that joins community groups with electricity companies to make sure they put people’s needs first.
Our industry supporters AusNet and Endeavour Energy are leading this plan, with Ausgrid, Essential Energy and SA Power Networks working together with them.