Explore the power cuts hub

Use this year-round list to decide what your household needs during a power cut. Keep the kit in one known place, then add items for children, pets, medicines, mobility or powered equipment. The list is a starting point. The useful kit is the one people can find and use. You can also read GOV.UK emergency preparation advice and choose the items that suit your home.

Light

Keep a torch for each person, a head torch for hands-free tasks, a battery lantern for a shared room and spare batteries that fit your lights. A torch is easier to move around with than a candle. If you use candles, follow the fire safety advice and never leave one unattended. See our guide to choosing a torch for home use.

Power for phones and devices

Keep a charged power bank for phones and small devices. For other equipment, a portable power station may suit some needs, but check the device requirements and maker’s instructions first. Our guides compare models, including power banks and portable power stations, portable power stations and Jackery and EcoFlow models. For heating questions, read whether a power station can run a heater or boiler. Don’t rely on a consumer power station for medical equipment without a plan from the equipment supplier and clinical team.

News and updates

A battery or wind-up radio gives you another way to hear updates. Our guides cover choosing a wind-up radio and UK radio frequencies. Home broadband and digital landlines may stop working when the power is off. Read how digital voice and broadband can be affected.

Warmth

Set aside warm layers, sleeping bags, blankets and reusable hand warmers. Follow the instructions for any heated item. Read ways to keep warm without heating. Never use a camping stove or outdoor heater indoors. The NHS explains the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with fuel-burning appliances and follow its instructions. See our guide to camping stoves and heaters indoors.

Food and water

Choose food that needs no cooking and suits everyone at home. Keep a manual tin opener with tins that need one, drinking water and a cool box if it fits your household plan. Read how much water to store, how to manage fridge and freezer food and ideas for no-cook emergency meals. Follow the advice on the water pack and current food-safety guidance.

Health

Keep a first aid kit and a written plan for medicines and powered equipment. Ask a pharmacist or clinician how to store and use medicines if the power goes off. Read our guides to a prescription medicines plan, medical equipment during a power cut and the Priority Services Register.

Contacts and paper

Write down 105 for Great Britain, the NIE Networks contact for Northern Ireland, your local network operator and the contacts your household may need. Add a household contact sheet and some cash if you use it in your wider plan. Read how to report a power cut on 105, NIE Networks’ Northern Ireland contact details and our guide to cash and card disruption.

Where to keep the kit

Keep one box in a place everyone knows. Put a torch beside each bed as well. Check the kit every six months, replace anything you’ve used and recharge devices. Our guide to checking your kit every six months has a routine to follow. You can also sign up for the newsletter for a reminder.

Make the list yours

Use the household kit builder to keep track of what you already have and what your home still needs. Print or save a missing-items list, then choose what suits your household. Some links on this page are affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Common questions

What should I have at home for a power cut?

Start with light, a charged phone power bank, a way to hear updates, warm layers, no-cook food, drinking water, first aid supplies and paper contacts. Add items for your household’s health and access needs.

Are candles safe in a power cut?

A torch or battery lantern avoids an open flame. If you use candles, follow the fire safety advice and never leave one unattended.

Do I need a power station or is a power bank enough?

A power bank may suit phone charging. A power station can supply some other devices, but check its specifications and the device maker’s instructions. For medical equipment, agree a plan with the supplier and clinical team.

Can I use a camping stove indoors?

No. The NHS says not to use a camping stove indoors because it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

How often should I check my power cut kit?

Check it every six months, replace anything you have used and confirm that stored devices still charge and work.

Sources

Sources checked 4 November 2026. The GOV.UK address redirects to a branded campaign page; no campaign wording is used here.