Long blackout
Mains power is off across your area and there is no firm time for it to return.
Warning signs
- Severe weather warning or grid operator alert
- Power off for more than a few hours with no restoration time
- Neighbours and street lights also dark
Stay or go
Stay home if you can keep people warm or cool, safe and supplied. Go to a safe alternate location if your home becomes too hot or too cold, or a medical device cannot be powered.
Do now
- Run generators, camp stoves and grills only outdoors, at least 6 m (20 ft) from windows, doors and garages. (continuity-9)
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work on battery backup. (safety-10)
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed; a closed fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer about 48 hours. (thermal-25)
- Use torches and battery lights, not candles.
- Unplug sensitive appliances and electronics to protect them from surges when power returns.
Then
- Follow water advisories and boil water or use bottled water if told to.
- Throw out chilled food held at 4 C (40 F) or above for more than 4 hours.
- Replace refrigerated medicine after a day or more without power unless the label says otherwise, and call a pharmacist. (medical-14)
- Keep a battery, solar or hand-crank radio on for official updates. (comms-5)
- Keep some cash, since card payments may stop working even if shops open. (continuity-19)
- Check on neighbours and family when it is safe to do so.
Related steps
Sources
- Power outage safety tips. Ready.gov (FEMA), accessed 2026-11
- Basics of home emergency preparedness. Swedish Agency for Civil Defence (MCF), accessed 2026-11
- If crisis or war comes (municipal edition, 2024). Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) / Linkoping Municipality, accessed 2026-11