Power cut · step 1 of 5
Is it only your home?
Look out of the window and ask a neighbour. If only you are dark, check the fuse box.
Whole street dark: a grid fault, so wait. Energy emergency line: 991.
Power cut · step 2 of 5
First hour
Keep the fridge and freezer shut. Use torches, not candles. Put the phone on low power.
A closed fridge stays cold for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48. Unplug big appliances and leave one lamp switched on, so you notice when power returns.
Power cut · step 3 of 5
Keep warm, safely
Stay in one room and wear layers.
Never heat with the gas stove, and never burn charcoal or run a grill, camping stove or generator indoors: carbon monoxide kills. Check on elderly neighbours.
Power cut · step 4 of 5
Water and food
Fill bottles and a kettle: pumps in tall buildings stop. Do not use the lift.
Eat from the fridge first, then the freezer, then your stock. Keep insulin and other cold medicines in a cool bag.
Power cut · step 5 of 5
Stay informed
Use a battery radio (Polskie Radio Jedynka) and SMS alerts from RCB. Send SMS instead of calling, to keep the lines free.
When power returns, wait a few minutes before plugging things back in.