Power failure

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The power can go out at any time.

Power failure can happen for many reasons, including unplanned outages due to weather, technical faults or planned maintenance works.

Preparing for power failure

Here's what you need to know so you're prepared.

Generators, outdoor heaters and similar items and cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use them outdoors.
Make sure your water is safe to drink. Check with local authorities.
In hot weather, stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related illness.
In cold weather, wear layers of clothing to keep in body heat.
Stay away from powerlines that have fallen. If a powerline falls on a car, stay inside your car and wait for help.

Special needs

If you must always have power, make sure your electricity retailer knows so they can contact you if the power fails. Give them your current contact details.

Reasons for an uninterrupted supply of power include:

are on life support equipment
have a medical condition that needs continuous power supply
have any other special needs.

Food safety

Power outages can affect our food quality. Here are some tips for keeping your food safe during a power blackout.

Try to keep food in the fridge and freezer cold. If food is still cold to touch (less than 5 degrees Celsius), it is safe to use.
Once cold or frozen food is no longer cold to touch (5 degrees Celsius or above) you can keep it and eat it for up to four hours, then thrown away.
If it is raw meat, you should cook and eat it.
Eat hot food within four hours of it being hot or throw it away.
If the power comes back on when frozen food is still cold to touch, (less than 5 degrees Celsius), the food is safe to refreeze.

Other ways to keep food safe

There are other ways to protect food if you're concerned.

Move food from the fridge to the freezer.
If the power is off for over an hour, put bagged ice under food packages and trays stored in freezers and fridges
Put a thick blanket over cold or frozen food.
Only open fridge and freezer doors when absolutely necessary. This will keep the food and air temperature colder for longer.

More information

You can find further information on the following sites:

Need help?

Or call our Emergency Management team on 9298 8000.