Who is Most at Risk?
People who rely on electrically powered medical equipment, those with mobility difficulties, elderly people living alone, and households with young children or infants are most vulnerable during a power cut. Businesses and those who work from home may also be significantly affected.
Before
- Keep torches with fresh batteries in accessible locations around your home. Consider rechargeable ones kept charged.
- Invest in a battery-powered or wind-up radio to receive GBC Radio updates (91.3 FM / 1458 AM) without power.
- Keep mobile phones and portable battery banks charged regularly.
- Know where your fuse box is and how to operate it safely.
- Keep a small supply of non-perishable food and bottled water at home.
- If you or someone in your household relies on powered medical equipment, register with Gibelec as a priority customer and discuss a contingency plan with your healthcare provider.
- Keep a note of Gibelec’s contact number for fault reporting.
- Consider how you would heat or cool your home if power were lost during extreme weather.
During
- Switch off electrical appliances at the wall to prevent damage from power surges when electricity is restored.
- Leave one light switched on so you know when power has been restored.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible — food will stay cold for several hours if the door is kept shut.
- Use torches rather than candles where possible — candles are a fire hazard.
- If you must use candles, place them in sturdy holders away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.
- Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
- Report the fault to Gibelec so they can assess and restore supply.
- If the power cut affects medical equipment, call 999 immediately.
After
- When power returns, restore appliances gradually — avoid switching everything on at once.
- Check fridge and freezer contents — if food has been at room temperature for more than two hours, it may be unsafe to eat. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Reset clocks, alarms and any equipment that requires reconfiguration.
- Recharge torches, power banks and any backup devices for future use.