Power cut: what to do, step by step
Blackout, darkness. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone app and work without internet.
First, right now
- Check whether it is only your home: fuse box, stairwell lights, neighbours' windows.
- Unplug computers, TVs and chargers. Leave one lamp switched on so you know when the power is back.
- Save your phone battery: power-saving mode, lowest brightness, close apps you don't need.
Then
- Use torches, not candles. Candles are a common cause of fires during outages.
- Keep the fridge closed. It stays cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer for about 2 days.
- If you live high up in a block of flats, fill bottles and the bath now. Water pumps may stop and the water with them.
- Listen to a battery radio or the car radio for official updates.
- Check on older neighbours and people who live alone.
- If it gets cold, open the scenario "Cold, no heating".
When to call 112
Someone depends on powered medical equipment, or several people have a headache, nausea and drowsiness (possible carbon monoxide).
What not to do
- Never heat your home with a gas cooker, barbecue or generator. Risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Don't use the lift.
- Don't leave candles unattended, especially around children.
See also
Keep it on your phone
SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.
Other scenarios
- 🥶 Cold, no heating
- 🚱 No water or unsafe tap water
- 🌊 Flood, water coming in
- 🎒 Evacuation in 10 minutes
- 🔥 Fire in the building
- 🌡️ Heatwave
- 🌪️ Storm, strong wind
- 🚀 Air attack: missiles, drones, bombs
- 📢 Sirens, alarm, air contamination
- 📵 No signal, no internet
- ❤️ Someone is unconscious
- 🌍 Earthquake
- ⛵ Storm at sea, no internet
- 🚗 Road accident
- ☠️ Carbon monoxide or gas leak
- ❄️ Stuck in a car in a snowstorm
- 🌩️ Thunderstorm outdoors
- 🫀 Heart attack or stroke
- 🏊 Someone is drowning
- 🌲 Forest or grass fire
- 💳 Cards and cash machines not working
- 🦠 Epidemic, dangerous infectious disease
- 🧒 A child is missing
Sources
- Polish government safety guide (MON, MSWiA, RCB, 2025)
- BBK guide "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" (Germany)
- Government Centre for Security (Poland)
Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-18.
General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.