Power failure

An extended power outage can threaten your health and safety. The key to staying safe and comfortable is preparing and knowing what to do when the power goes off.

Restoring the power: who can help?

Your electricity distribution company turns the power back on. They are responsible for the poles and wires carrying electricity to your home. Check your latest electricity bill for their faults and emergencies phone number.

Food safety when the power fails

Cold food storage

Your food lasts longer if you can keep cold and frozen food cold. Move food from the fridge to the freezer, and try not to open the fridge and freezer doors unless necessary. If the power failure lasts 1+ hours you could place bagged ice under food packages and trays in freezers and fridges, or an insulating blanket over cold or frozen food.

Safe eating

If food is still cold to touch (less than 5°C), it is safe to use. Once refrigerated or frozen food is no longer cold to touch (5°C or above), it can be kept and eaten for up to 4 hours and then it must be thrown away. If it is raw meat, it should be cooked and eaten.

Eat hot food within 4 hours of it being hot or throw it away.

Refreezing food

If power is restored when frozen food is still solid the food is safe to refreeze.

Before: preparing for a power failure

To prepare yourself, your family and your property:

  • ask your doctor about emergency battery backup systems if anyone in the house uses electric life-support equipment or medical equipment;
  • prepare a home emergency plan and kit;
  • save your power distribution company's number into your phone;
  • check the size and health of trees growing near power lines (call an arborist, or, if in the street, call Council);
  • get to know your neighbours and find out who may need extra help; and
  • make sure you and your family know where your safety switch is located.

Prepare a household emergency plan

During: what you can do during a power failure

  • Check if your neighbour's house has lost power. If their power is on, check to see if your safety switch has been tripped.
  • Contact your power company to ask about the cause and expected outage time.
  • Use torches, they are safer than candles or other open flames.
  • Make sure appliances are turned off as they could come back on unexpectedly.
  • Stay cool in the heat and drink plenty of fluids.
  • Wear layers of clothing against the cold, to keep in body heat.
  • Make sure you keep your food safe.
  • Check and offer support to neighbours and relatives.

After: recovering from a power failure

  • Check all appliances that may have been left on, including lights, heaters, stove, central heating units.
  • Check your refrigerated and frozen food stocks.
  • Reset equipment affected by power failure.
  • Check on your neighbours.

If your power has been cut because of storm damage to your house, have it checked by a licensed electrician so it is safe before any other home repairs are carried out.

Contact us

If you need more information about food safety, please contact our Health Services Unit. For more information about emergency planning please contact our Emergency Management Team on 9490 4222 or enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au

Back to top