Standby UK

Standby UK — Power Cut UK

Power cut? Here's what to do in the first hour.

Most UK power cuts last under an hour, but some stretch into days. Here's what matters, in order.

1. Safety first

  • Switch off anything with a heating element — cookers, irons, heaters, hair straighteners.
  • Unplug sensitive electronics such as TVs, computers and chargers to protect them from surges.
  • Leave one light switched on so you know when power returns.

2. Information

Get your wind-up or battery radio out for local news. Put your phone on low power mode — it lasts much longer if you use it for calls only.

Call 105 free from any phone to report a power cut or get updates from your local network operator.

3. Warmth and water

  • Fill pots and pans with tap water before supply runs out.
  • Layer up with jumpers, hats and blankets.
  • Gather everyone in one room to share warmth.

4. Backup power — start at the bottom of this list.

You don't need a generator on day one. You need the right layer for what you own.

  1. 1

    Phone power bank

    20,000–30,000mAh, one per person.

    INIU power bank

    INIU 20,000mAh 22.5W power bank — around £22.

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  2. 2

    Rechargeable torch and LED lights

    Keep rechargeable lights ready for moving around safely after dark.

    Blukar torch

    Blukar rechargeable 2,000-lumen torch — around £13.

    Affiliates not active — tracking tag update pending.

  3. 3

    Portable power station

    Choose 1–1.2kWh for an apartment or 1.5–2kWh for a house. EcoFlow, Bluetti and Anker DELTA are the names Ukrainians cite most.

    EcoFlow DELTA 2

    EcoFlow DELTA 2 portable power station — around £600.

    Affiliates not active — tracking tag update pending.

  4. 4

    Inverter kit wired to a car battery

    A 12V-to-220V inverter lets you run a router or laptop off the vehicle.

    BESTEK 12V car inverter

    BESTEK 200W 12V car inverter — around £40.

    Affiliates not active — tracking tag update pending.

  5. 5

    Petrol or diesel generator — houses only

    Honda, Könner & Söhnen and Hyundai are the brands Ukraine's energy ministry points to.

    Honda EU2200i generator

    Honda EU2200i petrol generator — roughly £900–£1,200.

    Affiliates not active — tracking tag update pending.

Generator, fuel and apartment safety

Generators run outdoors only, at least six metres from windows, doors and vents — never on a balcony or in a garage. Carbon monoxide is colourless and kills.

Fuel goes in proper airtight containers, away from heat.

Solar panels with a battery are the apartment alternative where a generator can't go.

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See the full seventy-two-hour kit checklist

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