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- — this includes anything involving heating (e.g. oven, stove, heaters); you don't want these coming back on if power is restored when you aren't home
- — there may be powerlines down
- —listen to your local ABC radio station on your battery-powered radio or mobile (if you still have coverage)
- or anyone else you know who might need help
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- a battery-powered radio with spare batteries; write the local ABC Radio frequency on it so you can listen to updates and information.
- a set of charging cables and a USB power bank ready and charged.
- your phone's data when it's not being used to help conserve the battery.
- .Write down contacts for friends, family and local services.
- your electrical appliances from possible damage from outages.
- In a blackout, it can be tough to know which foods to preserve and how long your fridge will stay cool
- It's important to keep your food cold when the power is out so that it remains safe to eat.
- Food will keep in the fridge generally for about two to four hours without power.
- Ambient temperature is also a factor, the temperature of a fridge and freezer is going to rise slowly in winter. In warm weather it's best to err on the side of caution.
- Firm cheese, salted butter and preserves will last longer.
- Food in full freezers can last two days; one day if your freezer is only partially filled.
- Transfer perishable food like meat into the freezer.
- Keep the fridge and freezer door shut as much as possible.
- Get some ice for your esky and transfer perishable food into that.
- Medicine that needs to be kept cold should go into an esky. Put it in a container or plastic bag first so it's not in contact with the ice.
- Contact Evoenergy on 13 10 93
- Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter region residents contact Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
- Sydney's Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast residents contact Endeavour Energy on 13 10 03.
- All other NSW residents contact Essential Energy on 13 20 80.
- For all residents of the Northern Territory, contact Power and Water Corporation on 1800 245 090.
- South-East Queensland residents contact Energex on 13 62 62.
- All other Queensland residents contact Ergon Energy on 13 22 96.
- For all residents of South Australia, contact SA Power Networks on 13 13 66.
- For all residents of Tasmania, contact TasNetworks on 13 20 04.
- Melbourne city and inner-suburb residents contact CitiPower on 13 12 80.
- Northern and north-western suburb residents contact Jemena on 13 16 26.
- Southern suburb and Mornington Peninsula residents contact United Energy Distribution on 13 20 99.
- Western suburb and western Victoria residents contact Powercor Australia on 13 24 12.
- Outer-northern and eastern suburb and eastern Victoria residents contact AusNet Services on 13 17 99.
- Residents in Perth city, north to Kalbarri, east to Kalgoorlie and south to Albany contact Western Power on 13 13 51.
- All other WA residents contact Horizon Power on 13 23 51.
- Stay away from powerlines that have been damaged after a storm or severe weather.
- Keep at least 10 metres away from the lines — this is about the length of a bus.
- If your power has been out for more than a day, compensation may be available — check with your provider.
- You may also be able to claim for damage to appliances.
- Take photos of the damage and send these along with receipts to your insurance company, or if it's a modem, to your internet service provider.