- and you should stay at least 10 metres (about the length of a bus) away from any fallen or burnt powerlines.
- as smoke can act as a conductor, so if there is fire directly near a damaged power pole that safe distance increases to 25 metres.
- If you're inside those warning areas, slowly shuffle away keeping both feet on the ground at all times, as lifting your foot off the ground could cause electricity to arc towards it.
- Your electricity provider will work with your state or territory fire and emergency service to make sure it's safe to reconnect power to the grid.
- You can find out how long it's likely to be before power is reconnected by checking your electricity provider's website.
- Depending on damage, you may need to have a qualified electrician inspect your property before you can have your power reconnected.
- If you find a sticker on the mains switch in your meter box, your electrician will need to give your provider a certificate of compliance.
- You may be able to claim a state or federal government payment if you've lost power for a number of days.
- Food will keep in the fridge safely for two to four hours without power.
- Firm cheese and salted butter will last longer.
- Food in a full freezer can last two days; one day if your freezer is only partially filled.
- Transfer any perishable food like meat into the freezer.
- Keep the fridge and freezer door shut as much as possible.
- Transfer perishable food into eskies containing ice or ice bricks
- Prepare a battery-powered radio with spare batteries
- Write down the local ABC radio frequency so you can listen to emergency broadcasts
- Keep a set of charging cables and a USB power bank ready and fully charged
- Turn off data when your phone is not being used to help conserve the battery
- Have a hard copy of contact details for family, friends and local services written down
- If visiting a remote area, consider taking a personal locator beacon, UHF radio or satellite phone
- Know how to prepare in case telecommunications go down during an emergency
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- 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.