Despite how common power outages are, few people are prepared for them, and even fewer people know what to do if the power goes out.
Make sure your emergency lights are accessible in case you have to find them in the dark. Ideally, keep a flashlight in each room of your home.
If your neighbors still have electricity, the problem is likely inside your home. Start by checking the main fuses or circuit breakers to see if they have blown.
If your neighbors also don’t have electricity, you’ll want to see how widespread the problem is. You can do this by calling your power supplier. It might take a while to get through to them if many people are trying to call.
If your family members aren’t at home, contact them. It might be best for them to remain at their current location until it is safer for them to come home.
It is wise to unplug all your sensitive (read: expensive) electronics from the wall so they don’t get damaged when the power comes back on.
When the power goes out, water treatment centers might not work. You could still have clean-looking water from the tap, but it might not be safe to drink!