Why Every Home and Business Needs a Plan
A sudden blackout can be more than an inconvenience. It can stop work in its tracks, spoil food, interrupt medical equipment, and even put lives at risk.
This guide provides the essential emergency steps to take when the grid goes down, so you can stay safe, calm, and in control.
Immediate Actions When the Power Goes Out
Check the Situation Safely:
- Inspect your fuse box to rule out a tripped breaker.
- Look outside, if neighbours or streetlights are also out, it’s a wider outage.
- Use a radio or mobile data to check for utility updates.
Protect Your Food Supply:
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- If the outage lasts more than 4 hours, move perishables into coolers with ice.
Preserve Safety and Comfort:
- Use torches or LED lanterns instead of candles to reduce fire risks.
- Dress in layers during cold weather or stay hydrated and shaded in hot weather.
- Never run a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces, always operate it outside in a dry, ventilated area to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Using Your Generator the Smart Way
Start Early and Maintain Regularly:
- Run your generator as soon as the outage starts to confirm readiness.
- Test monthly to avoid issues like flat batteries or clogged carburettors.
Connect Devices Safely:
- Plug appliances directly into the generator using outdoor-rated extension leads.
- Avoid back feeding. Back feeding happens when a generator is improperly connected to a building’s electrical system, causing power to flow backward into the utility lines. This is extremely dangerous, as it can electrocute utility workers and damage both the generator and the grid.
- For long-term reliability, consider installing a transfer switch with a qualified electrician.
Avoid Overloading:
- Prioritise essentials like refrigeration, lighting, chargers, and medical equipment.
- Stagger high-demand appliances instead of switching them on all at once.
- Sustaining Power During Extended Outages
Refuel with Care:
- Store fuel in approved containers, in a safe, well ventilated and secure location.
- Only refuel when the generator is off and cooled down.
- Rotate stored fuel regularly to maintain freshness. See our blog post How Long Does Diesel Last for more information.
Monitor and Maintain:
- Check oil and fuel levels regularly during operation.
- Keep a log of run times and maintenance tasks.
Stay Informed:
- Use a radio or mobile apps for weather and outage updates.
- Keep in touch with neighbours and family, sharing resources helps everyone.
Recovery Once Power Returns
- Turn off and unplug sensitive electronics before the grid comes back to avoid surges.
- Allow your generator to cool completely before storing or refuelling.
- After long use, complete a post-outage service: change oil, replace filters, and check for wear.
At Generators for Export, we know a generator isn’t just a machine, it’s peace of mind. With preparation, safe use, and the right maintenance, you’ll be ready to power through any outage.
Take a look at our range of used diesel generators or try our kVA calculator to find out what size generator you need.
When the lights go out, knowledge and planning make all the difference. And with a dependable backup generator, you can keep your home or business running no matter what the grid throws at you.
Call: +44(0)1386 553344 | Email: sales@gfe.uk.com