What to do first when the power goes out

Intro

Power outages are stressful, but the first few minutes matter most. Staying calm and checking the right things in the right order can keep the fault safe while you wait for help.

The good news? You do not need to guess what to do. By checking the street, the switchboard, and the safety signs first, you can separate a simple outage from an urgent fault.

Below are 7 practical steps for handling a blackout safely and knowing when to call a licensed electrician.

1. Check whether the outage is local

Look outside first. If neighbouring homes or the streetlights are also dark, the outage may be wider than your property.

• If the street is also dark, the outage may be on the supply network.
• If neighbours still have power, the fault is likely on your property.
• Checking outside first stops you from resetting the wrong thing.

Once you know the outage is local to the property, move on to the switchboard and the safe checks inside the home.

Do not keep opening doors or going into wet or damaged areas if there are signs of water, smoke, or heat.

Estimated benefit: a clearer first step, less confusion, and faster fault finding.

2. Check the switchboard safely

Locate the switchboard and check whether a breaker or safety switch has tripped. If you are unsure, stop and call a licensed electrician rather than forcing a reset.

• Identify whether a breaker or safety switch has tripped.
• Reset only once, and only if the area is dry and safe.
• Do not force a breaker that will not stay on.
• If the board is hot, noisy, or smells burnt, stop immediately.
• Call a licensed electrician if the cause is not obvious.

That quick check often tells you whether the issue is a simple local trip or a larger fault that needs urgent attention.

4. Watch for smoke, sparks, or burning smells

If you smell burning, see sparks, or notice heat around fittings or the switchboard, move away from the area and treat it as an emergency.

• Heat, smoke, or sparks mean the fault is urgent.
• Do not reset a breaker if the area looks damaged.
• Keep people away from wet or exposed equipment.
• Call emergency services if you see active fire or heavy smoke.

These are the signs that turn a routine outage into a safety issue.

5. Know when the outage is an emergency

A power loss that affects part of the property can still be urgent if it involves heat, smoke, water, or damage to wiring or equipment.

This hidden usage can add up to 10% to your annual bill.

• Water near power equipment makes the outage more dangerous.
• Repeated breaker trips mean the fault is not resolved.
• Burning smells or damaged cabling require urgent attention.

If any of those signs are present, treat the outage as an emergency rather than a simple inconvenience.

6. What the electrician will test

A proper diagnosis includes testing the affected circuits, checking the switchboard, and identifying whether the issue is isolated or part of a larger fault.

• We test the affected circuits and isolate the fault.
• We check the switchboard and safety devices.
• We look for signs of damage, heat, or moisture.
• We confirm whether the cause is local or upstream.

Once the fault is identified, we can restore safe power where possible and explain any follow-up work that is needed.

Estimated benefit: a proper diagnosis, safer restoration, and less chance of repeated outages.

7. What to tell the electrician

Tell the electrician which rooms lost power, whether any breaker tripped, whether there was a storm, and whether you noticed any smell, sound, or visible damage.

Include any details about recent work, appliance changes, or water exposure so the diagnosis can begin faster.

If you saw a flash, a loud pop, or a smell of burning, say that immediately so the electrician can prioritise the call.

Tip: Clear information helps the electrician restore power safely and quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions