Whilst it's still said to be "unlikely" we will face blackouts this winter, the National Grid is not able to completely discount the possibility. One of the world's largest gas and electricity distribution companies, it has said it's facing a "challenging" winter exacerbated by the energy crisis and Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
It said interruptions to residential and business electricity supplies, in the form of planned three-hour outages that people would likely be told about the day before, was a worst-case scenario - but one the Grid did need to consider and plan for.
With this in mind, it's worth checking that we all have everything we could need in a blackout - and, of course, that we know where everything is! Plus, as we head into the autumn and winter, bad weather is inevitable - so it's always good practice to prepare for the potential of unplanned power cuts too. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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What you could need in a blackout - and why
Torches
Probably the most obvious, but if there's an unplanned power-cut or a planned blackout, your lights at home or work won't come on. So torches (and the right batteries) are a must. Fortunately, most smartphones have torches built-in, but it's worth having a separate physical torch too, in case you need to save your phone battery
Candles (and matches/lighters)
Again, to help light your home - and to keep you a little warmer - during a blackout
Blankets
In a planned blackout or unplanned powercut, the radiators won't work because, although most people's central heating runs on gas, the boiler still generally needs electricity to operate, so extra blankets, jumpers and hoodies are worth having to-hand to help keep you warm
Mobile phone
Most of us have mobile phones but people who don't may want to invest in one, if it's confirmed in the coming weeks that blackouts are more likely in the UK. Without electricity, landline phones won't work so you'll need a mobile - that's charged - in order to call or text friends and loved ones, or the emergency services in an emergency.
Chargers and batteries
Portable phone chargers, laptop chargers and batteries for handheld devices are a must in a blackout or powercut - you may struggle to work or phone anyone without them!
Food that doesn't need to be cooked
In a blackout, you won't be able to cook on an electric hob or use your electric oven, microwave, toaster or kettle. So it's worth getting some food in the cupboard that doesn't need to be heated. Items like bread, crisps and crackers and cans of tuna, cereal bars, dried fruit, long-life milk and non-refrigerated 'ready to eat' meals are worth purchasing ahead of any proposed blackout, in case you get hungry when you're unable to cook.
Water
You shouldn't have any issues getting water from the tap during a blackout, but it's worth having a few bottles of water in the cupboard just in case.
Medication
You should keep your medication in an easy-to-access place and make sure you have enough of it for a little time after the blackout is due to end - in case you're unable to ring the doctor to renew your prescription during the power cut, for example.
Books, puzzles and battery-operated games
In a blackout, you won't be able to watch tv except on a laptop, tablet or phone, if they've got enough charge - so having a few things to keep you busy, like reading books, puzzle books or jigsaws and battery-operated games may be a great help - especially for little ones
Print out of any contact details or information you may need
If your only record of your elderly relative's contact details, your doctor or any other important figure is on your phone, it's worth writing it out on paper or printing the information off - you never know when you may need it and if your phone battery died and you were unable to charge it, it's better to have physical copies of all the information you may need.
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