Power outages in a heatwave

A power outage during a heatwave can be stressful, especially if you need electrical appliances such as fans and air conditioning to stay cool.

If your electricity goes out, the first step is to find out if there's a fault in your home or an outage in your area.

If lights and appliances in another room are working, the issue is likely related to your home. But if your neighbours also have no power or the street lights are out, it may be a network power outage.

To confirm a network power outage in your area, check the website of your electricity distributor:

• Ausgrid – Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter Valley
• Endeavour Energy – Sydney’s Greater West, the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, Illawarra and South Coast
• Essential Energy – the rest of NSW.

Your electricity distributor will have a phone number, social media channel or SMS service for updates on how long the outage is expected to last.

• Stay at least 8m away from fallen powerlines. Report fallen powerlines or trees on wires to your electricity distributor.
• Do not operate electrical appliances or switches while standing in water or with bare feet.
• Never connect a portable generator to your home's wiring system. Read the manufacturer's instructions before using a generator to power appliances.
• Leave a light switched on so you will know as soon as the power is restored.
• Tune into a local radio station using a battery-powered radio or your car radio to get the latest updates on the power outage.

• Switch off and unplug electrical appliances such as your computer, smart devices and TV to protect them if there is a power surge.
• Switch off small appliances, such as ovens and hotplates, so they are off when the power is restored.

Avoid opening the fridge and freezer. A closed fridge can keep food cold for up to 4 hours, and a closed freezer can stay cold for 24 hours. The NSW Food Authority has advice on food safety after a power outage.

If you feel unwell during a heatwave, seek advice from your GP or nearest hospital.

In a medical emergency, dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Most medications need to be stored below 25 degrees Celsius. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you think your medications have spoiled during a power outage.

If you have a medical device that needs electricity, but you have no electricity, contact your doctor. Ask them what you should do.

Find more information on people most at risk in a heatwave.

There are some things you can do to keep cool without electricity:

• Close the windows, blinds and curtains during the day and open them at night to let the cool air inside.
• Move to the coolest part of your home, which may be downstairs or the southern side of the building.
• Put your feet in a cool bath or put a damp towel on your neck.
• Stay well hydrated – drink plenty of water even if you don't feel thirsty.

If your home is too hot, consider going to a cooler place nearby. This may be a shady park, the public pool or an air-conditioned place such as a shopping centre or library.

Be better prepared for the next power outage by putting together an emergency kit. Your kit can contain a torch, batteries and radio that can be helpful when the power goes out.

If you rely on power for medical or life support equipment, you should register with your electricity distributor and retailer, and have an emergency plan in place.

You might also consider steps you can take to reduce the impact on energy supply during the next heatwave.