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Grid Gone DarkHousehold emergency plan
Cutaway illustration of a house at night during a power cut
Black Sky SurvivalHour 1

Hour 1

Lights out: the first hour, in order

  1. Safety

    Fire, gas smell or structural damage: get everyone out and call for help. Don't investigate electrical faults.

  2. People

    Account for everyone. Follow the Family Code for school collection. Check on vulnerable neighbours later, once you're settled.

  3. Power

    If you have a home battery, check its backup is running. Keep essentials on: boiler, fridge-freezer, a few lights, router. Switch off electric heaters, the oven, the electric shower and EV charging.

  4. Water

    Drink sealed water. If taps still run, fill the bath and the carriers. Stop flushing if told to, and set up the bucket toilet and handwash station.

  5. Food

    Keep the fridge and freezer shut. Eat fridge food first, then freezer, then tins. Cook outdoors only.

  6. Information

    Battery radio on: FM station ________. PMR channel ________. Treat urgent money requests as scams unless the safe word is used.

  7. Night and warmth

    One warm room. Blackout blinds down. Check the CO alarm. Torches, not candles, near the children.

Write these in now

By tomorrow morning, decide

  • Is home still right for the children? Water, warmth, sanitation, medicines, safety.
  • If not, leave in daylight using the Family Code plan.

Infographic · tap to enlarge

Infographic

Hour 1

Hour 1 infographic, front: first actions when the lights go out, covering safety, accounting for everyone, essential power, sealed water, keeping the fridge shut and finding information.