During a power outage
The power is off. Get through the first hour, see how long outages usually last and keep phones charged, toilets flushing and the garage door opening. Numbers from utilities, safety agencies and manufacturers' manuals.
- Can you flush the toilet during a power outage?
A standard gravity-flush toilet has no electric parts, so it flushes whenever water is in the tank or poured into the bowl. A fast pour of at least 2 US gallons (7.6 L) starts the flush (City of Ivins, Utah). If your sewer main is down or a septic pump has no power, use a bag-lined bucket.
- What to do when the power goes out: the first hour
When the power goes out, check whether your neighbours are out too, report the outage to your network operator (105 in Great Britain), unplug appliances and keep the fridge shut. A closed fridge stays safe for about 4 hours (CDC). If the lights are on next door, check your breaker. If anyone is in danger, call emergency services.