How to prepare for a power cut
This winter, East Ayrshire Council is urging residents to prepare for potential power outages so that they can stay safe if a power cut was to occur.
The Council has established and practiced processes in place for such incidents which prioritise the health, safety and welfare of residents and ensure that essential services remain operational wherever possible.
In the event of a national power outage, the Council's Local Incident Room will be operational throughout the incident to monitor and respond to the situation as required, with support from local resilience partners Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
If any Council services are disrupted as a result of a power outage, the Council will post details on its website and social media. Local residents can help by sharing this information with neighbours, friends, and family.
Power cuts (or electricity outages) can be caused by a number of issues including severe weather, which can lead to damaged infrastructure, or system faults.
Although most power cuts are short-lived and only occur locally, more widespread and longer outages can sometimes occur. These could potentially last several days with regional or, more unlikely, national impacts.
Safety precautions you can take if you experience a power outage include:
- Tune in to local news broadcasts for the latest information on your phone, radio, or car radio.
- Charge your phone and any power packs.
- Have some extra blankets or warm clothes ready.
- Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting and keep the door closed. If the power goes out, this will keep food fresh for longer.
- Keep torches, battery-operated radios, extra batteries, canned food, and bottled water handy.
- If your power goes out, use torches instead of candles, to minimise the risk of fire.
- Have adequate prescription medicines and baby supplies on hand.
- If you or someone you know uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there or to a hospital during a prolonged outage.
- Create an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio or television, torch, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, and an insulated cooler.
- Look out for elderly neighbours and ensure they are prepared for a possible power cut.
Some useful phone numbers in the event of a power cut:
105 – Scottish Power Energy Networks - call this number if you experience a power cut, regardless of who you buy electricity from.
999 – Police and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - call this number if you are in immediate danger. Also call this number if you see broken power lines or cables - make sure you stay away from them and call 999 immediately.
111 – NHS - call this number if you require immediate medical services.
For more advice and information on power outages, visit these links:
SP Energy Networks - power cuts
The Council will also be be sharing power resilience tips regularly on social media to help you to be prepared in the event of a power cut. Keep updated here: