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Be prepared for a power outage and keep safe

Power interruptions can happen for a number of reasons - severe weather events, trees falling on power lines, plant and equipment failure, car vs pole incidents, planned maintenance work, or natural disasters. In particular, earthquake damage may cause the occasional loss of power on the Orion network over the coming months, especially if we continue to experience large aftershocks.

Follow the advice below to ensure you and your family are prepared for a power outage and can get through comfortably and safely.

Be prepared for a power outage

  • keep a torch and spare batteries handy. To reduce the risk of fire, don’t use candles during a power outage
  • charge your mobile phone often
  • consider using a surge protection device to avoid damage to any sensitive appliances from a potential power interruption
  • know the location of your main switch to isolate electricity from your premises
  • if you are medically dependent on electricity, you need an emergency plan. Gain medical advice and inform your electricity retailer (e.g. Meridian, Contact, Genesis)
  • if you rely on electricity for essential business operations, you should ensure you have an alternative power source such as generator available for use during a power outage. For advice about safely connecting a generator at your property, please call us on 03 363 9898 or your local electrician.

During a power outage

  • report the fault – call your electricity retailer, or Orion on 03 363 9898
  • use a torch instead of candles, to reduce the risk of fire
  • turn your main switch off and check that nothing has fallen onto stoves and heaters – this will lessen the risk of fire when power comes back on
  • ensure all electric cords and appliances are unplugged from the wall socket 
  • keep the fridge and freezer closed. Food in fridges and freezers will last longer if you keep the doors closed while the power is off
  • inspect electrical appliances for any visual damage and if damage is found, do not use 
  • do not attempt to make any repairs to damaged or faulty electrical equipment. Consult a qualified electrician
  • gain advice from an electrician if you plan to use a generator for power
  • stay clear of any fallen power lines and other damaged network equipment - treat them as live at all times.

When your power is restored

  • if you receive any "tingles" when touching electrical appliances or water taps, turn off the main switch immediately and seek assistance from a qualified electrician
  • always treat exposed wires with care. Remember that turning off the main switch does not mean that the wires feeding power to your house will be safe
  • if circuit breakers trip or fuses blow, this is a warning that something is wrong - switch the circuit off and seek qualified advice.

General electrical safety advice

  • take extra care wherever water is present 
  • keep children well away from electrical equipment
  • stay clear of any fallen power lines - treat them as live at all times.

Further information and advice

  • visit the safety section of our website for more advice about keeping safe around electricity
  • visit the key questions section of our website for questions and answers about your power supply
  • view this flyer about keeping safe when disaster strikes.

 

View all earthquake updates from Orion.