FAMILY READY · CALM PLANS
What should a family practise before an overnight power outage, including lighting, communication, and keeping children comfortable?
Overnight power outages can be disorienting for children and adults alike. Practising ahead reduces worry by building routines for lighting, conserving device battery, maintaining communication, and keeping children warm and calm. The suggestions here are low-cost, adaptable, and emphasise following local utility updates and official guidance. During an actual outage, follow the instructions of your local utility provider and public safety authorities for restoration and safety steps.
Key areas to practise before an outage
Focus on lighting, communication, heat and warmth, food access, and comfort for children. Identify how your family will provide quick lighting (flashlights, headlamps, or battery-powered lanterns if you have them) while also teaching low-tech methods such as staying in one room with ambient daylight or using a covered lamp. Communication plans should include conserving phone battery and using an out-of-area contact if networks become crowded. For warmth, practise layering clothing and rearranging sleeping areas to share warmth. These actions can be performed with items already in many homes.
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Age-flexible, low-cost steps for lighting and safety
Designate a single common room where the family will gather; this concentrates light and adult supervision. Keep a small basket of torches/flashlights and spare batteries in an accessible location. Teach children basic lamp safety (do not cover a light source and keep lamps on stable surfaces). Older children and teens can practise using phone flashlights conservatively and carrying a small torch when moving around at night.
If candles are culturally used, emphasise that they are an increased risk indoors and should only be used with continuous adult supervision. Prefer covered candle holders and never leave candles unattended. Following local fire safety guidance is important; if you live in multi-occupancy housing, check building rules on open flames.
Communication and battery management
Practice a phone-battery conservation routine with teens and older children: reduce screen brightness, close background apps, turn on battery saver, send a short text to the out-of-area contact, and keep calls brief. Designate one device as a charging priority from a portable power bank if available, but plan for no-charger scenarios by using written cards and a pre-arranged meeting point.
Teach children that phone networks can become busy; a short text often gets through when calls do not. Role-play a simple message children can send during an outage—'Power outage, I’m safe, at [location].' For families with devices reliant on power for medical purposes, consult local health or utility guidance about backup requirements before an outage occurs.