Prepare for power cuts

How to prepare for power cuts

• Keep batteries, battery-powered torches and a battery-powered radio at home.
• Get back-up power supplies and charge them.
• Obtain enough food that does not require heating. 
• Make sure you have enough warm clothes and blankets.
• In the event of water supply disruptions lasting more than 24 hours, a back-up water supply will be provided, but it is also a good idea to be prepared with store-bought bottled water as a safety precaution.
• Take extra care if you are going to move around in the dark.
• For more tips and advice on how to prepare, visit the 72 hours website: 72hours.fi

What to do in the event of a power cut

First, find out the extent of the power cut. If your home’s electrical appliances suddenly go out, you should check whether this is due to a broken appliance or a fault in your home’s electrical network. Check whether other electrical appliances or lights in your home are working. A blown fuse can also cause your entire home to go dark.

Electrical appliances

• When a power cut starts, switch off all electrical appliances and household appliances. For example, a cooker, an electric iron, a coffee machine or a washing machine that has been left on can cause a fire when the electricity comes back on.
• Protect the floor under the refrigeration equipment from melt water. Avoid opening the freezer doors.

Water supply

• Avoid using water, such as taking a shower or washing the dishes and laundry.
• Flushing the toilet should also be avoided. Without electricity, sewage and solid waste cannot move, so they can block the drains. This may cause flooding, for example, in the lower floors of blocks of flats. It is therefore not advisable to go to the toilet during a power cut for a big or even a little need.
• Do not put water down the drain. Use, for example, a bucket under the tap if you have to run water from the it.

Lifts

• Lifts will stop working in the event of a power cut. If power cuts are likely, it is best to avoid using lifts.
• You must never try to get out of a stuck lift on your own. If you get stuck in a lift, stay calm and press the alarm button on the lift. The alarm system for lifts also works during a power cut.

Electric locks and doors

• Electric locking systems (e.g. Iloq or Abloy Pulse) also have a mechanical key cylinder in case of power cuts. This means that you can use a key to get inside. Getting out is always possible. Code locks will stop working during a power cut and start working again with the same codes after the power cut.
• Electronic time controls for doors in saunas and other spaces may not work during or immediately after a power cut.
• Electric tilt-up doors and sliding doors in garages will cease to function. Releasing them for manual opening is usually done by using a release lever located inside the garage.

Saunas

• If the electricity has been cut off before a sauna time slot, it is worth remembering that it will take time for the sauna to heat up again when the electricity is restored.

Mains-connected smoke detectors

• Mains-connected smoke alarms have batteries as back-up power that can withstand a short power cut.

How to get information

• By following the information provided by the authorities, for example via Yle, you can find out about planned power cuts.
• Electricity supply disruptions can be monitored at sahkokatkokartta.fi
• Electricity distribution in Espoo is provided by Caruna. If you do not already use the free Caruna Sähkövahti Electricity Watch, you may want to start using it. This way you will receive messages about power cuts on your mobile phone or in your email. More information at caruna.fi/en/power-cuts

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