Power Cut Plan for Someone Who Needs Equipment

A plan makes all the difference

A power cut is an inconvenience for most people. For someone who relies on electrical medical equipment, it can become urgent very quickly. The good news is that a straightforward plan — put together now, before anything goes wrong — can protect that person’s safety and keep everyone calm if the lights do go out.

This guide walks through each part of that plan in plain steps. You do not need to be a medical expert to do any of this. You just need a bit of time and the right information.

Know exactly what equipment is at stake

Start by making a full list of every piece of equipment in the home. Think about anything that needs power to work. Common examples include oxygen machines (also called oxygen concentrators), ventilators or breathing machines, powered wheelchairs or scooters, suction machines, hospital-style adjustable beds, and home dialysis equipment. Even a stair lift or a powered recliner chair counts.

Also think about low-tech equipment that would still be needed if a powered version stopped working — for example, a manual wheelchair as a backup to an electric one. Write down the name of each device, its model number, and its serial number. Keep this list somewhere easy to find. A copy in a small folder with the equipment manuals is a good idea.

Once you have the full picture, you know what you are planning for. Do not skip anything. A device that seems less important can still matter a great deal when power is out for several hours or longer.

Register with the electricity supplier today

Most electricity suppliers in the UK and many elsewhere have a Priority Services Register — a free list of customers who need extra support during outages. People who depend on medical equipment are exactly who this register exists for. Being on the list can mean earlier warnings of planned outages, faster attention during faults, and sometimes help with evacuation or alternative shelter.

Despite this, only around four in ten households that depend on electrical equipment have registered for early outage notifications. That means the majority are missing out on a simple, free layer of protection. Registration usually takes just one phone call or a few minutes on the supplier’s website.

If you are unsure which company supplies electricity to the home, the network operator for the local area (separate from the energy supplier) also holds a Priority Services Register. Both are worth contacting. Do this as soon as possible — it is one of the quickest things on this list to tick off.

Talk to the doctor and the equipment supplier

Before a crisis is the right time to have this conversation. Ask the doctor or the medical equipment supplier two key questions: does this device work with a battery backup or a generator, and is there a non-electric alternative we could have on hand? Many manufacturers can confirm whether their device is compatible with a particular power source — check the user manual first, or call the manufacturer directly.

For some equipment, a practical backup already exists. An oxygen tank that does not need electricity, or a manual wheelchair alongside a powered one, means the person can still manage basic needs even if the power is out. For treatments like home dialysis, ask the clinical team what the backup plan is if the usual equipment or facility is affected. They will have thought about this and should be able to walk you through it.

Make sure any backup options are actually in the home or easily accessible before they are needed. A plan that only exists on paper is not yet a real plan.

Medicines that need to stay cold

Some medicines must be kept refrigerated to stay effective. Insulin — the medicine used to manage blood sugar in people with diabetes — is the most common example. It should normally be stored in the fridge between around 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

The important thing to know is that insulin in a vial or cartridge that is already open or in use can generally be kept at room temperature — between about 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) — for up to 28 days without losing effectiveness. But keep it away from direct heat, direct sunlight, and do not let it freeze. Frozen insulin breaks down and becomes less effective, even after it thaws again.

Have a cooler, and a supply of ice packs or frozen gel packs, ready to use during a longer outage. Always follow the storage instructions on the medicine’s own label, as these take priority over general guidance. If you are ever unsure whether a medicine has been stored safely, a pharmacist can advise without an appointment.

Generator safety — do not skip this part

If a portable generator is part of the power backup plan, there is one danger that is widely misunderstood and genuinely serious: carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a gas produced by anything that burns fuel — generators, gas grills, camping stoves, and charcoal. It has no colour and no smell. You cannot tell it is there.

Never use a generator, grill, or any fuel-burning device inside the home, in a garage, in a carport, or near any window, door, or vent. Even briefly. The safe distance is more than 20 feet (about 6 metres) away from the building, with exhaust pointing away from doors and windows. This is not a precaution — it is a firm line.

Install a carbon monoxide detector (sometimes called a CO alarm) near every sleeping area in the home. Choose one with a battery backup, so it still works during a power cut. Check the batteries regularly. This protects everyone in the home, not only during generator use but all year round.

Build a real support network

A plan works best when more than one person knows about it. Talk through the situation with people who are close by and willing to help — family, a neighbour, a friend, a carer. Identify at least two specific people who know what equipment is in the home, where the emergency supplies are kept, and who to call in different situations.

Put together a simple emergency information sheet and keep it with the equipment folder. It should include: a list of all medicines (name, strength, and what it is for), known allergies, relevant medical conditions, supplier contact numbers, and a copy of any prescriptions. Update this whenever anything changes.

Think about communication too. Keep mobile phones and tablets charged regularly as a habit, not just when a storm is forecast. If the person uses a landline, know whether it works without mains power. A fully charged phone when the power goes out is one of the most practical things you can prepare.

When to get help

• A power cut has already started and there is no working backup for essential equipment such as a ventilator, oxygen machine, or dialysis device — call the emergency services or the equipment supplier’s emergency line immediately.
• Medicines that must stay cold have been exposed to heat or direct sunlight and you are unsure whether they are still safe to use — call a pharmacist or the prescribing doctor before the next dose.
• Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning appear — these include sudden headache, dizziness, feeling sick, confusion, or feeling very tired for no clear reason. Leave the building immediately and call emergency services. Do not go back inside.
• A fall or medical emergency happens during a power cut and the usual alarm system or emergency pendant is not working — call emergency services directly.
• Oxygen levels, breathing, or other vital signs change in a person who relies on breathing or oxygen equipment — treat this as a medical emergency and call for help straight away.

Prepared is protected

None of this needs to be done all at once, and it does not need to be perfect to make a real difference. Registering with the electricity supplier, making one call to the equipment supplier, and putting together a simple information sheet — those three steps alone put you far ahead of where most households are right now.

The person you care about has built a life around managing their own needs. A good power cut plan just makes sure that a temporary outage cannot take that away from them. Take it one step at a time, and know that the effort you put in now is genuine protection for someone who matters.