If you've lost power due to a bushfire near your area, Energy Networks Australia says it can take time before your electricity is reconnected. There are some things you can do in the meantime to keep yourself and others safe.
Staying safe until damage is assessed
- Powerlines damaged in an emergency can be dangerous. Stay at least 10 metres — about the length of a bus — away from any fallen or burnt powerlines.
- Electricity can jump further during a bushfire. Smoke can act as a conductor, so if there is fire directly near a damaged power pole the distance to stay away from the powerlines increases to 25 metres.
- If you're closer than that, slowly shuffle away keeping both feet on the ground at all times. Lifting your foot off the ground could cause electricity to jump towards you and you could be shocked.
- Your electricity provider will work with state or territory fire and emergency services to make sure it's safe to reconnect power.
- You can find out how long it's likely to be before power is reconnected by checking your electricity provider's website.
- Depending on the amount of damage, you may need to have a qualified electrician inspect your property before you can have your power reconnected.
- If you find a sticker on the mains switch in your meter box, your electrician will need to give your electricity provider a certificate of compliance.
Keeping food cool and safe
The Food Safety Information Council says:
- Food will keep in the fridge safely for two to four hours without power.
- Firm cheese and salted butter will last longer.
- Food in a full freezer can last two days; one day if your freezer is only partially filled.
Making your fridge food last longer
- Transfer any perishable food like meat into the freezer.
- Keep the fridge and freezer door shut as much as possible.
- Transfer perishable food into eskies containing ice or ice bricks
Keeping medicine safe
While food and drinks can be stored in coolers with ice, the Pharmacists Guild says you should take extra steps to ensure medications remain safe.
The guild says while it is good to use an esky with ice to cool medications until power is restored, make sure the medications are in a container or bag so they're not in contact with the ice.
Finding emergency information in a blackout
The radio could be the only place you'll be able to hear regular information during a fire that has caused a long-term power outage. Sometimes even telecommunications towers burn, and when there's no power your internet will stop working.
ABC Radio stations will broadcast emergency information regularly when there are Watch and Act or Emergency warnings in place and during the aftermath when communities are heavily impacted.
- Prepare a battery-powered radio with spare batteries.
- Write down the local ABC radio frequency so you can listen to emergency broadcasts.
- Keep a set of charging cables for your mobile phone and a USB power bank ready and fully charged.
- Turn off data when your phone is not being used to help conserve the battery.
- Keep a written copy of contact details for family, friends and local services.
- If visiting a remote area, consider taking a personal locator beacon, UHF radio or satellite phone.
- Know how to prepare in case telecommunications go down during an emergency.
Compensation
You may be able to claim compensation from the power company or government if you've lost power for an extended period.
You may also be able to claim for damage to appliances. Take photos of the damage and send them, along with receipts, to your insurance company or if it's a modem, to your internet service provider.
Who to contact if your power goes out
Australian Capital Territory
- Contact Evoenergy on 13 10 93
New South Wales
- Sydney, the Central Coast and Hunter region residents contact Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
- Sydney's Greater West, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, the Illawarra and South Coast residents contact Endeavour Energy on 13 10 03.
- All other NSW residents contact Essential Energy on 13 20 80.
Northern Territory
- Contact Power and Water Corporation on 1800 245 090.
Queensland
- South-East Queensland residents contact Energex on 13 62 62.
- All other Queensland residents contact Ergon Energy on 13 22 96.
South Australia
- Contact SA Power Networks on 13 13 66.
Tasmania
- Contact TasNetworks on 13 20 04.
Victoria
- Melbourne city and inner-suburb residents contact CitiPower on 13 12 80.
- Northern and north-western suburb residents contact Jemena on 13 16 26.
- Southern suburb and Mornington Peninsula residents contact United Energy Distribution on 13 20 99.
- Western suburb and western Victoria residents contact Powercor Australia on 13 24 12.
- Outer-northern and eastern suburb and eastern Victoria residents contact AusNet Services on 13 17 99.
Western Australia
- Residents in Perth city, north to Kalbarri, east to Kalgoorlie and south to Albany contact Western Power on 13 13 51.
- All other WA residents contact Horizon Power on 13 23 51.