Emergencies - coping without gas or electricity

Interruptions to your gas or electricity supply can seriously hamper your lifestyle. You may have to think laterally to come up with ways to continue bathing, eating and keeping warm. The following are suggestions you may find useful.

Power blackout - general suggestions
Suggestions include:

• Have an emergency kit prepared (see below).
• Switch off all electrical appliances, especially those that have heating elements.
• Unplug 'surge-sensitive' equipment, such as computers and video recorders.
• Keep one light switch turned on so you know when the power returns.
• Telephone your electricity provider for updates on the status of the blackout.
• Turn on a battery operated radio and listen to a local radio station for information.
• Check on your neighbours to see if they need assistance, particularly if they are elderly or have a disability.

• Multiple layers of clothing trap body heat more efficiently than one bulky layer.
• The body loses a great deal of heat through the scalp so wear a hat.
• Close doors, windows and blinds to maintain heat.
• Torches are much safer sources of light than candles. Make sure you have a good stock of batteries.
• If you must use candles, keep them out of the draught and in areas inaccessible to children.
• Be aware of fire hazards - keep candles away from curtains and other flammable objects.
• Make sure to extinguish all candles before retiring for the night.

• Foods that are meant to be refrigerated may spoil if they reach room temperature. Be prepared to throw out the goods in your refrigerator or freezer.
• Avoid buying too many perishables. Only buy what you can eat at each meal.
• Choose foods that don't require refrigeration, such as bread, spreads, fruits, vegetables and canned products.
• You could try extending the life of your perishables by storing them temporarily in an Esky or car fridge.

• If you have no gas, cook foods in the microwave or other electrical appliances. Check manufacturer's instructions for further details and suggested cooking times.
• Remember that microwave ovens cook foods unevenly. Always stir at various times throughout the cooking process and allow for 'standing time'.
• If you have neither gas nor electricity, cook foods on the barbecue.
• Use foods that don't require cooking, such as salad vegetables, tinned meats, breads and breakfast cereals.

• If you have electricity but no gas, use the microwave, electric hotplates and kettles to heat water.
• If you have gas but no electricity, use your gas hot water system or gas hotplates.
• If you have neither, use the barbecue to heat water.
• Take special care when heating water in unfamiliar ways. Check the manufacturer's instructions to reduce the risk of injuries.
• If you need to carry containers of hot or boiling water, don't overfill them and make sure to insulate the handles to prevent scalds from steam. Keep children well away.
• Before bathing, check the temperature of the water. Don't attempt to 'top up' with hot or boiling water when someone (for example, your child) is already sitting in the bath.

• Maintain personal hygiene after changing nappies or before handling food by washing your hands with soap and cold water.
• Use disposable instead of cloth nappies.
• If you can't boil bottles, sterilise them in commercially prepared disinfecting solutions (such as Miltons). Follow the instructions on the label.
• If you have electricity, run bottles through the dishwasher - if you have one.
• Don't use the microwave oven to warm up your baby's bottle, as you risk scalding. It is fine to give your baby cold milk.

• Keep emergency numbers by the telephone.
• Have an emergency kit already packed. This should include a radio, torches, batteries, and copies of insurance and other important papers, bottled water, some tinned food and first aid kit.
• Your radio should be portable and battery-operated.
• Make sure each member of the household knows to turn off electrical appliances and unplug sensitive equipment when there is a blackout.

• Your electricity supplier
• Your gas supplier
• Victoria State Emergency Service Tel. (03) 9684 6666

• During a blackout, switch off all electrical appliances (especially those that have heating elements) and unplug 'surge-sensitive' equipment such as computers and video recorders.
• Your family should devise an emergency plan in case of interruptions to power or gas.

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