Suggestions that households in the UK could find themselves facing three-hour blackouts this winter have sent sales of generators and torches soaring, even though the National Grid ESO has clarified that rolling power cuts remain ‘unlikely’.
Still, it's always best to make sure your home is prepared for any unexpected outages - storms, wind, heat, ice and snow can all cause temporary blackouts, so we’ve had a look at the essential comforts that will help you stay comfortable in a power cut.
Our blackout must-haves include practical buys like a first aid kit and battery-powered lamps, as well as power banks that will keep your devices charged for messaging, streaming and social media. Plus, we always like to have a cuppa to hand while we scroll through Instagram, so we’ve also included a couple of the best USB-rechargeable flasks and mugs.
In the meantime, you can find advice and ideas for reducing your energy consumption and cutting down bills in our energy-efficient section.
Blackout kit: power cut essentials for your home
Lewis-Plast Premium 90-Piece First Aid Kit
Basic first-aid supplies are a must-have for any home, and Lewis-Plast's premium kit contains 90 items that cover all the essentials, including bandages, dressings, wound cleaning wipes, eye pads, forceps, hygienic gloves, ice packs, waterproof plasters, safety pins and scissors.
This one-stop safety kit is stored in a practical carry bag that’s not only easy to store but has been designed with plenty of compartments to make it easy to find what you need if you’re in a hurry. Larger households can upgrade to the 160, 220 or 309-piece kit.
Pooky rechargeable lamps
A lack of power doesn’t have to mean you’re plunged into darkness. Keep your space light, cosy and stylish with a mood-enhancing splash of colour with this trio of rechargeable lamps from Pooky. Pictured left to right are the Amelia rechargeable lamp in Antiqued Silver with 18cm cone shade in Emerald Silk, £115; Phileas rechargeable lamp in Antique Bronze, £115; Walter rechargeable lamp with 16cm empire shade in Grey Green egg & spoon silk ikat
We've also put together a whole round-up of the most stylish battery and USB lamps on the market, so don't forget to check that out for even more ideas!
Ember Smart Mug 2
Once charged this dapper self-heating smart mug keeps your drinks at just the right heat. Select the temperature you want using the app and an LED light will tell you when it’s ready, then use the charging coaster to keep it warm all day!
Anker PowerBank 26800
If you don’t already have one, a power bank should be number one on the shopping list to get you through time spent off-grid. If you have a power bank you can charge your smartphone and other USB devices. Power capacity is measured in mAh, meaning milliampere hour.
Anker's PowerCore has a power capacity of 26800mAh, which means a full charge (taking just over six hours when using the dual-input ports) will give you enough juice to recharge a standard smartphone six times over and fully charge a tablet twice - plenty to see you through an outage or a long journey. Three USB ports allow you to power up to three devices at the same time, too.
And for even more charging solutions, check out our round-up of multiple USB power sockets.
ONE cordless LED table lamp
- Buy now from Lime Lace (£139)
Available in four different colourways, this neat LED lamp might be petite (20cm high), but it packs plenty of power and can supply 100 hours of light. Charging comes via the included cable, or wirelessly on any Qi-standard charger (purchased separately).
Clemently Smart Insulated Rechargeable Bottle
This USB-rechargeable lithium battery powered bottle will keep your drink hot for 12 hours (or cold for 24). The smart LED lid has a built-in thermometer and a reminder alarm in case you forget to take a sip!
Mophie Universal Battery Powerstation XXL
Despite its name, this is not a power station - which is a more powerful but usually more expensive option for recharging device -but with 20,000mAh, it provides you with plenty of juice, offering an estimated 73 hours of extra battery on your smartphone, for example. We love the stylish textured finish, too!
