Living without electricity

A prolonged power outage changes everything

Without electricity, the systems we take for granted stop. Fridge, heating, communications, lighting. This guide helps you adapt during the first days, with practical and affordable solutions.

Priority timeline

First 4 hours

Check on vulnerable neighbours (elderly, ill, young children)
Unplug sensitive electronics (computers, televisions) to prevent damage from power surges
Use LED torches instead of candles (lower fire risk)
Check available water and food supplies

12 hours

Consume perishable food from the fridge before it spoils
Set up alternative lighting for the night (torches, solar lanterns)
Charge your phone and essential devices with a power bank
Listen to battery-powered radio for official updates (Antena 1: 95.7 FM Lisbon)

24 hours

Keep the freezer shut. A full freezer stays cold for 24 to 48 hours, half full about 24 hours
Cook with a camping gas stove or barbecue (outdoors only)
Check the radio for estimated power restoration times
Save phone battery: aeroplane mode, minimum brightness, essential calls only

48 hours

Transfer freezer food to a cool box with ice (if available)
Begin rationing water if the mains supply is compromised
Check medications that require refrigeration
Maintain a daily routine to reduce anxiety, especially for children

72 hours or more

Activate your family communication plan (meeting point, emergency contacts)
Consider relocating to a relative's home with power, if necessary
Assess the need for external help for dependent household members
Verify whether tap water remains safe to drink

1 week or more

Contact Civil Protection (ANEPC) if you need assistance: prociv.pt
Organise a community response with neighbours (share resources, keep watch)
Document damage and losses for potential support claims
Report the situation to E-REDES or your local electricity distributor

Lighting

LED torches

Your first lighting resource. Safe, efficient and long-lasting. Keep spare batteries always in stock (preferably AA or AAA). Models with a hand crank or solar panel eliminate battery dependence.

Have at least one torch per main room
Headlamps keep your hands free for tasks
Lithium batteries last longer and perform better in cold weather

Candles

A traditional alternative, but with risks. NEVER leave candles burning unattended. High fire risk, especially with children or pets in the house.

Always use a stable, non-flammable holder
Keep away from curtains, paper and textiles
Extinguish before sleeping or leaving the room

Solar garden lights

A free and renewable solution. Place them outside during the day and bring them indoors at night. Most provide 6 to 8 hours of soft light.

No fuel or battery costs
Safe for children and enclosed spaces
Keep 3 to 5 units per household

Paraffin or kerosene lamps

Provide good illumination but require care. Always use with adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) build-up.

Never use in fully enclosed spaces
Store fuel safely in approved containers
Burn risk: keep out of reach of children

Cooking without electricity

Camping gas stove

The most practical and versatile solution. Small gas canisters (CV 470 type or similar) are affordable and easy to store. One canister lasts approximately 1 to 2 hours of continuous cooking.

Use in a ventilated area or near an open window
Keep at least 4 to 6 spare canisters
Save gas: use a lid, cut food into small pieces

Barbecue

Good for meals, but outdoors only. Never use charcoal or gas indoors due to carbon monoxide poisoning risk.

Works with charcoal, briquettes or firewood
Use at least 2 metres from walls and roofs
Cook larger batches to save fuel

Alcohol stove

Compact and lightweight. Ethyl alcohol is easy to find and store safely. Ideal for heating water and simple meals.

Never refuel while the stove is still hot
Use on a stable, non-flammable surface
Store alcohol in a sealed container away from heat

DIY solar oven

Works in summer and on sunny days. No fuel costs. Simple construction using cardboard, aluminium foil and clear plastic wrap.

Reaches 80 to 120 degrees Celsius (ideal for slow cooking)
Takes 2 to 4 hours for a meal
Safe, with no fire or gas risks

Water

Storage

The minimum recommendation is 3 litres per person per day (drinking and cooking). For a family of 4 over 3 days, you need at least 36 litres.

Use food-grade containers (5L bottles or approved water containers)
Replace stored water every 6 months
Store in a cool, dark place away from chemicals
Fill the bathtub as soon as the outage begins (reserve for hygiene)

Purification

If tap water is no longer safe, there are simple purification methods:

Boiling: boil for 1 minute (3 minutes above 2000m altitude). The most reliable method
Tablets: water purification tablets (Micropur, Aquatabs). Follow manufacturer instructions
Portable filters: LifeStraw or Sawyer Mini filter bacteria and protozoa
Bleach: 2 drops of unscented bleach per litre of water, wait 30 minutes

DIY filter (last resort)

If you have no access to other methods, you can improvise a filter with layered materials. This removes particles and improves water appearance, but does not eliminate all pathogens. Always boil after filtering.

Top layer: fine sand
Middle layer: gravel
Bottom layer: activated charcoal (crushed charcoal briquettes work)
Pass water through the filter and then boil for 1 minute

Food preservation

Consumption priority

First: fresh perishables (dairy, meat, fish). Consume within the first 4 hours after the outage
Second: frozen food. A closed freezer keeps cold for 24 to 48 hours (a full freezer lasts longer)
Third: tinned food, canned goods and dry foods (rice, pasta, biscuits, nuts). These last weeks or months

Food safety rules

Do not open the fridge or freezer unnecessarily. Each opening reduces conservation time
Meat, fish or dairy that has been above 5 degrees for more than 2 hours should be discarded
When in doubt, throw it out. Food poisoning without hospital access is extremely dangerous
Alternative preservation methods: salting, smoking, sun-drying and pickling with vinegar can extend food life

Heating and cooling

Winter (staying warm)

Emergency blankets: retain 90% of body heat, fit in a pocket
Sleeping bags: effective down to sub-zero temperatures (check the rating)
Window insulation: blankets, towels or bubble wrap on windows reduce heat loss
Gather the family in one room: close doors to unused rooms to conserve warmth
Catalytic heater: runs on gas, no open flame. Always use with adequate ventilation
Layer your clothing: several thin layers are more effective than one thick layer

Summer (staying cool)

Cross-ventilation: open windows on opposite sides of the house to create airflow
Damp towels: place on forehead, neck, or hang in front of a window
Drink water regularly: stay hydrated even if you do not feel thirsty
Seek shade: close shutters on the sunny side, open on the shaded side
Avoid physical effort: during the hottest hours (12:00 to 16:00), reduce activity
Cold water baths: cool the body quickly using very little water

Hygiene without mains water

Maintaining hygiene with limited resources

Allow a minimum of 5 litres per person per day for basic hygiene (washing hands, face and body). Hygiene is essential for preventing illness, especially in prolonged situations.

Wet wipes: an effective alternative to bathing. Keep at least 2 packs in stock
Hand sanitiser (alcohol-based): for when water is unavailable. Minimum 60% alcohol content
Improvised latrine: bucket with a heavy-duty bin bag, cover each use with sand, sawdust or soil. Seal between uses
Hand washing: the absolute priority. Before eating, after using the latrine, after handling waste
Waste: keep sealed in closed bags, away from the food area. In heat, double-bag

Medication

Special attention to medication

Insulin: remains stable for up to 28 days at room temperature (below 30 degrees), without refrigeration. Never freeze
Prioritise essential medication: blood pressure, anti-epileptic, cardiac and psychiatric medication must not be interrupted
Updated list: keep a list of all medications, dosages and schedules. Share with a family member
Safety stock: keep at least 7 days of essential medication in reserve
Doctor's contact: have your GP's number and the emergency number (112) accessible without a phone

Simple DIY projects

USB solar charger

A small solar panel (5 to 10W) with a USB controller can charge phones and torches. Approximate cost: 15 to 25 euros.

A 5W panel charges a phone in 3 to 5 hours of direct sunlight
Combine with a power bank for use at night
Available at camping shops and online

Emergency candle (tuna tin)

A tin of tuna in olive oil (do not drain). Make a small hole in the centre, insert a cotton wick (strip of cloth). Light it. Burns for 2 to 3 hours.

Use a shallow tin (not deep) for better stability
The tuna remains edible afterwards
Also works with any vegetable or animal fat

Terracotta pot heater

Two terracotta pots inverted over candles. The clay absorbs heat and radiates it slowly. Warms a small area (desk, table).

Use only in a ventilated space (CO risk from candles)
Does not replace a real heater, but helps in emergencies
Place on a heat-resistant base (tile, brick)