Keep a way to call during a power cut

Find out what depends on electricity

Ask your phone provider whether your line is digital and what will stop working if mains power or broadband fails. Write down the answer.

A router, fibre connection box, powered handset base and alarm unit may each need power. A charged cordless handset does not necessarily keep its base station working. Some basic corded phones on analogue lines can work during a local power cut, but this depends on the exchange still having power.

Government guidance on digital landlines (opens in a new tab)

Ask for a suitable emergency-call backup

Ofcom says that if you depend on your landline and do not have a working mobile or reliable mobile signal, your provider must offer a free backup solution so you can contact emergency services during a power cut. It must last at least one hour.

Tell the provider about disability, mobility, communication needs or previous long outages. Ask how long the proposed solution lasts in standby and during calls, which equipment it powers and how to use it. One hour is a minimum, not a promise that every outage will be covered.

Ofcom: your landline is going digital (opens in a new tab)

Check telecare separately

Tell both your telephone provider and your telecare provider about a pendant, falls alarm or other connected device. Ask them to confirm compatibility before a line change and arrange the provider's approved test after installation.

A backup intended for 999 calls does not automatically keep calls to an alarm monitoring centre working. The alarm and every part of its connection need sufficient backup. Even an alarm using a mobile network depends on coverage and network resilience.

• Ask how long the alarm and connection each last without mains power.
• Confirm who receives a failure alert and what response you should expect.
• Agree a fallback if the alarm cannot connect or the outage outlasts its batteries.

Government telecare action plan: power resilience (opens in a new tab)

Your backup checklist

• Keep a usable mobile and power bank charged, with the correct cable.
• Check mobile reception where you can safely make a call.
• Keep a paper copy of key numbers and your address near the phone.
• Ask the supplier how to maintain, test and replace backup batteries.
• Agree a check-in with someone you trust if both phone and alarm fail.
• Practise the supplier's approved checks. Do not call 999 to test equipment or interrupt medical equipment to simulate an outage.

During a longer outage

Use your agreed backup and keep essential devices charged. A mobile 999 call can use another available mobile network if your own has no signal, but some network coverage is still needed. Home Wi-Fi calling also depends on working broadband and power.

If a person's care relies on connected equipment, follow their care plan and seek help before its backup is exhausted.

Ofcom: staying connected in severe weather (opens in a new tab)