Tip: The 24-hour apartment-block power outage plan

A local power outage in an apartment block is different from a short outage in a detached house. It is not only lights and the fridge that are affected. Elevators, water pumps, intercoms, electric entrance doors, garage gates, routers and stairwell lighting can all fail at once. Every building therefore needs a simple 24-hour plan.

Start with safety. If a lift stops, do not try to force doors open. Call building management, the emergency service or the fire brigade if people are trapped. Use staircases only with safe light. A small headlamp or flashlight belongs in every apartment.

Next comes water. In many buildings, rooftop or storage tanks are filled by electric pumps. If the pump stops, the tap may soon run dry. Keep at least a few litres of drinking water per person within reach. Extra water for toilets and basic cleaning is also useful.

Cooling and food come next. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Use food that spoils quickly first. In hot weather, create shade, close curtains, avoid unnecessary movement and briefly check elderly neighbours.

Communication must work offline. Write important phone numbers on paper: building management, electrician, utility, neighbours, family and emergency services. Recharge power banks regularly. Agree on a simple meeting point in the building, such as the entrance or courtyard.

Never use charcoal grills, camping stoves or generators inside apartments, stairwells, garages or basements. Carbon monoxide can be deadly. A good 24-hour plan is not complicated. It simply stops a local outage from becoming immediate chaos.