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What to do if…
your whole home loses power and you are unsure if it is a local outage

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Check for immediate danger first. If there is no fire, smoke, burning smell, sparking, or downed line, do one safe breaker or GFCI check, then report a likely wider outage to your electric utility.

Do not do these things

  • Do not go near a downed power line, a sagging wire, or anything the line may be touching.
  • Do not run a generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, porch, or carport.
  • Do not run a generator near doors, windows, or vents; keep it outdoors at least 20 feet away, with the exhaust directed away from homes and openings.
  • Do not plug a generator into a wall outlet or try to power your home wiring without a properly installed transfer switch.
  • Do not use a gas stove, oven, charcoal grill, or camp stove to heat your home.
  • Do not keep flipping a breaker if it trips again right away.
  • Do not use candles if you can use flashlights or battery lights instead. If you must use candles, keep them in stable holders, away from anything that can burn, and never leave them unattended.

What to do now

  1. Do a fast danger check. If you smell burning, see sparks, hear arcing, see smoke, or see fire, move away from the area and call 911. If you can safely reach the main breaker without going near the hazard, turn it off first.

  2. Look outside from a safe place. Check whether nearby homes, porch lights, streetlights, or businesses also appear dark. Do not walk around in the dark or approach wires to investigate.

  3. Text or call a nearby neighbor if you can. Ask whether they have power. This is often the quickest way to tell whether it may be a utility outage or only your property.

  4. Check your electrical panel once, if it is safe and dry. Look for a main breaker or a breaker sitting between ON and OFF. Move a tripped breaker fully to OFF, then back to ON one time. If it trips again, leave it OFF.

  5. Check likely GFCI outlets once if only some areas are out or the breaker panel looks normal. Look for Test and Reset buttons in bathrooms, the kitchen, garage, basement, laundry area, and outdoor outlets. Press Reset once if you find a tripped GFCI.

  6. If nearby homes or streetlights are also out, report the outage to your electric utility by phone, app, or website. Check the outage map once if you need confirmation, then preserve your phone battery.

  7. If you see a downed line, a wire across a road or yard, a pole fire, or a line touching a tree, vehicle, fence, or building, stay well away and call 911. Also report it to your utility if you can do so safely.

  8. Protect essentials while you wait. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Unplug sensitive electronics such as TVs, computers, and game consoles. Leave one light switched on so you know when power returns.

  9. If anyone depends on electricity for a medical device, oxygen equipment, powered mobility, heat, cooling, or refrigerated medicine, act early. If their health may be at immediate risk, call 911. If the situation is stable, contact your utility and ask about medical needs, life-support, or priority-notification programs; names and rules vary.

  10. If neighbors have power and your breaker or GFCI will not stay on, treat it as a home electrical fault. Keep the affected breaker off, avoid using that circuit, and contact a licensed electrician, landlord, or property manager urgently.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide now about replacing food, buying equipment, or paying for repairs.
  • You do not need to troubleshoot every outlet or appliance; one safe breaker or GFCI check is enough for now.
  • You do not need to post online or keep refreshing an outage map; save phone battery for utility contact, emergency calls, and updates.
  • You do not need to clean up near wires, damaged panels, or burned electrical equipment.

Important reassurance

A whole-home power loss is often a utility outage or a protective breaker shutting power off. A few calm checks can usually tell you which direction to go without taking electrical risks.

Scope note

These are first steps for the first minutes or hours. Later decisions about wiring, food safety, insurance, repairs, rental responsibilities, or backup power may need help from your utility, landlord, electrician, insurer, local emergency officials, or another qualified professional.

Important note

This is general information, not electrical, legal, medical, financial, therapeutic, or professional advice. If there is fire, smoke, a downed line, a carbon monoxide alarm, or an immediate health risk, call 911.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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