PanicStation.org
UK USA
us Home & property emergencies whole house power outage • no power in my house • sudden power outage at home • power out only my house • neighbours have power • neighbourhood blackout • breaker panel tripped • main breaker off • gfci outlets tripped • utility outage report • downed power line nearby • burning smell electrical • outage at night • outage and no cell service • fridge freezer during outage • generator safety • carbon monoxide risk • medical device needs electricity • unplug electronics surge risk

What to do if…
your whole home loses power and you are unsure whether it is just your property

Short answer

First, check for immediate hazards and then confirm whether it’s just your home by checking with neighbors and your breaker panel. If it looks like a wider outage, report it to your electric utility; if you see a downed line or fire risk, call 911.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t go near or touch downed power lines or anything they’re touching.
  • Don’t run a generator in a home, garage, basement, or near doors/windows—run it outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents (carbon monoxide can kill).
  • Don’t use a gas stove/oven or charcoal grill to heat your home.
  • Don’t keep flipping breakers on/off repeatedly if they trip right away (could indicate a serious fault).
  • Don’t use candles if you can avoid it. If you must, use stable holders, keep them away from anything flammable, and never leave them unattended.

What to do now

  1. Do a fast safety check. If you smell burning, see sparks, hear arcing, or see smoke:
    • If safe, turn off the main breaker to cut power to the home.
    • Leave the area and call 911 if there’s fire/smoke or immediate danger.
  2. Check whether it’s just your home.
    • Look outside for neighborhood signs: are nearby homes/streetlights out?
    • If you can, text/call a neighbor (don’t go wandering in the dark).
  3. Check your breaker panel safely.
    • Find your electrical panel and look for a main breaker or a breaker sitting in the middle (tripped).
    • Flip a tripped breaker fully OFF, then back ON once.
    • If it trips again immediately, stop—leave it OFF and move on.
  4. Check for a common “multiple rooms out” cause (GFCI).
    • If your home has GFCI outlets, a tripped GFCI can sometimes knock out multiple outlets/lights. Look for “Test/Reset” buttons in bathrooms, kitchen, garage, exterior outlets. Reset once if found.
  5. If it’s a wider outage: report and get updates.
    • Report the outage to your electric utility (phone/app/website—use whichever preserves phone battery best).
    • If your utility has an outage map, check once for confirmation/ETR, then conserve battery.
    • If you see downed lines, a pole fire, or a line across a roadway/yard: call 911.
  6. Reduce damage and stay safe while you wait.
    • Unplug sensitive electronics (TV, computer) to reduce surge damage when power returns.
    • Keep refrigerator/freezer doors closed as much as possible.
    • Keep one light switched on so you’ll know when power is back.
  7. If someone depends on electricity for health/safety needs, act early.
    • If a medical device can’t operate safely, call 911.
    • If the situation is stable but you anticipate a longer outage, contact your utility to ask about any medical baseline/priority options (programs vary by utility/state).
  8. If it appears to be only your property (neighbors have power) and breakers won’t stay on:
    • Treat it as a home electrical fault. Avoid using that circuit, keep the breaker OFF, and contact a licensed electrician or your landlord/property manager urgently.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide now about replacing food, buying equipment, or long-term repairs—first confirm whether it’s a utility outage or a home electrical fault.
  • You don’t need to troubleshoot every device; one safe breaker/GFCI check is enough for now.
  • You don’t need to post updates online—save phone battery for utility/emergency contact.

Important reassurance

A whole-home outage is often either a utility outage or a single protective shutoff (breaker/GFCI) doing its job. A calm check plus reporting to the right place quickly reduces uncertainty and helps restore service safely.

Scope note

This covers first steps in the first minutes/hours. If you suspect wiring damage, equipment failure, or the outage lasts a long time, you may need your utility, landlord, electrician, or emergency services depending on hazards and medical needs.

Important note

This is general information, not electrical, legal, or medical advice. If you see downed lines, fire/smoke, or anyone’s health is at risk due to loss of power, call emergency services.

Additional Resources
Support us