Power's out

What to do, in order

1. Check whether your neighbours have power.
2. If they do, go to your switchboard (the electricity box, often outside) and see if a safety switch has tripped. If it has, reset it.
3. If the safety switch won't reset, leave it off and call a licensed electrician.
4. If the street is out too, call your electricity distributor - the company that owns the poles and wires - to report it, and check its website or app for a restore time.
5. Turn off and unplug appliances, especially heaters and cooking appliances, so nothing starts up unattended when the power returns. Leave one light switched on so you know when it's back.
6. If lights are dim or flickering, don't touch the switchboard or anything metal. Turn off power points you can easily reach, unplug appliances and call your distributor.
7. Use a torch, not candles. Never run a generator, barbecue or outdoor gas heater indoors - they give off carbon monoxide.
8. If someone at home relies on life support equipment, call your distributor straight away.
9. An NBN landline won't work without power - use a mobile to call 000.
10. If you see a fallen powerline, sparks or fire outside, keep well clear (see A powerline is down).

Who to call

Electricity, gas and water faults go to whoever owns the network in your street, so only one of these regional numbers is yours. It is also printed on your bill. Find your electricity distributor by postcode.

• Triple Zero (000) 000

  Someone's life is in danger, or there is a fire.

• CitiPower (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 12 80

  Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

  Covers: Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs

• Powercor (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 24 12

  Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

  Covers: Melbourne's western suburbs, and central and western Victoria out to the SA and NSW borders

• Jemena (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 16 26

  Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

  Covers: North and western Melbourne

• United Energy (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 20 99

  Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

  Covers: Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula

• AusNet (electricity faults and emergencies) 13 17 99

  Report a power outage, a fallen or damaged powerline, dim or flickering lights, or tingles/shocks from taps or appliances.

  Covers: Eastern and north-eastern Victoria, and Melbourne's north and east

• VicEmergency Hotline (information during emergencies) 1800 226 226

  Information about an emergency such as a storm, flood or fire in your area.

When you need a electrician

Call a licensed electrician if the safety switch won't reset, or fuses, circuit breakers or safety switches keep turning off. Also call one if the street has power back but your home doesn't: that can mean damage on your side (the switchboard or the line into the house), and the distributor will not reconnect until an electrician has repaired it and sent a Certificate of Electrical Safety. Renting? No electricity supply is a legally urgent repair: call your rental provider or agent on the emergency number you were given and confirm it in writing.