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Guide · GUIDE 04

Get through a power outage

Last reviewed on 29.06.2026

During a power outage, first stay calm: battery or crank FM radio for official information, torch instead of candles, cash on hand (ATMs and card payments fail). If electricity becomes scarce over a longer period (electricity shortage), the OSTRAL organisation manages the measures — in the final stage, planned cyclical grid shutdowns. Follow the authorities' appeals to save energy.

Most power outages in Switzerland are over within minutes to hours. But plan for 72 hours: that is how long it can take to resolve a large-scale outage. Main rule: stay calm and save batteries.

What stops working during a power outage?

Power is the central dependency of modern infrastructure. With it, other things quickly fail: heating control, refrigeration appliances, ATMs and tills, after a few hours often the water supply (pumps) and – once the backup power of the mobile masts is exhausted – the mobile network.

The first hours are usually uncritical. After half a day, the cold chain, heating and communication become critical. That is exactly what preparation is for.

The first hours

  1. Check: only your flat (fuses) or the whole neighbourhood?
  2. Leave one lamp plugged in – it shows when the power returns
  3. Keep refrigeration appliances closed: the fridge holds about 4 h, the freezer 24–48 h (guide values)
  4. Battery radio or car radio: SRF 1 informs
  5. Phone in flight mode – ration the battery

What do I do during a prolonged power outage?

  1. Gas cooker only with good ventilation – never grill/generator indoors (carbon monoxide!)
  2. Set up one room as a warm base
  3. Municipal emergency meeting point: help & information are available there
  4. Count on cash – tills & ATMs fail
  5. Look after weaker people in the neighbourhood

Concrete material & quantity examples

The goal is to manage 72 hours without the grid. The equipment largely overlaps with the emergency supplies.

  1. Light: head torch (hands free), torch, candles + lighter, plenty of spare batteries
  2. Information: crank or battery radio (FM/DAB+); some crank radios also charge the phone
  3. Energy: one or two charged power banks, car charger as backup
  4. Cooking: gas cooker with several spare cartridges – use only with good ventilation
  5. Warmth: warm clothing in layers, sleeping bags, blankets, survival blanket
  6. Water & food: emergency supplies plus at least 9 L of water per person, food without refrigeration
  7. Cash in small notes
  8. Optional: CO detector if heating/cooking with gas or open flame

Common mistakes

  1. Constantly opening the fridge/freezer – the cold escapes and the cold chain breaks
  2. Running a generator, charcoal grill or gas cooker in a closed room → fatal carbon monoxide poisoning
  3. Draining the phone battery with streaming or constantly searching for a network instead of using flight mode
  4. Letting candles burn unattended (fire hazard)
  5. Relying on card payment instead of keeping cash ready

Frequently asked questions

What should I do in the first few hours of a power cut?

Check: is it just your flat (circuit breaker) or the neighbourhood? · Leave a lamp plugged in – it will show when power returns · Leave cooling appliances on: a fridge keeps cool for about 4 hours, a freezer 24–48 hours (approximate values) · Battery or car radio: SRF 1 keeps you informed · Mobile phone in airplane mode – ration your battery

How long will a fridge stay cold without power?

As a rough guide, a closed fridge stays cold for about 4 hours, a freezer for 24 to 48 hours. Important: keep doors closed so the cold doesn't escape.

How long should I prepare for a power cut to last?

Plan for 72 hours (3 days). Most outages are over in minutes to hours, but a widespread outage can last longer.

Why can't I run a generator, grill or gas cooker indoors during a power outage?

Because they produce carbon monoxide – a gas that can cause fatal poisoning. Never run a generator or charcoal grill in closed rooms, and use a gas cooker only with good ventilation. If you heat or cook with gas or an open flame, a CO detector is advisable.

Will water and mobile networks also fail during a power outage?

Yes, it's possible. When the power goes out, heating controls, refrigerators, cash machines and tills stop working. After several hours, water supply often fails because pumps lose power, and when mobile phone antenna backup power is exhausted, mobile networks also break down. The first few hours are usually not critical.

Official sources