Power outages are part of winter and storm season in much of Chile. When the grid goes down at night, the priority is safety and food, notifying the distribution company and, while power returns, making the most of the evening. Here is a practical guide on what to do during a power outage, from the first minute until supply is restored.
What to do during a power outage: the first minutes
- Check whether the outage is only in your home: see if neighbours or street lights have power. If only your home is affected, check the fuse box.
- Unplug sensitive equipment: computers, TVs and appliances can be damaged by the surge when power returns.
- Use torches rather than candles: if you use candles, keep them on a stable surface away from curtains, and never leave them lit while sleeping.
- Notify your distribution company: the emergency number is on your bill. Ask for a claim number, which is useful later if compensation applies.
What happens to the food in your fridge
The main rule is to keep the doors closed. According to US government food safety guidance (FoodSafety.gov), a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours (24 if half full).
| Appliance | Approximate time with the door closed | What to do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | About 4 hours | Throw away meat, dairy and cooked food kept above 4 °C for more than 2 hours |
| Full freezer | About 48 hours | Food that still has ice crystals can be refrozen |
| Half-full freezer | About 24 hours | Check each item before refreezing |
How long each appliance lasts depends on its size and insulation. To learn how much yours uses, see how much electricity a refrigerator uses.
What to have on hand for a power outage
| Item | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Torches and spare batteries | Light without fire risk |
| Charged power bank | Keep your phone on to stay informed and make calls |
| Battery radio | Follow the news if the internet goes down |
| Bottled water | In some buildings, water pumps depend on electricity |
| Card or board games | Pass the time without screens |
How to spend a night without electricity
With no TV or internet, a power cut can be a good excuse to disconnect. Some ideas that need nothing more than a torch:
- Card games: UNO, carioca or truco work perfectly under a battery lamp.
- Board games: the classics don't need a plug.
- Storytelling: everyone tells an anecdote or builds a story from a single word.
- Question games: for adults who know each other well, spicier question games always get a laugh; for everyone else, "would you rather" or "never have I ever".
What not to do during a power outage
- Don't use generators, braziers or grills indoors: they produce carbon monoxide, a gas you can't see or smell that can be deadly in enclosed spaces.
- Don't leave the car running in a closed garage to charge your phone, for the same reason.
- Don't touch fallen cables in the street or try to repair the grid: notify the distribution company and keep children and pets away.
- Don't keep opening the fridge "to check": every opening shortens the time food stays cold.
- Don't use lifts if there is a risk the power could go out again.
How to charge your phone without power
Your phone is your main source of information during an outage, so it's worth saving battery from the first minute: lower the brightness, turn on battery saver and close apps you aren't using. A charged power bank gives one or more full charges, depending on its capacity.
If you don't have a power bank, the car charger is an option, always with the car outdoors and never in a closed garage. Portable solar chargers also work, although they charge slowly and depend on the sun.
What to do during a scheduled power outage
Some outages are announced in advance for grid maintenance work. Distribution companies publish them on their websites and social media, with the area and the time. If you know an outage is coming:
- Charge your phone, power bank and torches the day before.
- Freeze bottles of water: they help keep the fridge and freezer cold.
- Save your work files and shut down computers before the outage starts.
- If someone in your home depends on electric medical equipment, notify the distribution company in advance.
The power outage kit by type of household
| Household | What to add to the basic kit |
|---|---|
| With young children | A torch for each child, board games and snacks that don't need cooking |
| With older adults | Battery night lights in hallways and bathroom, and medicines at hand |
| With pets | Extra water and a lead at hand in case you need to go out |
| High-rise flat | Bottled water, because the pump may stop working |
What to do during a long power outage: compensation
If the outage was long and unscheduled, the distribution company may owe compensation, calculated according to its duration and deducted from your bill. That's why it's worth keeping the claim number. A recent precedent is the 2021 outages: the Supreme Court upheld the ruling against Enel, as we explained in our article on the ruling.
When power returns, plug appliances back in one at a time. To see how much your home uses in a normal month, check how much electricity a house in Chile uses.
Frequently asked questions
How long does fridge food last during a power outage?
About 4 hours if the door stays closed; a full freezer, about 48 hours.
Who do I call when the power goes out?
Your local electricity distribution company; the emergency number is on your bill.
Will I be compensated for a power outage?
If the outage was unscheduled and long, compensation may apply and is deducted from your bill.
