Blackout in the middle of the night: Keep these items beside your bed

A power cut in the middle of the night feels very different from one during the day. You may wake because a fan stops, appliances go quiet or an alarm begins to beep. At the same time, the room is completely dark and you may still be half asleep. That is when unnecessary injuries happen through tripping, hurried searching or reaching for the wrong light source.

Keep a small basic kit beside the bed. The most important item is a torch or headlamp that is always kept in the same place. Use one with charged batteries or a reliable rechargeable battery. A headlamp is especially useful because it leaves both hands free.

Glasses, sturdy slippers and mechanical keys should also be within reach. Walking barefoot through a dark home increases the risk of stepping on broken objects, toys or other hazards. Slippers with a firm sole provide simple protection.

Candles should not be the first source of light. People who have just woken up move less carefully, and open flames add a fire risk. Begin with a torch or rechargeable lamp. Use candles only when necessary and only when they can be placed safely.

Keep your mobile phone close enough to reach at night. It provides communication, information and emergency light. If you charge it overnight, avoid leaving it in another room.

Homes with children, older people or pets benefit from a simple plan. Decide who checks which room and who helps anyone who may need assistance. This prevents several people from moving unnecessarily through a dark home.

Before opening an electrical panel or checking breakers, first establish whether the outage affects only your home or the wider area. Looking out of a window may show whether streetlights and neighbouring buildings are also dark. Never inspect electrical equipment in complete darkness.

Blocks of flats may also lose lifts, electric door releases, garage doors, intercoms and water pumps. Mechanical keys and a clear route to the exit are therefore important.

Night-time blackout preparedness can be surprisingly simple: light, shoes, keys and a reachable phone. If those four things always remain in the same place, the first minutes begin with orientation rather than confusion.