Winter preparations

At Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), we want people to know how to cope if their electricity supplies are interrupted.

Despite regular maintenance and investment in the network, storms, vandalism, third party damage and other events can still affect your electricity supply.

Find out more about NIE's network maintenance and investment plans.

How you can prepare

• Know where your household fuses and trip switches are so that you can check if there is a problem with your own electrics
• Keep a supply of batteries for radios, torches and candles in the house
• Customers dependent on electrical equipment for healthcare should join our critical care register

If your electricity goes off

• Customers should first check their household trip switch and fuses
• Tell us - contact us via our customer helpine 08457 643 643. You may be put through to our automated service where you can leave details of the premises affected by the interruption and receive a message providing the latest information available
• Never approach broken lines or damaged poles, and keep children and animals away. Ensure electric cookers and heaters are switched off, but leave a light on so you know when the power is restored.
• Take care if using candles or other naked flames
• If you are using a generator, be careful where you site it in case of carbon monoxide poisoning
• Listen to the radio for information bulletins
• Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours or relatives