Power cut at home in the UAE: what to do
What to do before, during and after a power cut, with the DEWA fault line for Dubai and tips for staying cool and keeping food safe.
UAE: Police 999, Ambulance 998, Fire 997- In Dubai, check the outage cause with DEWA's Smart Response service in its app or website. For faults inside your building, call your building maintenance team or a licensed electrician. For faults on DEWA's network, call 991. (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA))
- In 2024 the UAE midday break banned outdoor work in direct sun from 12:30pm to 3pm between 15 June and 15 September. Check each year's announcement; the hours are a useful guide for timing family outdoor activity too. (Gulf Today (WAM report of MoHRE announcement, 31 May 2024))
- In Dubai, call DEWA on 991, open 24 hours, for water technical emergencies. General questions go to the DEWA customer care centre on 04 601 9999. (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA))
Before a power cut
- Write key phone numbers, including your power fault line, on paper and keep them handy.[3]
- Keep torches, a battery or wind-up radio and spare batteries where everyone can find them.[1]
- Keep a charged power bank and backup batteries for any medical device you rely on.[3]
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm with battery backup and keep smoke alarms working.[2]
- Put thermometers in your fridge and freezer and keep frozen gel packs or water bottles ready.[4]
- Protect computers and televisions with surge protector power strips.[2]
- Ask your doctor how to manage medicines that need cooling and devices that need power.[2]
- Agree a plan to check on neighbours, especially older or vulnerable people.[3]
From our guide: Power outage (sources listed there).
During a power cut
- Check your fuse box first. If neighbours are also dark, report the outage to your utility.[1]
- Switch off or unplug appliances and electronics to avoid a surge when power returns.[2]
- Keep fridge and freezer doors shut. A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours.[4]
- Use torches rather than candles. If you must use candles, never leave them unattended.[1]
- Never run generators, barbecues or camping heaters indoors, in garages or near windows.[5]
- Run any generator outside, at least 6 metres (20 feet) from doors, windows and vents.[5]
- Never plug a generator into a wall socket. It can harm utility workers.[1]
- If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get out at once and call emergency services.[2]
From our guide: Power outage (sources listed there).
When the power comes back
- Keep well away from fallen power lines and report them to the authorities.[2]
- Reconnect heating or cooling first, then fridge and freezer, then other appliances 10 to 15 minutes later.[1]
- Make sure your water heater is full before switching its power back on.[2]
- Do not use wet sockets or flooded appliances until an electrician has checked them.[1]
- Throw away perishable food left without power or cold for over 4 hours. Never taste test.[4]
- Refreeze or cook thawed food only if it still has ice crystals or reads 4°C (40°F) or below.[4]
- Reset clocks and alarms, then replace any kit supplies you used.[1]
From our guide: Power outage (sources listed there).
Staying cool without air conditioning
- Never leave children, adults or pets in a parked car, even briefly.[1]
- Drink plenty of water through the day and limit alcohol.[2]
- Stay out of direct sun around the middle of the day and keep to the shade.[2]
- Wear loose, light-coloured, lightweight clothes and a wide-brimmed hat.[1]
- Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling in very hot rooms. Use air conditioning or a cool place.[3]
- Take cool showers and use the oven less to keep the home cooler.[1]
- Look in on older relatives, neighbours who live alone and anyone with a long-term illness.[2]
- Give pets shade and cool water, and keep their paws off hot pavement.[1]
From our guide: Extreme heat (sources listed there).
If the water is off too
- Check your water supplier's website for updates on service in your area.[1]
- Save bottled water for drinking, cooking, handwashing and baby formula.[1]
- Under a boil notice, bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute, then cool and store covered.[3]
- No way to boil? Add 2 drops of 5 to 9% unscented bleach per litre, stir and wait at least 30 minutes.[3]
- Filter cloudy water through a clean cloth first, and double the bleach dose.[3]
- Boiling does not remove chemicals. Under a do not drink notice, use only bottled water.[4]
- Skip fridge ice and water dispensers. Brush teeth with bottled or boiled water.[4]
- If toilets cannot flush, line the bowl with a bag, cover waste with sawdust, and seal it.[2]
From our guide: Water supply failure (sources listed there).
Every step on this page comes from an official source cited on the linked guide. Always follow instructions from UAE authorities.