During an outage, use a torch and keep away from damaged equipment and fallen wires. Anyone relying on life-support equipment needs a backup plan agreed with their healthcare team.
What to have ready
Before you start
CLP recommends torch or phone lighting rather than candles and leaving one lamp switched on as a restoration indicator. Check whether neighbouring flats or communal areas are also affected so management can identify the likely fault area. CLP's emergency number is 2728 8333. HK Electric's round-the-clock emergency reporting numbers are 2555 4999 for Chinese and 2555 4000 for English. Identify the supplier from your bill instead of assuming one hotline covers Hong Kong. Never touch fallen wires or approach visibly damaged electrical installations.
What to do, step by step
- Keep clear of fire, damaged wires or immediate danger and seek emergency help. For loss of life-support power, follow the healthcare backup plan and obtain urgent assistance, including 999 where necessary.
- Use a torch and ask management about other flats and building equipment. Do not repeatedly reset a tripping circuit or open electrical panels; arrange competent assistance for an installation fault.
- Report the full address, outage time and building situation to the correct supplier. Record the case reference and update instructions, and keep the phone available for essential calls rather than constant refreshes.
- After restoration, follow safety instructions and confirm essential equipment works normally. Assess stored food using the actual interruption and official food-safety guidance rather than assuming every refrigerator remained sufficiently cold.
Costs, timing, and things to check
CLP's planned-outage notification service for life-support customers guarantees neither continuous supply nor priority restoration. Discuss backup power, assistance and transport needs with the healthcare team separately.
Keep a torch, batteries, charged phone, drinking water and paper contacts accessible. Use chargers and backup equipment according to manufacturer instructions, and consider who can assist a vulnerable household member.
A practical example
If only one flat loses power while the corridor remains lit, the resident first asks management to arrange a competent installation check. If the whole building is affected, report the address and circumstances to the supplier. A household with life-support equipment simultaneously follows its agreed backup plan instead of waiting for a network restoration estimate.
Address safety and essential equipment before reporting the fault area.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.