Emergency calls during a power cut
Guide reference: HG-0015
Quote this reference if you contact us about this guide.
Approx. 4 min read
Plan for 999 when the electricity goes off. Digital phone services need power at home. During a power cut your home phone may not work unless equipment has...
Don't worry. A few simple plans help you know how to reach 999 if the electricity goes off.
Quick answer
Digital phone services need power at home. During a power cut your home phone may not work unless equipment has backup power or you use a charged mobile. Plan before a cut happens, not during one.
More detail
Old copper phone lines could sometimes keep a basic wired phone working without mains electricity. Digital phone services do not work that way.
Physical line: your router or adapter box needs mains power. When electricity fails, the phone plugged into Phone1 stops unless the box has battery backup.
Home2Phone: the Geemarc box or GSM handset we supply needs power. When mains fails, the home phone service stops unless that equipment has power again.
Home2Mobile: your own mobile phone with the SIM needs charge and signal. A flat phone cannot call anyone, including 999.
Cordless phones need power at the base station too, even if the main phone box has backup power.
999 and 112 from your home phone number only work when your equipment has power and the line is working.
A charged mobile phone is the most practical backup for many households. Keep one where you can reach it.
Plan before a power cut
Know which service you have: Physical line, Home2Phone, or Home2Mobile.
Know where the powered equipment is plugged in, including cordless phone base stations.
Keep a charged mobile phone in an easy-to-reach place if anyone may need 999 during a cut.
Physical line only: ask us about battery backup for your router or adapter box if 999 from the home phone is important to you.
Tell carers, neighbours, or family about your plan.
During a cut: use your charged mobile for 999 if the home phone is dead.
After power returns: restart your equipment and test dial tone. See Phone not working after a power cut
Common mistakes
- Assuming the home phone will work in a cut like old copper lines often did.
- Forgetting cordless base stations need their own mains power.
- Having no charged mobile as a backup for 999.
- Unplugging the phone box during a storm and forgetting to plug it back in when power returns.
Things to know
- See Power backup for your phone for battery units on a Physical line router or adapter box.
- See Phone not working after a power cut for steps after electricity returns.
- See Registering for emergency services for how your address is sent with 999 calls.
- Care alarms also need power and a working phone line. Tell your alarm provider.
Frequently asked questions
Does 999 work on a digital home phone?
Only when your equipment has power and the line is working. During a power cut the home phone may not work.
What about a Physical line with battery backup?
A backup unit can keep the router or adapter box running for a limited time. Ask us what suits your equipment. See Power backup for your phone
What about Home2Phone in a cut?
The Geemarc box or GSM handset needs mains power or charge. Keep a charged mobile for 999.
What about Home2Mobile in a cut?
Charge your mobile phone. 999 works from the phone if it has battery and signal.
Can I test 999 to check it works?
No. Never dial 999 as a test. Plan using this guide and keep a charged mobile instead.