Long power outage in Erlangen (easy language)

Power outages are very rare in Germany.
Power outages usually only occur in small areas.
For example, in a street, a residential area or a town.
Experts say:
There are unlikely to be any long power outages this winter either.

Power outages are often over after a few hours.
In an emergency, however, it sometimes takes a few days
until people have power again.
For example, in the event of flooding or a severe storm.

On these pages you will find important information about power outages.
This will help you prepare for an emergency.
Also think about people nearby:
these people may also need help.

Can there be a long power cut?

A long power outage in a large area is called a "blackout".
Blackout is English and is pronounced like this: bleck aut.
A blackout also affects companies, hospitals or schools.

Very bad weather can lead to a blackout.
For example, storms, thunderstorms or heavy snowfall.
This damages or destroys power lines.

Suddenly very high electricity consumption
can also lead to a power outage.
For example: Many people use fan heaters or electric heaters in the evening,
because they want to save expensive gas.

The power will probably not be out for long.
But it is always better to be safe than sorry:
That's why you should prepare for it anyway.

Source and further information:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/klimaschutz/stromausfall-blackout-2129818

What can happen in the event of a long power outage in Erlangen?

In the event of a blackout, you will no longer be able to use many of the things you are used to:

What will change in your home?
You will no longer be able to use electrical appliances.
For example, the washing machine or iron.

The fridge and freezer no longer work.
The food in them spoils.

The oven and stove no longer work.
You can no longer cook food.

The central heating no longer works.
The apartment gets cold and there is no more hot water.

The water pumps no longer work.
There is only a little drinking water left.

There is no more electric light.
It gets dark in your apartment.

What has changed with the telephone and internet?
Telephone, radio, television and internet no longer work.
You no longer receive any information.
Even cell phone calls are hardly possible.
The cell phone network collapses quickly.

What has changed when shopping?
Supermarkets and stores are closed or only open for a short time.
You can hardly buy any food or other items.

Money cards no longer work.
You can only pay with cash.

ATMs are no longer working.
You cannot withdraw cash.

Petrol stations are closed.
You can no longer refuel your car.

Where can you get help?
The state and the city of Erlangen will help you.
But taking your own precautions is still very important!
Help among neighbors is also very important!

That is why it is absolutely essential:
Stock up on emergency supplies at home!

How can you tell the difference between a "normal" power cut
and a major power cut?

You notice:
The lights are off or the refrigerator is no longer working.
Has the power only gone out in your home?
The reason may also be in your home.

Check the power distribution box:
Have any fuses tripped?
If so, switch the RCD back on.

But be careful!
Check the appliances first,
that were on when the fuse tripped.
Do you see any damaged cables or is the appliance broken?
Switch on one appliance at a time.
This will allow you to recognize:
Which appliance caused the power cut?

Can't find the reason for the power cut?
Then have the house installation checked by an electrician.
Electrical appliances may only be repaired by specialists.

Do the neighboring apartments or houses also have no power?
Then it could be a local power cut.
Perhaps your entire street is affected by the power cut.
Call the municipal utility company.
Stadt-Werke will take care of the power cut.
The telephone number of Stadt-Werke is
09131 823 33 33

What should you do in the event of a power cut?

Stay calm!
Check: Is the reason for the power cut in your home?

Most power outages in Germany are only in a small area.
Most power outages are quickly repaired.
Unplug all plugged-in devices from the sockets.
This will prevent the power grid from being overloaded,
when the power comes back on.

Do you have a radio that runs on batteries?
Switch the radio on.
If there is a power outage in a large area,
you will receive information via the radio.

Be careful with candles.
Candles can cause a fire in your home.
This is particularly important:
You must not use barbecues, open fires or gas stoves in your home!
This can cause a fire or
People can suffocate from the gases.

Help other people:

• People with disabilities,
• Children and young people,
• people who live alone,
• elderly people or
• People who cannot understand important information well

How do you get information during a long power cut?

During a long power outage
Television, Internet and cell phone hardly work or not at all.
Get a radio with batteries.
You will receive all information via the radio.
There are also radios with solar cells or radios with a hand crank.
These radios are even better.
You can also use a car radio.

The city informs people with loudspeaker vehicles.
These are cars with a loudspeaker,
that drive through the streets and provide information loudly.

Who can you ask in an emergency in the event of a major power cut?

There are contact points for you in the parts of the city.
In the event of a health emergency, you can make emergency calls to the contact points.
You will receive information there.

[LINK] https://geodaten.erlangen.de/anlaufstellen/

How does the city of Erlangen prepare for a long power outage?

Erlangen has an office for fire protection and disaster control:
The office regularly carries out disaster protection exercises.
The office makes plans for events
that could cause major damage:
For example, floods, heavy rain or storms.

The employees plan the contact points
for the people in the parts of the city.

The University Hospital in Erlangen has an emergency power supply.
This means that
The hospital can continue to supply people,
but with restrictions.

What can you do,
to prepare for a prolonged power outage?

Stock up on food and essential household items
(see question on food storage) .

Always have some cash at home.
ATMs will no longer work in the event of a power cut.
In the event of a power cut, you will no longer be able to pay with a debit card.

Buy a radio with batteries or a radio with a crank,
to get information from the authorities.

Battery chargers with solar cells are also useful.
You can recharge your cell phone with a charged power bank.

Talk to people in your neighborhood now,
whether they need help in an emergency:
For example, people with walking or visual impairments or people living alone.

If you need help yourself:
Talk to neighbors or acquaintances now,
if they can help you in an emergency.

You can find more helpful tips at the following link.
[LINK BBK]

https://www.bbk.bund.de/DE/Warnung-Vorsorge/Tipps-Notsituationen/Stromausfall/stromausfall_node.html

What do you need for your food supply?

You should always have a supply of food in the house.
A supply of food is necessary in the event of

• a long power cut,
• severe storms,
• high water,
• very high temperatures or
• heavy snow and icy conditions
• an illness that requires you to stay in bed.

In all these cases, you may not be able to leave your home.
You will also not be able to go shopping.

The following link will tell you:
What and how much food you should have at home for emergencies.

[LINK] https://www.bbk.bund.de/DE/Warnung-Vorsorge/Vorsorge/Bevorraten/bevorraten_node.html

What documents should you have to hand in an emergency?

Sometimes things have to happen very quickly:
You have to leave your home quickly because

• a flood threatens
• a world war bomb is being defused
• a fire has broken out.

Put important documents in one place.
Then you can quickly pack the documents and take them with you.

Important documents are, for example

• Family deeds,
• savings books,
• securities,
• certificates or
• wills.

A list of important documents can be found under the following link:

[LINK BBK]