A power outage can turn from a minor inconvenience into a genuine problem surprisingly quickly. The lights going out is one thing. Losing refrigeration, internet access or the ability to charge your phone can make everyday life considerably more difficult, especially when there is no clear indication of when power will return.

The best approach is to decide in advance which appliances actually need to keep running. Some households use generators as part of their backup plan, while others rely on portable power stations, battery packs or a combination of different options. Whatever approach you choose, the priority should be keeping genuinely important devices operating rather than trying to power the entire house.

A little preparation can make an unexpected outage much easier to manage. Here's how to decide what matters, reduce unnecessary electricity use and keep essential equipment operating for as long as possible.

Decide What Really Needs Power

When electricity is limited, not every appliance deserves equal priority. Your television, dishwasher and clothes dryer can probably wait. Refrigeration, communication and certain safety equipment may be far more important.

Before an outage happens, make a short list of appliances and devices you would want to keep operating. Depending on your household, this could include:

• Refrigerator or freezer

• Mobile phones and chargers

• Internet modem and router

• Essential lighting

• Medical or accessibility equipment

• Fans during hot weather

• Small cooking appliances

Keeping the list short makes it much easier to plan an appropriate backup power setup.

Know How Much Electricity Your Appliances Use

One of the most common mistakes during an outage is connecting too many appliances to a backup power source.

Appliances vary enormously in how much electricity they require. A phone charger uses relatively little, while refrigerators, heaters, air conditioners and cooking appliances can require considerably more.

Check the labels or manuals for the equipment you intend to power and look for its wattage. Remember that some appliances with electric motors can briefly require additional power when starting.

Add up the requirements of the equipment you expect to run simultaneously and make sure your backup power source can safely handle the load. Leaving some spare capacity is generally wiser than operating equipment continuously at its maximum limit.

Keep the Refrigerator and Freezer Closed

You don't necessarily need to power your refrigerator every second of an outage.

A closed refrigerator can remain cold for several hours, while a well-stocked freezer can retain its temperature considerably longer if the door stays shut. Every time you open the door, however, cold air escapes.

During an outage, decide what you need before opening the fridge or freezer rather than repeatedly checking inside. If you have drinks or snacks that don't require refrigeration, use those first.

This simple habit can reduce how frequently you need to run backup power for cooling.

Use Smaller Devices Where Possible

Sometimes the easiest way to extend your available power is to avoid using large appliances altogether.

Instead of lighting an entire room, use rechargeable lamps or torches. Charge phones from portable battery packs rather than running a larger power source solely for a small device. If you need entertainment, a charged tablet will generally make more sense than powering a large television.

Think about the task you need to accomplish rather than automatically reaching for the appliance you would normally use.

Prepare Before Bad Weather Arrives

The worst time to discover that your backup equipment isn't ready is after the electricity has already gone out.

If severe weather is forecast, charge phones, laptops, portable batteries and rechargeable lights beforehand. Check that any backup power equipment is functioning correctly and that you know how to operate it safely.

It is also worth keeping torches, spare batteries, charging cables and extension leads somewhere easy to find. Searching through cupboards in the dark is an avoidable frustration.

Never Ignore Safety

Backup electricity needs to be treated carefully.

Fuel-powered equipment should never be operated inside a home, garage, basement or other enclosed area because carbon monoxide can accumulate without warning. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding placement, ventilation, connections and operating limits.

Avoid improvised electrical connections as well. If you want backup equipment connected directly to household circuits, have the appropriate setup installed by a qualified professional.

Make Your Backup Power Last Longer

A good outage plan isn't necessarily about having enough electricity to live exactly as you normally would. It's about using the power you have intelligently.

Prioritise refrigeration, communication, lighting and any genuinely essential equipment. Switch off devices when they aren't needed, take advantage of rechargeable alternatives and avoid wasting limited capacity on high-powered appliances that can wait.

With some basic preparation, a blackout becomes much easier to handle. Instead of deciding what to do after the lights go out, you'll already know what needs power, what can stay switched off and how to keep the essentials running until normal service returns.