Charging Your Phone During a Power Cut: Power Banks, Cars and More

Your phone is your torch, radio, map and lifeline. Keeping it charged in a power cut matters.

Charging options

Option	Notes
Power bank	the most convenient; charge it in advance
Car charger	a car's socket can charge a phone; run the engine only outdoors
Laptop	a charged laptop can charge a phone through USB, but drains its own battery
Solar charger	works in daylight; slow, but independent of the grid
Neighbour or workplace	an unaffected building may offer a socket

Power banks: choosing and using

• Capacity is measured in mAh. A typical phone battery is a few thousand mAh, so a 10,000 mAh power bank can often give one to two full charges, less some loss.
• Keep it charged. A power bank slowly loses charge over time, so top it up every few months.
• Carry the right cable for your phone.
• Buy from a reputable brand, since poor-quality batteries can be unsafe.

Car charging safety

• Never run a car engine in a garage or an enclosed space. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which is deadly.
• Park outdoors with good ventilation.
• Avoid draining the car battery. Charging for a long time with the engine off can leave it flat.

Making the battery last

1. Lower screen brightness.
2. Close unused apps.
3. Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location if not needed.
4. Switch on battery saver.
5. Use text rather than calls, which use less power.
6. Keep the phone at a moderate temperature, since cold drains batteries quickly.
7. Use a separate torch for long tasks.

What to keep charged

Charge these before a forecast storm:

• Phone
• Power banks
• Rechargeable torches and lanterns
• Radios

Safe habits

• Don't charge phones on beds or sofas.
• Don't use damaged cables or chargers.
• Keep devices dry.
• Stop using a battery that swells, smells or gets very hot.

Torch in short bursts

Use the phone torch only when you need it, and switch it off again straight away. A one-tap torch app makes that easy.