Here are some handy tips to keep you safe during a power outage:
- Report the outage online or check your address for existing outages and register to receive updates.
- Use a torch instead of candles (a torch is safer).
- Switch off sensitive electrical equipment, such as your TV, computer and stereo as they can be affected by a power surge when power is restored.
- Keep the fridge closed so food will last longer while the power is off. A freezer will usually keep food frozen for up to 24 hours without power.
- Turn appliances off. Make sure elements on your stove, the kettle, and all heaters are turned off. This ensures they don't come back on without you noticing when the power supply is restored.
- Never use a patio heater, gas heater or bbq indoors during a power outage.
- Don't touch or use any electrical appliances while barefoot in damp or wet conditions.
- If you go out, be aware that streetlights and traffic lights may not be working.
- Don't go near any damaged power lines and electrical equipment - stay at least ten metres away.
- If you are concerned regarding health and safety, please either contact the health professional responsible for your care immediately, or go to the local hospital, or if it is an emergency, call 111.
- Evacuate the area you can smell gas by at least 20m
- Call the fire service on 111 and then Vector on 0800 764 764
- Switch off any machinery and remove any ignition sources
- Evacuate the area and move at least 20m away or until you can no longer smell gas
- Call the fire service on 111 and then Vector on 0800 764 764
- Leave any damaged pipes venting to atmosphere and do not re-enter the area for any reason
- In the unlikely situation a fire has ignited, leave it to burn and do not attempt to extinguish the fire. Emergency services are on their way
Firstly, you need to register directly with your retailer — for example, Contact, Mercury, Genesis, etc. They hold your account information and pass that to us as the lines company.
We strongly encourage all medically dependent customers to have a backup plan in place and ensure your support network — such as family, neighbours, or carers — are aware of what to do in an outage.
If you don’t have a plan, we recommend speaking to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
More information about what to do if you, or someone you know, relies on electricity as a medically dependent customer is available online at www.eranz.org.nz.
Please visit orders.vector.co.nz to request the electricity connection and call 0800 22 22 60 to request the gas connection. As these are different connections with different processes, you will need to request these separately.
You will need to arrange for a registered electrician to specify the type of connection required for your site. Refer to “What information do I need to supply?" above for a breakdown of the information we need from you and your electrician.
If you hit a fibre cable, please call us immediately on 0800 826 436 (select option 1, then select option 2 for Vector Fibre).
Some appliances need to be manually turned back on which you can now do. If this does not resolve the issue, please contact your gasfitter to assess the affected appliance. Our technicians are not gasfitters, so they are unable to fix any faults with your appliances or pipework.
