If the power goes off or the apartment turns cold in a Rovaniemi winter, stay calm, keep everyone warm in one room, and message your host straight away. Real emergencies go to 112; everything else is a practical problem with a short checklist. This guide is the one we would give any guest, written so that you can follow it at 03:00 with cold fingers and a phone at 20 %.

We have hosted in northern Finland long enough to know that these events are rare, but also that how you respond in the first fifteen minutes matters more than anything else. Nothing here replaces the instructions in your own booking, so read those too, and see our guest guide for house information.

First: is it an emergency?

If anyone is in danger, there is a fire, smoke, a gas smell, or someone is unwell, call 112 first. It is free and the operators speak English. After that, contact your host. Our post on being ill on holiday has more on this side of things.

If the power goes off

1. Check whether it is just you

Look outside. If street lights and neighbouring windows are dark, the outage is wider. If only your flat is dark, a trip switch may have tripped, often from running too many heating or cooking appliances at once. If you are comfortable doing so, look at the fuse box, but do not force anything or open panels you do not understand. Message the host and describe what you see.

2. Use light safely

Phone torches are fine for a short time but drain the battery, which you will want for contact. If you brought a head torch for walking around the neighbourhood, use it. Be careful with candles; our guide on candles and fire safety in a rental sets out the rules. LED candles are a better choice with children.

3. Protect your food

Keep the fridge and freezer doors shut. A full fridge stays cool for several hours if it is not opened. Cold weather helps: the balcony can act as a cool store for a short time if a long outage is expected, but do not leave food outside overnight in a way that could attract animals.

4. Keep warm in one room

The living room with the sofa bed and armchair bed makes a good camp for a family. Put on layers, bring blankets and duvets from the bedrooms, and shut doors to hold heat. Your outdoor clothing is also indoor clothing now; hats and thick socks help.

If the heating is not working

Check whether the radiators are warm along their length, or only at the top. Do not adjust anything in the building’s shared systems. If the problem is only in your flat, the host can usually tell you whether a thermostat setting is the cause. If it is the building, the property maintenance company has to attend, and this is something your host arranges.

In the meantime, close curtains at night, keep external doors closed, and avoid airing the flat. Our post on fresh air, windows and condensation explains why opening windows for long in winter is a poor idea. Read also about the cold-snap days in the apartment.

If the water is off or the hot water is lukewarm

Finnish tap water is normally safe to drink (see our tap water note). The kettle and the cooker need electricity, so during a power cut you cannot boil water; fill a few bottles in the evening when bad weather is forecast, and keep them in the kitchen.

Charging, signals and communication

• Charge phones and a power bank in the evening when bad weather is forecast.
• Save the host’s WhatsApp number and the emergency number 112 in your phone.
• Switch phones to low-power mode and reduce screen brightness.
• Keep the Wi-Fi router in mind: it will be off during a power cut, so use mobile data for messages.

What we do when a guest tells us

We live a few minutes away and usually answer within the hour. We will first ask what you can see, then whether anyone is at risk, and then check with the building’s maintenance and the local energy company. If we can reach you, we will come by. Please use WhatsApp at wa.me/358503317619 for urgent messages. For general guidance on when something goes wrong, see our post on what to do when something goes wrong.

How to prepare before you travel

1. Pack a head torch and a small power bank.
2. Fill the kettle and drinking bottles before bed in stormy weather.
3. Keep outdoor clothing within reach, not buried in suitcases.
4. Note the check-in guide and emergency numbers where everyone can find them.

For general winter preparation, see what to pack for a winter stay.

Why this is less scary in a flat than in a remote cabin

A power cut in a building in a residential area is easier to deal with than one in an isolated cabin. You are close to neighbours, to a bus stop 150 m away and to the city centre, which is 8 minutes by car. The apartment is on one floor, so everyone is within earshot of each other, and the living room works as a single warm space. If you are worried, you can leave for the night: a hotel or friends in town can be an option. We would rather you tell us early than sit in the cold.

Never bring a barbecue, camping stove or generator indoors. Candles need constant supervision. Think of the apartment as a snug base, not a survival exercise, and stay calm.

FAQ: power cuts and heating problems in Rovaniemi

How common are power cuts in Rovaniemi?

Finland’s grid is generally reliable, and we cannot give a statistic, but heavy snow and wind can occasionally cause local outages. It is sensible to be prepared rather than worried.

Who do I call first?

112 for emergencies; otherwise message your host.

Is it safe to use the oven to heat the apartment?

No. Do not use a cooker or oven as a heater. Use extra layers and blankets.

Will the lockbox still work in a power cut?

If you have any trouble getting in or out, read what to do if the code does not work.