Power Outage Readiness Checklist

Power outages usually hit with no warning—storms, grid failures, equipment faults, heat waves, you name it. This checklist covers everything you need to stay safe, fed, lit, and informed when the lights go out.

For deeper emergency planning, review Power Outage Prep Basics.

1. Backup Lighting

• [ ] Flashlights for each person
• [ ] Battery-powered lanterns
• [ ] Headlamps for hands-free tasks
• [ ] Extra batteries (AA, AAA, D)
• [ ] Glow sticks for safe kids’ lighting

2. Food and Water

• [ ] Three-day supply of non-perishables
• [ ] Manual can opener
• [ ] Bottled water or filled containers
• [ ] Cooler with ice packs for short outages
• [ ] Shelf-stable baby formula if needed

3. Communication and Information

• [ ] Battery-powered or crank radio
• [ ] Fully charged power banks
• [ ] USB car charger
• [ ] Printed emergency contacts list
• [ ] Know where your local cooling or warming shelters are

4. Backup Power Options

• [ ] Small portable power station for phones, lights, and small devices
• [ ] Generator (if used, never run it indoors or in a garage)
• [ ] Fuel stored safely outside living spaces
• [ ] Surge protectors on key electronics

5. Heating and Cooling Safety

• [ ] Blankets and warm layers for winter outages
• [ ] Battery-powered fans or cooling towels for summer outages
• [ ] Keep fridge and freezer closed to preserve cold
• [ ] Avoid candles unless absolutely necessary

6. Home Safety Checks

• [ ] Test smoke alarms before storm season
• [ ] Test CO alarms regularly
• [ ] Unplug sensitive electronics before power returns
• [ ] Check basement or low areas for flooding during storms

7. Special Needs

• [ ] Backup batteries for medical devices
• [ ] Evacuation or shelter plan for mobility limitations
• [ ] Extra pet food and water bowls

8. After Power Returns

• [ ] Turn appliances back on slowly
• [ ] Check fridge and freezer temperatures
• [ ] Reset clocks, alarms, and security devices
• [ ] Refill or recharge used supplies

Outages don’t have to be chaos. A few basics in place ahead of time make even long blackouts manageable.