Power Outage Preparedness: Keep Your Family Safe and Comfortable

The Most Common Emergency You Will Face

Power outages are the single most frequent emergency event in the United States. According to the Department of Energy, the average American experiences approximately 1.3 power outages per year, and some regions experience significantly more.

Most outages last a few hours. But extended outages -- from severe storms, ice events, heat waves overloading the grid, or infrastructure failures -- can stretch to days or even weeks. The difference between an outage being a minor inconvenience and a serious disruption comes down to preparation.

Lighting: See What You Are Doing

When the power goes out, especially at night, lighting is your first priority.

Essential Lighting Supplies

• LED flashlights (one per family member) -- LED models last 10-50 times longer than incandescent
• Headlamp (at least one) -- keeps your hands free for tasks
• LED lantern (battery or rechargeable) -- provides area lighting for a room
• Extra batteries -- stock the sizes your devices use (typically AA and AAA)
• Solar-powered or hand-crank lantern -- never runs out of batteries

Lighting Tips

• Place flashlights in consistent locations so you can find them in the dark (bedside table, kitchen drawer, near the front door)
• Point a flashlight upward into a water jug or gallon container -- the water diffuses the light and creates an effective room lamp
• Avoid candles if possible -- they are a fire hazard, especially during emergencies when fire department response may be delayed. If you must use candles, never leave them unattended and keep them away from flammable materials.

Food Safety During Power Outages

Refrigerated and frozen food is at risk the moment the power goes out. Here are the rules:

The Temperature Timeline

• Refrigerator: Stays cold enough for about 4 hours with the door closed
• Full freezer: Maintains safe temperature for approximately 48 hours
• Half-full freezer: Safe for approximately 24 hours

Critical Actions

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Every opening accelerates warming.
• Group frozen items together -- they keep each other cold longer
• Move perishable items to a cooler with ice if you expect a prolonged outage
• Use a food thermometer to check: discard any perishable food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours

What to Eat First

Consume food in this order to minimize waste:

1. Refrigerated leftovers and perishables (eat within the first 4 hours)
2. Fresh fruits and vegetables (do not need refrigeration)
3. Bread, peanut butter, and other shelf-stable items
4. Canned and dry goods (your long-term supply)

Having a [14-day food supply](/blog/emergency-food-supply-list-for-family) of shelf-stable items means a power outage has minimal impact on your ability to feed your family.

Communication: Stay Informed and Connected

During a power outage, your usual information sources (TV, internet, smart speakers) may be unavailable. Planning your communication strategy in advance makes a significant difference.

Keeping Your Phone Alive

Your smartphone is your most important communication device. Protect its battery:

• Switch to Low Power Mode immediately when the outage begins
• Reduce screen brightness to 25% or lower
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if your router is down anyway
• Limit non-essential use -- save battery for calls, texts, and emergency alerts
• Use a portable charger -- a 20,000 mAh power bank provides 4-5 full charges for most phones

See our [smartphone preparedness guide](/blog/smartphone-best-survival-tool) for detailed phone optimization tips.

Staying Informed

• NOAA Weather Radio (battery-powered or hand-crank) provides continuous weather and emergency updates even when cell towers are down
• AM/FM radio can provide local news and utility restoration updates
• Text messages use less bandwidth than phone calls and are more likely to go through on congested networks
• Social media can provide real-time updates from your utility company -- follow them now, before you need to

Temperature Control: Staying Warm or Cool

Power outages during extreme temperatures are the most dangerous scenario. Your body can handle a lot, but prolonged heat or cold exposure requires attention.

During Cold Weather

• Close off unused rooms and gather the family in the warmest room (ideally one with southern exposure for daytime sun)
• Layer clothing -- multiple thin layers insulate better than one thick layer
• Use sleeping bags or heavy blankets -- they retain body heat effectively
• Seal drafts around windows and doors with towels or blankets
• Never use a gas stove, charcoal grill, or generator indoors for heat -- carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of death during winter power outages
• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, use it (with the flue open)

During Hot Weather

• Stay on the lowest floor of your home (heat rises)
• Stay hydrated -- drink water before you feel thirsty
• Use battery-powered fans or hand fans
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
• Apply cool, wet cloths to your neck, wrists, and forehead
• Go to a public cooling center if your home becomes dangerously hot -- check with your local emergency management for locations
• Watch for signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness. If symptoms appear, move to the coolest available location and hydrate

Water Considerations

Many people do not realize that power outages can affect their water supply:

• Well water systems rely on electric pumps -- no power means no water
• Municipal water systems may lose pressure during extended outages as pumping stations are affected
• Water heaters hold 40-80 gallons of drinkable water even when power is out

If your home relies on a well or if a boil-water advisory is issued, your stored water supply becomes critical. See our [water storage guide](/blog/water-storage-guide-how-much-water-per-person) for storage recommendations.

Generators: If You Choose to Use One

Portable generators can power essential appliances during an outage. If you have one or are considering one:

Safety Rules (Non-Negotiable)

• Never operate a generator indoors, in a garage, or near open windows -- generators produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and lethal
• Place the generator at least 20 feet from your home with the exhaust pointing away from windows and doors
• Use heavy-duty outdoor extension cords rated for the wattage you need
• Never plug a generator directly into your home's electrical panel without a transfer switch installed by an electrician
• Keep fuel stored safely in approved containers, away from the generator and your home

What to Power

Prioritize essential loads:

• Refrigerator/freezer (to save food)
• Medical equipment (CPAP, oxygen concentrator, etc.)
• Phone and device charging
• One light source

A typical portable generator (3,000-5,000 watts) can handle all of these simultaneously.

The Power Outage Preparedness Checklist

• [ ] LED flashlights (one per person) with extra batteries
• [ ] At least one battery-powered or hand-crank lantern
• [ ] NOAA weather radio with batteries
• [ ] Portable phone charger (10,000+ mAh)
• [ ] Cooler and freezer packs for food preservation
• [ ] Food thermometer
• [ ] 3-day minimum shelf-stable food supply
• [ ] 3-day water supply (especially if on well water)
• [ ] Cash in small bills (ATMs and card readers will not work)
• [ ] Carbon monoxide detector with battery backup
• [ ] Warm layers or cooling supplies (season-appropriate)

Your Power Outage Readiness

Power outages may be the most common emergency, but they are also one of the easiest to prepare for. The supplies are inexpensive, the skills are simple, and the preparation fits into a single afternoon.

Prevna tracks your power outage preparedness as part of your Scenario Score and adjusts recommendations based on your climate, home type, and medical needs. A fully prepared household typically completes this checklist in under $50 and an hour of time.

[Create your personalized plan](/wizard) to see exactly what your household needs for power outage readiness, customized to your location and family.