Power outage preparedness: build the plan before the lights go out
A resilient household does not need to predict why the grid fails. It needs a plan for the things electricity normally makes invisible: light, communication, refrigeration, temperature control and charging.
Plan the essentials.
Power what matters.
Verify before buying.
1. Map what depends on electricity
Walk through an ordinary day and list the devices and services you would miss first. Prioritize safety-critical and communication needs before convenience loads. If anyone relies on powered medical equipment, use guidance from their clinician and equipment provider for an individualized backup plan.
2. Prepare light and communication
Keep flashlights or battery-powered lanterns accessible, maintain charged phones and backup charging, and consider a battery or hand-crank radio. Ready.gov and CDC preparedness material emphasizes battery-powered lighting and alternative charging rather than relying on candles.
3. Decide how much backup power you actually need
Start with essential loads and expected outage duration. A phone and light need far less energy than refrigeration or whole-home loads. Compare batteries and generators by what you need to run—not by the biggest headline capacity.
4. Protect food and water
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during an outage. CDC says an unopened refrigerator keeps food safe for up to about four hours; a full freezer about 48 hours and a half-full freezer about 24 hours. Follow local water advisories after disruptions.
5. Treat combustion as a safety issue
CDC says portable generators should be used outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never run a generator, grill or other fuel-burning device inside a home, basement or garage.
Primary safety sources
Where our safety guidance comes from
Safety-sensitive claims on Outage Ready are grounded in public-health and emergency-preparedness guidance. Always follow current instructions from local authorities during an active emergency.