Power Outage Survival
Stay safe and comfortable through outages from a few hours to several days.
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Stock Now (Before)
- Flashlights and headlamps for every household member, plus spare batteries
- Battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio
- Power banks — at least one per household member, charged monthly
- Battery-powered or USB fans for hot weather
- Battery-powered CO and smoke detectors (or backup batteries)
- Cash in small bills — registers and ATMs don't work
- 3+ days of food that needs no cooking or refrigeration
- Manual can opener; check that it works
- Water — 1 gal/person/day for at least 3 days
- Freeze water bottles to fill freezer empty space — keeps food cold longer
When Power Goes Out
- Note the time and check if neighbors lost power too
- Report the outage to your utility (call or app) — they don't always know
- Unplug sensitive electronics (TV, computer, microwave) — surge when power returns
- Leave one lamp on so you'll know when power restores
- Keep fridge and freezer doors closed — fridge holds 4 hours, full freezer 48 hours
- Use flashlights, not candles — fire risk is real
Generator Safety
- NEVER run a generator inside, in a garage, or near windows/vents
- Place generator outside, at least 20 ft from the house
- Plug appliances directly into the generator with heavy-duty cords
- NEVER backfeed power into a wall outlet — kills line workers, illegal
- Keep CO detectors with battery backup running
- Store fuel in approved containers, away from living spaces
Extended Outage (24+ hr)
- Move perishable food to coolers with ice — 40°F is the threshold
- Throw out perishable food held above 40°F for more than 2 hours
- In hot weather: identify a cooling center (library, mall, friend with power)
- In cold weather: confine to one room, layer up, hang blankets over windows
- Check on elderly neighbors and anyone with medical equipment
- If reliant on medical devices: contact utility now to register; have backup plan
When Power Returns
- Wait a few minutes, then plug devices back in one at a time
- Reset clocks, GFCI outlets, alarm systems, internet router (unplug 30 sec, replug)
- Check fridge and freezer temps before trusting food
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