Power outage essentials quick picks
Solar generator: EcoFlow Delta Pro Solar Generator
Flashlight: ThruNite Archer 2A V3 Flashlight
Extra batteries: Duracell Coppertop AA + AAA Batteries
Power bank for phones: Anker 521 Portable Charger
Knowing how to be ready for a power outage is one of the most important parts of emergency preparedness. “Preparation is the only thing that will help make life during power outage emergencies more bearable,” says Dan Mock, the vice president of operations at Mister Sparky, an electrical service and repair business. “We must be sure to stock up on supplies and prepare ourselves and [our] homes for an emergency situation. While power outage emergencies are undoubtedly inconvenient, they aren’t bad when you are well equipped with the appropriate resources.”
But what, exactly, are the right supplies to stock in the event of a loss of electricity? And what other safety measures should be taken ahead of a power outage? Read on to find out what experts say you need in order to prepare for this type of emergency.
What items should you stock up on to prepare for a power outage?
“Every home should have an emergency supply kit located in an accessible storage area in case of a power outage,” says Jennifer Schallmoser, the public relations manager at the National Safety Council. “It’s best if you store the items in plastic containers that are easy to grab and carry. Kits should be checked every six months, and expired items should be replaced.”
Power outage preparedness is particularly important for people who depend on electricity to power medical devices or to refrigerate essential medications. “It’s important to have batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, including a portable charger or power bank,” says Jaclyn Rothenberg, the director of public affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “If you take medicine that needs to be refrigerated or use a medical device that requires power, talk to your doctor to make a plan for how you will stay safe and healthy during a power outage.”
Mock, Rothenberg and Schallmoser recommend stocking the following items to prepare for a power outage.
Batteries and chargers
Keeping a working supply of batteries in the home is essential before a power outage, and that includes checking that batteries in devices are working. “Make sure flashlights and radio batteries are fresh,” Mock says.
In addition to stocking up on batteries, Mock and Schallmoser recommend charging all electronics and mobile devices. “Fully charge your cell phones when bad weather is in the forecast,” Schallmoser says, “and make sure you have alternative charging methods for your phone or any device that requires power.”
Check your flashlights and other battery-operated emergency supplies to be sure you have the right batteries to power them. A variety pack, like this one with AA and AAA batteries, can be a smart investment for emergency preparedness.
A battery case allows you to quickly and easily check that you have all the batteries you need in stock. Choose one with a built-in tester to avoid getting stuck with a bunch of dead batteries in an emergency.
In our testing of rechargeable batteries, the Panasonic Eneloop Pro provided the best combination of high capacity and long run time.
The Anker 633 Magnetic Battery Pack is one of the fastest charging and recharging models we tested, making it our pick for the most versatile MagSafe-compatible battery pack.
A compact portable charger with fold-out prongs, the Anker 521 doubles as a USB-C wall adapter. It’s highly efficient and totally convenient, making it our choice for the best portable charger for phones.
Flashlights and other light sources
“Make sure flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and other sources of light are readily available,” Mock says. Headlamps, which leave your hands free, can also be helpful for navigating in the dark.
“Don’t use candles, which can cause a fire,” Schallmoser says. Instead, use a flashlight, and make sure you have one “for every person in your home,” Rothenberg adds.
The ThruNite flashlight features plenty of power, straightforward controls, durable construction and a compact design that’s convenient to carry, making it our top pick.
Our favorite rechargeable flashlight, the Fenix PD36R boasts a long battery life, dual-button controls and a bright, powerful beam. It packs a ton of functionality into a small package.
LED lanterns work well during a power outage too. Experts say to use battery-operated light sources rather than candles, which are a fire risk.
A headlamp is a convenient way to light your path during a power outage while leaving your hands free to carry supplies.
Experts suggest putting a strip of reflective tape on flashlights and other small emergency supplies to make it easier to find them in the dark.
Generators and carbon monoxide detectors
“Never use generators or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage or camper,” Mock says, “or even outside near an open window, door or vent. Without proper ventilation, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can occur.”
For this reason, all homes should have a CO detector with a fully charged backup battery in the event of a power outage. “Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home,” Rothenberg says. “Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, your family and pets.” You should also familiarize yourself with the signs of CO poisoning.
Schallmoser stresses the importance of safety when operating a generator. “Keep operating generators at least 15 feet from your home or your neighbor’s home,” she says.
It’s also important to read all user instructions and guidelines to ensure you’re properly using a generator. For example, many generators are not intended to power air conditioners. Instead, find other ways to beat the heat. “If the temperature is high,” Schallmoser says, “do your best to remain cool. Go to a shopping mall or, if your area has one, a cooling center. Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty.”
Make sure to stay safe and warm in cold weather too. “If it’s cold, layer on clothes to stay warm,” Schallmoser says. “Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power is expected to be out for a long period of time, leave the home and go somewhere that has working heat.”
In our testing of solar generators, EcoFlow's small-, medium- and large-capacity generators were the top picks. If your home doesn’t need a large generator, consider the small EcoFlow River 2 Pro Solar Generator or the medium EcoFlow Delta 2 Solar Generator.
All homes should be outfitted with a carbon monoxide detector that has a backup battery, ensuring it will operate even in the event of a power outage.
Gas
“Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps,” Schallmoser says, so she recommends “keeping your car’s gas tank full” in case you lose power. She also points out that a power outage will knock out electric door openers. “Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is and how to use it.”
In addition to filling the car’s tank, you may want to keep extra gas in a gas can for use during a power outage.
First aid supplies
Ensure you have an adequate supply of medicine, first aid supplies and baby items at home. “If prescriptions are essential,” Mock says, “get them refilled in case of an extended power outage or extensive damage to the area.” Additionally, if any of your medications require refrigeration, keep ice packs and coolers on hand to ensure that you can refrigerate those medications as necessary.
It’s also important to make plans for power-dependent medical devices you or someone in your household may use. “Additionally, if you rely on a medical device that is battery-operated or power dependent, have a backup plan,” Schallmoser says.
Schallmoser adds that a first aid kit should include gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, a blanket, non-latex gloves, scissors, hydrocortisone, a thermometer, tweezers and an instant cold compress.
The Red Cross Deluxe Family First Aid Kit features a heavy-duty case and a variety of high-quality items inside, making it our top pick for the best first aid kit.
Nonperishable food, water and water filters
“Reserve at least a two-week supply of bottled water and nonperishable food items for use in the event of a power outage,” Mock says. If that sounds like too much, Schallmoser says you can get away with less. “Three days’ worth of nonperishable protein-packed foods you can cook without electricity, such as tuna, peanut butter and granola bars, and don’t forget about food for your pets,” she says.
In addition to traditional canned and jarred goods, look for shelf-stable packets of things like tuna and peanut butter that don’t require a can opener. They’re also lighter and more compact, making them easier to store and/or transport, should you need to leave home.
In our roundup of healthy snack ideas, experts recommended Kind bars as a nutritious choice that still feels like an indulgent treat.
A manual can opener is essential for use with many types of nonperishable foods in a power outage.
Fill a portable jug or two with filtered water so that you have at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days.
If access to clean water may be a concern during an emergency, the LifeStraw is a simple, safe tool to ensure you have clean drinking water wherever you are.
Emergency radios
Schallmoser recommends stocking a hand-crank or battery-powered radio with extra batteries. Emergency radios are designed with storms and power outages in mind, allowing users access to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather frequencies that provide critical information on upcoming or current situations like flash floods, hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes and more.
Look for emergency radios that feature hand cranks, solar panels and/or battery-charging capabilities that extend the run time even without access to power.
The Midland ER310 outperformed all the other emergency radios we tested. It has easy-to-use alerts, four charging options, a bright LCD screen, a powerful flashlight and straightforward controls.
Tools and household supplies
In addition to first aid supplies, Schallmoser recommends checking that you have some basic tools and household supplies in case any repairs are needed. “A tool kit with basic tools, in case you need to shut off utilities; plastic sheeting and duct tape in case of broken windows or a leaky roof; hand sanitizer and garbage bags for sanitation.”
We like this fully loaded general household tool kit, which comes with standard utility tools and a handy case so everything stays together, all at an affordable price.
Plastic sheeting and duct tape can be used for temporary repairs in the event of broken windows or leaking roofs.
Stock up on hand sanitizer to keep hands clean when running water isn’t available during longer power outages.
Heavy-duty trash bags are essential for post-power outage cleanup — especially to dispose of food that has gone bad — and can be used in place of plastic sheeting to cover broken windows or damaged roofs.
Whistle
If the power outage creates an emergency that requires first responders to search for you, a safety whistle is an essential item to stock in your kit. “Use a whistle to signal for help so rescuers can locate you,” Schallmoser says.
Safety whistles are inexpensive, but they’re smart to stock in your emergency preparedness kit so that first responders can locate you.
Personal documents, insurance papers and cash
“Make sure to have identification and documentation on hand, such as your social security card, driver’s license, birth certificate and insurance information,” Mock says.
“In addition to the items in your emergency kit,” Rothenberg says, “having cash on hand is important because in some cases ATMs won’t work and stores won’t be able to process credit or debit cards.” She also recommends including “a list of medications you take and other medical information, deed/lease to home, rental contracts, birth certificates and insurance policies” in your cache of important documents.
Place all important personal documents in a waterproof and fireproof organizer to protect them from damage in case of emergency.
What should you unplug before or during a power outage?
“Power outage emergencies should be reported to the utility company so they are made aware of it,” Mock says. “Once that is done, it is critical to turn off and unplug electrical appliances to prevent power surges from damaging them. Do leave one or two lights on, so it is apparent when the power returns.”
According to Mock, the following items should be unplugged and/or turned off before a power outage.
- Unplug electronics and move them to higher ground.
- Turn off breakers to avoid power surges.
- Turn off heating and air-conditioning systems.
- Turn off and unplug electric and gas ranges (gas ranges use electricity to power pilots, lights, clocks and timers).
- Unplug sensitive electronic appliances such as TVs, microwave ovens and computers to protect against power fluctuations that can occur when power is restored.
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI or GFI) is also good to have. It’s an electrical device — installed directly in an electrical system or built into a power cord — that protects against electrical shocks. “Always use GFCIs in areas where water and electricity may come into contact,” Mock says.
How to preserve your food during a power outage
“Don’t open your freezer or refrigerator,” Schallmoser says. “An unopened refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours, while an unopened freezer can keep food frozen for up to two days.”
Food safety experts say to avoid tasting food after a power outage to determine if it is still safe to eat. Instead, consult this chart that details which foods can remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours and which foods should be discarded after a lengthy power outage.
To extend your refrigerator’s cooling power, Schallmoser says to “have frozen, water-filled containers ready to help keep food cold in the event of a power outage.”
Our pick for the best overall cooler, the Yeti Tundra 45 is a solid, all-purpose cooler that’s easy to use, keeps your food cold for a long time and is built with long-term durability in mind.
Ice blocks and packs are essential for use in coolers and refrigerators during a power outage to maintain safe food temperatures and ensure food safety.
Slim ice packs can help maximize space in a cooler while still keeping perishable food safe to eat. Ice packs can also be used in a refrigerator to keep it cooler for longer during a power outage.
What should you do when your power comes back on?
When the power is restored, wait a few minutes before plugging things in to avoid a power surge. Turn on the most essential items first, like medical devices and the refrigerator.
However, take extra precautions if there has been flooding or any other water exposure. “Never use electrical equipment that’s been exposed to water,” Mock says. “Contact a professional electrician to assist you with getting your power up and running safely and securely.”