Home Power Outage Basics

Light first

Use headlamps and flashlights rather than candles, which are a fire risk. A headlamp like the Black Diamond Spot 400 keeps both hands free. Keep spare batteries in the same drawer.

Stay informed

A battery or hand-crank weather radio like the Midland ER310 keeps you getting alerts when phones and internet fail. Keep a power bank charged too.

Food safety

Keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as you can. When in doubt about whether food is still safe after a long outage, throw it out. Check official food-safety guidance for specific times and temperatures.

Generators & heat: safety

Never run a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide kills. Run generators outdoors, well away from windows and doors, and have battery-powered CO alarms.

Warmth

Gather everyone into one room, layer up, and use mylar blankets as an extra layer. Dry socks and a beanie make a big difference.

Power outage checklist →