--- title: "Power Outage Checklist and Survival Kit | BePrepared" url: "https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/power-outage-checklist" description: "A power outage checklist made to fit your home: the core supplies, add-ons for your heat, water, medicines and pets, and a printable list to keep." source: "BePrepared Solutions" --- # Power Outage Checklist and Survival Kit for Your Home A power outage checklist starts with what every home needs: battery lights, phone power, 3 days of food and water, first aid and a radio. Then add what your heat, your water, your medicines and your people call for. This one begins with four questions, then gives you the core list and the add-ons to choose from, ready to print. BeAware, our paid monitoring service, shows outages near your address, and this guide covers what to do hour by hour. [Jump to the checklist](#survival-pack) Updated November 10, 2026 Share[](mailto:?subject=Power%20Outage%20Checklist%20and%20Survival%20Kit%20for%20Your%20Home&body=Power%20Outage%20Checklist%20and%20Survival%20Kit%20for%20Your%20Home%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fbepreparedsolutions.co%2Fguides%2Fpower-outage-checklist%3Futm_source%3Dshare%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Demail) ![Power outage preparedness kit at dusk: glowing battery lanterns, hand-crank weather radio, phone battery pack, canned food, and first-aid kit](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/_next/image?url=%2Fog%2Fpower-outage-preparedness.png&w=3840&q=75) Check power outages at your address. Many utilities publish a real-time outage map, but your electric, gas, and water service may come from different utilities, and each posts its own map on its own website. On the day you actually need this information, that is several tabs and logins. BeAware brings nearby utility outages into one dashboard view, alongside official warnings for your county and state and FEMA risk data for your address. You see what is out, how long it has been out, and whether a restoration estimate has been issued, all without leaving one page. BeAware is a paid subscription. If you need an answer right now, search for "\[your utility name\] outage map". [See how BeAware tracks outages at your address](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beaware) ## Your power outage checklist, made to fit your home Answer the four questions below, gather the core list, then add the sections that apply to you. Items marked "All homes" apply to everyone. Gathered together, this is your power outage survival kit. Tap each item as you gather it, or print the list; this device keeps track of what you have. ### Four questions before the list 1. How is your home heated? Go to the [heating add-ons](#addon-heat). 2. Where does your water come from? Go to the [water add-ons](#addon-water). If you are on a well, see [when a generator is worth it](#generator). 3. Does anyone take prescription medicine or rely on a powered medical device? Go to the [medicine and device add-ons](#addon-medical). If anyone relies on a powered device, see [when a generator is worth it](#generator). 4. Who else are you planning for? Go to the add-ons for [babies](#addon-babies) and [pets](#addon-pets). ### What the first 4 hours and the first 3 days ask of you BePrepared read the utility outage maps we collect for about six days, ending November 7, 2026. Of the 11,058 outages that had ended, 85.7% were over within 4 hours and 161 lasted 12 hours or more. That is not a national sample or a storm season, and outages still running at the end are not counted. Short outages are common in those figures, but long ones happen, so the list covers both. For the first 4 hours, keep lights and phone power within reach and the fridge and freezer closed. With the doors shut, the CDC says food stays safe for up to 4 hours in a refrigerator and 48 hours in a full freezer. For the first 3 days, plan as if the power stays off. The CDC’s minimum for stored water is 3 days, and this guide uses 72 hours as its planning window. See [what each outage length means](#duration) for how your response changes as the hours pass. ## Power Outage Checklist for Your Home BePrepared Solutions · bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/power-outage-checklist Check off each item as you go. 0 of 42 checked ### Core list: light (no candles) ### Core list: phone power ### Core list: food and the "keep the fridge closed" rule ### Core list: water ### Core list: first aid ### Core list: radio and contacts ### Add-ons: your heat ### Add-ons: your water ### Add-ons: medicines and medical devices ### Add-ons: babies ### Add-ons: pets ### Print it, post it, check it Print the list and post it where you can find it in the dark, such as inside a kitchen cabinet door. Cross out what does not apply, so the page describes your home. We suggest ten minutes once a month. The agencies do not set a monthly schedule, but FEMA says to check supplies regularly and before predicted extreme weather. Every month: - Charge every battery pack and try every flashlight. - Test carbon monoxide alarms. The NFPA says at least once a month. Less often: - Every six months, replace water you stored yourself, as Ready.gov and the CDC advise. - Every year, rethink the list as your household changes, as Ready.gov advises. Replace expired items as needed. Go deeper on one part of the list: - [Food storage during power outages](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/food-storage-during-power-outages) - [Generator vs. power station for winter outages](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/generator-vs-power-station-which-is-best-for-winter-outages) - [Winter power outage essentials](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/winter-power-outage-survival-essential-items-checklist) - [The complete power outage guide](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/complete-power-outage-survival-guide) ### Prefer to start from a kit? BeEquipped kits are designed and built by Brian, one of our co-founders, and we test the products we recommend in them. A kit cannot know your heat, your water or your medicines, so tick its contents against the list above and add what is missing. The blackout kit is built for 24 hours, and this guide plans for 72. As an Amazon Associate, BePrepared earns from qualifying purchases: if you buy a kit through these links, Amazon pays us a commission of 1 to 6%. Kit items are fulfilled through Amazon and we add no markup. [See the 24-hour blackout kit](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beequipped/kits/24-hour-essentials)[All power grid failure kits](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beequipped/kits/scenario/grid-down-emp-cyber-attack) - [Grid Down Power Outage Kit](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beequipped/kits/grid-down-no-power-no-phones) - [Water Storage and Purification Kit](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beequipped/kits/collect-filter-and-store-water) - [Solar Emergency Power Kit](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beequipped/kits/emergency-power-using-solar-powered-solutions) - [Off-Grid Communications Kit](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beequipped/kits/emergency-alert-and-handheld-radios-for-when-cellular-is-out) ## How BeReady and BeAware fit with this checklist The checklist covers what to have. BeReady covers who does what with it, and BeAware covers what is happening around your address. BeReady: from a list to a plan A checklist tells you what to own. A plan says who does what when the lights go out: who checks on the neighbor with the oxygen concentrator, where the medical-device batteries live, which room the household consolidates into to conserve heat or cooling. Answer a few questions and BeReady gives you a step-by-step household plan, with a printable sheet for every family member. BeReady is a paid subscription. [See how BeReady builds your plan](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beready) BeAware: what is happening at your address Nearby utility outages appear on your BeAware dashboard in real time, so it is the first place to look when the lights go out and you still have a phone charged. BeAware also sends email alerts for river levels, wildfire distance and air quality around your address, and tracks official National Weather Service and FEMA warnings for your county and state. [See what BeAware monitors](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/solutions/beaware) ## What to do in a power outage: hour 1 through restoration The first hour sets up everything after it, and the moment power returns can bring surges that damage appliances left plugged in. The steps in between are straightforward if you know them ahead of time. 1. ### First 5 minutes Verify the outage is not just your home: check a breaker, look at a neighbor’s porch light. Report the outage to your utility by phone, text, or its outage page. Note the time. Enable phone battery saver mode now, not later. 2. ### First hour Turn off major appliances that were running (dishwasher, oven, AC) and unplug electronics so they are not damaged by surges when power returns. Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Check on neighbors who rely on medical equipment or are elderly. 3. ### First 24 hours Use your lights, not candles. Use your phone sparingly, not as a flashlight. Follow the fridge rule: with the doors closed, food stays safe up to 4 hours in the fridge and 48 hours in a full freezer. If the outage looks likely to last past 4 hours, move the most perishable food into a cooler with ice. Start non-electric temperature management for the season (layers in winter, shaded rooms and hydration in summer). 4. ### Day 2 to day 3 The FDA says to discard refrigerated perishables (meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, leftovers) that have been above 40°F for 4 hours or more. If conditions at home become too hot or too cold, the CDC’s advice is to seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter; check with local officials for open warming or cooling centers. Keep monitoring WEA and your utility’s restoration estimate. 5. ### When power returns Plug appliances back in one at a time; Ready.gov notes that power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage. Check every refrigerator and freezer item individually: when in doubt, throw it out. Reset clocks, the WiFi router, and the modem. Document any damage from power surges for insurance. ## Hot weather outage vs cold weather outage Season changes the stakes as much as outage length does. A 24-hour outage in mild weather is an inconvenience. A 24-hour outage in a heat dome or a deep freeze is a medical emergency for vulnerable household members. Our [extreme heat guide](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/extreme-heat-safety) covers cooling a home without power and spotting heat illness. Hot weather outage Move vulnerable household members (infants, elderly, anyone with a chronic heart or lung condition) to the coolest room in the house or to a relative with power. Drink plenty of water. Keep south-facing curtains closed during the day. Take cool showers if water pressure allows. Do not rely solely on fans: the CDC notes that when temperatures are really hot, fans might provide some comfort but will not prevent heat-related illness. Identify your nearest cooling center in advance. Cold weather outage Close off unused rooms and concentrate the household in one space. Layer clothing rather than trying to heat the air. Insulate pipes in unheated areas, open sink cabinets so warmer air reaches the plumbing, and let faucets drip slowly to keep unheated pipes from freezing. Never heat your home with a gas stove, charcoal grill, or camping stove. Know your nearest warming center and the route to it. A fireplace or wood stove is an emergency heat source only when it is properly ventilated. If the cold-weather outage you are planning for comes from a winter storm, preparing for the storm itself - snow and ice loads, safe heating, frozen pipes, the car kit - is its own topic. [See the winter storm emergency kit and checklist](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/emergency-supplies-for-winter-storm) ## Do I need a generator? A well-stocked power outage kit is built to carry a household through 72 hours. A generator becomes worth the cost, complexity, and fuel storage in three specific cases: - Someone in your household depends on medical equipment (CPAP, oxygen concentrator, home dialysis). - You live in an area where multi-day outages are routine (rural, wildfire PSPS zones, extreme-weather corridors). - You rely on an electric well pump for water. Safety rules for any generator: - Never run a generator indoors, in a garage, or within 20 feet of any window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide can cause sudden illness and death. - Store fuel in approved containers outside the home, in a cool, ventilated area, well away from ignition sources. - Plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty outdoor-rated cords, or have an electrician install a transfer switch. Never back-feed through a wall outlet. ## Emergency alerts during a power outage Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) reach your phone during an outage as long as the local cell network is still running, and FEMA says they are not affected by network congestion. The National Weather Service sends its most critical warnings through WEA, including the hurricane, extreme wind, and snow squall warnings that can come before an outage. You do not need to sign up for WEA, but alerts can be switched off in phone settings, so it is worth verifying: - **iPhone:** Settings → Notifications → scroll to Government Alerts and enable every category. - **Android:** Settings → Notifications → Wireless Emergency Alerts and enable every category. WEA warns you about severe weather. Your utility tells you power is out. BeAware puts nearby utility outages, official warnings for your county and state, and FEMA risk data for your address on one dashboard. ## Outage duration and what it means Outage length changes what you need to do. Use this table to calibrate your response as an outage goes on. | Duration | Category | What to expect | | --- | --- | --- | | Under 4 hours | Minor | Keep the fridge and freezer closed; a closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours. Conserve phone battery. | | 4 to 12 hours | Moderate | A closed fridge keeps food safe for up to 4 hours; after that, perishables that have been above 40°F for 4 hours or more should be discarded. Phone battery conservation matters. Begin temperature management in extreme weather. | | 12 to 48 hours | Significant | Freezer contents at risk. Vulnerable members (elderly, infants, medical) may need to relocate in extreme heat or cold. Discard perishables. | | 48 to 72 hours | Severe | Refrigerated perishables past the 4-hour window should already be discarded, and a full freezer reaches its 48-hour limit. Relocate household in extreme weather. Begin extended planning: food resupply, fuel, hotels. | | Over 72 hours | Extended | Serious household disruption. A generator, a hotel, or staying with family becomes the realistic choice for many households. Medical and mobility needs dominate planning. | ## Power outage preparedness FAQ ### What should be on a power outage checklist? Every home needs the same core list: battery lights (no candles), phone power, 3 days of non-perishable food with a manual can opener, 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, a first-aid kit, and a battery or hand-crank weather radio with printed contacts. Every home should also have a carbon monoxide alarm with battery backup. Then add what your home needs: a plan for your type of heat, extra stored water if you are on a private well, at least a week of prescription medicines and a cold plan for refrigerated ones, backup power for medical devices, and supplies for babies and pets. ### What should be in a power outage kit? A power outage kit should cover 72 hours without grid power. Essentials: battery lanterns and headlamps (never candles), portable phone battery packs already charged, a hand-crank or battery NOAA weather radio, 3 days of non-perishable food with a manual can opener, 1 gallon of water per person per day, 7 days of prescription medications, a first-aid kit, a carbon monoxide alarm with battery backup, warm blankets or cooling strategies for the season, and printed emergency contacts with your utility account number. If anyone in the household depends on medical equipment, add a backup battery and ask your utility about its medical program. ### How long does food last in a refrigerator without power? If the doors stay closed, food stays safe for up to 4 hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer, and 24 hours in a half-full freezer. After those windows, perishables including meat, dairy, and leftovers should be discarded. Hard cheeses, butter, and whole fresh produce usually last longer. Any refrigerated perishable that has been above 40°F for 4 hours or more should be discarded, not re-refrigerated. ### How do I keep my home warm during a power outage? Close off unused rooms to concentrate body heat. Layer clothing and wrap in blankets rather than trying to warm the air. Open south-facing curtains during daylight, close them at night. Never use a gas stove or oven as a space heater: carbon monoxide from indoor combustion is colorless and odorless, and it can kill. Never run a generator, charcoal grill, or camping stove indoors for the same reason. A fireplace or wood stove is an emergency heat source only when it is properly ventilated. If it gets too cold at home, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter. ### When should I call the utility vs 911 during a power outage? Call your utility’s outage line first to report the outage and get a restoration estimate; many utilities accept text outage reports too. Call 911 only for a life-safety emergency: a downed power line on a person or vehicle, a fire, or a medical event. Never touch a fallen power line, and assume every wire is live. Keep well away and keep kids and pets clear, and do not drive through standing water if downed lines are in it. If a tree has taken down a line, report to both your utility and 911. ### Can I use a gas stove or oven to heat my home if the power is out? No. Ready.gov and the CDC both say never to heat a home with a gas stove or oven. It raises the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning: CO is odorless and colorless, and the CDC says it kills more than 400 Americans a year in unintentional poisonings not linked to fires. Use only heat sources that vent to the outside, such as a properly vented fireplace or wood stove. A gas furnace needs electricity for its blower and ignition, so plan for yours to stop with the power. If you have no safe heat source and the home is cold enough to be dangerous, relocate to a warming center or a family member’s home. ### How do I check the power outage map for my address? Many utilities publish a real-time outage map on their website; search for "\[your utility name\] outage map". The catch is that your electric, gas, and water service may come from different utilities, and each has its own map. BeAware brings nearby utility outages into one real-time dashboard for your address, alongside official warnings for your county and state and FEMA risk data for your address. ## More preparedness guides [See all preparedness guides](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides) - ### [Emergency Supplies for a Winter Storm](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/emergency-supplies-for-winter-storm) Warmth, water, food and light for when the roads close and the power fails, plus a car kit and safe ways to stay warm. - ### [Extreme Heat Safety Checklist](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/extreme-heat-safety) Stay cool without AC, tell heat exhaustion from heat stroke, and check on the people most at risk when a heat wave sets in. - ### [Go Bag Checklist](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/guides/go-bag-checklist) What to pack for 72 hours away from home: water, food, medicine, documents and tools, in one printable list. ## Sources The safety guidance on this page follows these sources. For food safety and generator use, the CDC and FDA set the rules; if this page and theirs disagree, go by theirs. - [Power Outages](https://www.ready.gov/power-outages) — Ready.gov Supports: the refrigerator and full-freezer timings — Ready.gov states "The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours" — the generator and carbon-monoxide guidance ("Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows"; "Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home"), the power-return step: "Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage.", the alarm guidance ("Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home"), heating and cooling locations ("Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you"), and refrigerated medicine ("If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise"). - [Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency](https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/keep-food-safe-after-emergency.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: the food-safety windows on this page: "If the doors stay closed, food will stay safe up to: 4 hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer, 24 hours in a half-full freezer." - [What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage](https://www.cdc.gov/natural-disasters/response/what-to-do-protect-yourself-during-a-power-outage.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: the no-candles rule ("Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches to minimize the risk of fire"), the too-hot-or-too-cold advice ("If conditions are too hot or too cold, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter"), the fan warning ("While electric fans might provide some comfort, when temperatures are really hot, they won’t prevent heat-related illness"), the power-line rules ("Never touch a fallen power line. Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water"), and the vehicle rule ("Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage"). - [Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics](https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: the gas-stove answer: CO "is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning"; "Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires"; "Never heat your house with a gas oven." - [Wireless Emergency Alerts](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts) — FEMA Supports: the WEA explainer: "WEAs are not affected by network congestion" and "Wireless Emergency Alerts are not subscription based". - [Weather warnings on the go! (Wireless Emergency Alerts)](https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea) — National Weather Service Supports: which NWS warnings go out as WEA: "Warnings for Tsunamis (see Fact Sheet), Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm (only when the damage threat is destructive), Flash Flood (only when the damage threat is considerable or catastrophic), Hurricane, Typhoon, Storm Surge, Extreme Wind, Dust Storm and Snow Squall." - [Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods](https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/food-and-water-safety-during-power-outages-and-floods) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration Supports: the discard rule: "Discard any refrigerated perishable food (such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs, or leftovers) that has been at refrigerator temperatures above 40°F for 4 hours or more." It also supports the thermometer item: "Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer." - [Water](https://www.ready.gov/water) — Ready.gov Supports: who may need more water ("Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water") and replacing stored water ("Water that has not been commercially bottled should be replaced every six months"). - [Build A Kit](https://www.ready.gov/kit) — Ready.gov Supports: keeping a kit current: "Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change" and "Replace expired items as needed." - [How to Create an Emergency Water Supply](https://www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/how-to-create-and-store-an-emergency-water-supply.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: storing at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days, a 2-week supply if possible, more for pregnant women, sick people, pets or hot climates, and replacing self-filled containers every 6 months. - [Be Prepared for a Power Outage](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-08/ready.gov_power-outage_info-sheet.pdf) — FEMA / Ready.gov Supports: checking the kit: "Check your supplies regularly and before predicted extreme weather events." - [Safety Guidelines: During & After a Winter Storm](https://www.cdc.gov/winter-weather/safety/stay-safe-during-after-a-winter-storm-safety.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: closing off rooms, covering windows at night, and using fireplaces and wood stoves only if they are properly vented to the outside. - [What Is A Furnace? How Gas Furnaces Work & Heat Your Home](https://www.carrier.com/us/en/residential/hvac-resources/furnaces/how-does-a-gas-furnace-work/) — Carrier Supports: the gas-furnace item: "a gas furnace needs electricity to power the blower fan, the electronic ignition, and the internal control board." - [Furnace Not Igniting?](https://www.trane.com/residential/en/resources/troubleshooting/gas-furnaces/furnace-not-igniting/) — Trane Supports: the same item: a furnace "still needs electricity to operate the blower fan, blower motor, electronic ignition system, control board, and more." - [Heat pumps work with generators](https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/comfort-solutions-generator-power) — Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US Supports: switching some heat pumps to other power: its systems "can be switched to run on solar, batteries, or generators when your home has a power outage." - [Wood-Burning Installation and Maintenance](https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/wood-burning-installation-and-maintenance) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supports: the yearly inspection: "Fire officials recommend getting your wood-burning appliance, chimney, and vent professionally inspected each year". - [Best Wood-Burning Practices](https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/best-wood-burning-practices) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supports: keeping stove doors closed: "Keep the doors of your wood-burning appliance closed unless loading or stoking the live fire." - [Frequent Questions about Wood-Burning Appliances](https://www.epa.gov/burnwise/frequent-questions-about-wood-burning-appliances) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supports: pellet stoves: "Unlike wood stoves and fireplaces, most pellet stoves need electricity to operate." - [Carbon Monoxide safety](https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/carbon-monoxide) — National Fire Protection Association Supports: testing alarms: "Test alarms at least once a month". - [Incident Action Checklist: Power Outages](https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2019-11/documents/191126-incidentactionchecklist-po-form_508c.pdf) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supports: city water: losing grid power at water utilities "may include pressure losses and boil water advisories". - [Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water](https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/emergency-disinfection-drinking-water) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Supports: boiling: "Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. At altitudes above 5,000 feet (1,000 meters), boil water for three minutes." - [Private Wells after a Wildfire](https://www.cdc.gov/environmental-health-services/php/water/private-wells-after-a-wildfire.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: the well items: the page is written for wildfires, and covers contamination risk from lost power or pressure, considering a generator, and having a licensed well contractor, electrician or power company size it. - [How to Prepare for Planned Water Outages](https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/neighborhood-projects/water-outages/planning-for-outages) — Seattle Public Utilities Supports: flushing: "A toilet will flush when approximately a gallon of water is dumped into the bowl." - [Urban Flooding: Guidance for Homeowners and Renters](https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_urban_flooding_guidance_for_homeowners_and_renters.pdf) — FEMA Supports: sump pumps: "You would need to add battery storage or a generator if you want the sump pump to work during a power outage." - [Building Back Safer and Stronger](https://www.fema.gov/print/txt/node/327952) — FEMA Supports: a sump pump with a battery or water-powered backup system. - [Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration Supports: insulin: products in manufacturer vials or cartridges "may be left unrefrigerated at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work", and "Do not use insulin that has been frozen." - [Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/safe-drug-use-after-natural-disaster) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration Supports: refrigerated medicines: "Have a cooler and ice or frozen gel packs available", check the storage instructions or contact a pharmacist, provider or manufacturer, and life-sustaining medicine "may be used until you can get a new supply." - [Building an Emergency Kit](https://www.cdc.gov/disability-emergency-preparedness/people-with-disabilities/build-a-kit.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: keeping at least a one-week supply of prescription medicines and a cooler for refrigerated ones. - [People with Disabilities](https://www.ready.gov/people-disabilities) — Ready.gov Supports: medical devices: talking to your doctor about keeping electric equipment running, "Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices", "Keep extra batteries charged at all times", a backup oxygen supply, device serial numbers, knowing more than one facility, and asking your power provider "to put you on a list for priority power restoration." - [Medically Essential Service](https://www.fpl.com/support/medically-essential-service.html) — Florida Power & Light Supports: the limit of utility programs: "enrollment in the Medically Essential Service program does not guarantee uninterrupted power or priority restoration after a storm." - [Critical Care Customers](https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/my-account/billing-payment/critical-care-customers) — CenterPoint Energy Supports: the same limit: "Registration provides advance notice of planned outages but does not guarantee priority restoration during unplanned outages or emergencies." - [Prepare and Store Powdered Infant Formula in an Emergency](https://www.cdc.gov/infant-feeding-emergencies-toolkit/php/powdered-infant-formula.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: ready-to-feed formula as the safest option, bottled water for mixing until the tap is declared safe, and fresh formula for every feeding without a working refrigerator. - [Special Considerations for Emergencies](https://www.cdc.gov/infant-feeding-emergencies-toolkit/php/special-considerations.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: unopened ready-to-feed formula, discarding opened or prepared formula after 4 hours without power, and the rules for frozen and thawed breast milk. - [Feeding Your Child Safely During a Disaster](https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/php/guidelines-recommendations/feeding-your-child-safely-during-a-disaster.html) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: electric breast pumps possibly being unusable in an outage. - [Prepare Your Pets for Disasters](https://www.ready.gov/pets) — Ready.gov Supports: several days of pet food and water, an extra supply of medicine in a waterproof container, and "Review your kits regularly". - [Pet emergency checklist](https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/media/pdfs/disaster-prep-Pet-Emergency-Checklist-1.pdf) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Supports: "2-week supply of food for each animal" and "2-week supply of water for each animal". ## Deep dives from our article library Each of these goes deeper on a single part of power-outage preparedness than a single page allows. For longer outages, read the [grid-down and long-outage guides](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/topics/grid-down-emp-cyber-attack). You can also [set up BeAware email alerts for river levels, wildfire distance and air quality](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/help/beaware/set-up-alerts). [ ![Complete Power Outage Survival Guide](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/718929e5-900b-4b08-b3d8-05fe095499de/hero-e2a18e69-59c0-4a78-9180-a18ec070e173.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Complete Power Outage Survival Guide Goes deeper on every section on this page, with concrete household-size math and a seasonal preparation calendar. ](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/complete-power-outage-survival-guide)[ ![Food Storage During Power Outages](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/20027818-0422-4565-89bb-4ec099a8dfb9/hero-3620a8f2-4876-431f-8398-28bca6092eb1.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Food Storage During Power Outages The 4-hour fridge window and 48-hour freezer window explained item by item. Exactly which foods to save first, which to discard immediately, and which survive longer than you think. ](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/food-storage-during-power-outages)[ ![Generator vs. Power Station: Which Is Best for Winter Outages?](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/96acb28e-b35f-401e-b857-212a3106f4cb/hero-c8d1fadd-8643-4599-a3e0-a2af4a0cecd8.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Generator vs. Power Station: Which Is Best for Winter Outages? Real capacity math, runtime data, and cold-weather performance metrics. The "do I need a generator?" section above, with the numbers worked out. ](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/generator-vs-power-station-which-is-best-for-winter-outages)[ ![Winter Power Outage Survival: Essential Items Checklist](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/8b5f6a49-0ef4-4faa-b3ea-036e1496943f/hero-d1de360a-3e6f-41f4-84b2-c0cb89267a70.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Winter Power Outage Survival: Essential Items Checklist Winter-specific gear to add to the checklist above, item by item. ](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/winter-power-outage-survival-essential-items-checklist)[ ![How to Create a Backup Power Plan for Winter Storms](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/6fa16e83-d2a6-47c6-9e8a-949760c2eadd/hero-00cef369-e8f0-4d56-9661-6b344b2cd621.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### How to Create a Backup Power Plan for Winter Storms How to plan backup power for a multi-day winter outage: prioritization, sequencing, and cold-weather fuel storage. ](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/how-to-create-a-backup-power-plan-for-winter-storms)[ ![Non-Electric Alternatives for Daily Life](https://db.bepreparedsolutions.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/content_images/7e2a753e-a8e3-41df-85dc-94ab208f32ff/hero-6f9ef788-de86-44ec-b0be-76198ec490ba.webp?width=2500&quality=75&resize=contain) ### Non-Electric Alternatives for Daily Life Can openers, hand tools, French presses, analog clocks. The manual substitutions that keep a household functional when the grid does not. ](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/learn/articles/non-electric-alternatives-for-daily-life) ## Preparedness that goes beyond the next outage BeAware shows nearby utility outages on your dashboard, BeReady plans the first 72 hours without power, BeEquipped offers power outage kits, and BeAdvised gives you a preparedness expert to plan with. [See all BePrepared solutions](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/) Or try it first: BeAware and BeReady free for 7 days, no credit card.[Start my free 7-day trial](https://bepreparedsolutions.co/trial?source=guide_power_outage) --- _Guidance here is general and cannot account for your circumstances. In an active emergency, official instructions from local authorities take precedence over anything published by BePrepared Solutions._