Ready For Unsteady Editorial Team
The Ready For Unsteady Editorial Team develops practical emergency preparedness guidance for everyday people. Content is informed by community preparedness training, public safety guidance, real-world experience, and reviewed for clarity and accuracy before publication.
Power Outage Checklist for Families: What to Prepare Before the Lights Go Out
When your home loses power, the first few hours usually feel manageable.
Then the questions start.
Is the food in the fridge still okay? Do we have enough water? How are we charging phones if this lasts longer than expected? If someone in the house uses refrigerated medication or medical equipment, the situation can get serious quickly.
Having a checklist helps take some of the guesswork out of it.
Download our 72-hour checklist or take a look at Ready.gov’s checklist here.
Start with water
Water is one of the easiest things to overlook until you need it. You should store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation. If an outage affects a well pump or local water treatment, water may need to be, boiled, treated, or use bottled water.
For many families, bottled water is the simplest place to begin. If you have room, it is worth keeping a little extra on hand. It also helps to think about the details that are easy to miss, like formula prep, basic hygiene, or extra water for pets.
Keep food easy and familiar
It is helpful to have foods on hand that are easy to store and easy to use. Shelf-stable basics can go a long way here. If you keep canned food, make sure a manual can opener is nearby too. It is a small detail, but it makes a difference.
It also helps to know what is still safe once the fridge stops running. An unopened refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours. A full freezer will keep food safe for 48 hours, or 24 hours if it is half full, as long as the door stays closed.
USDA’s food safety information for emergencies also says foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers should be thrown out after 4 hours without power. Appliance thermometers can help you figure out whether food stayed in a safe temperature range.
A little planning helps here. Think about what your family could comfortably eat from the pantry, what should stay in the freezer as long as possible, and what is safest to let go once it has warmed up.
Keep lighting and charging supplies easy to reach
Store a few flashlights around your home in spots that are easy to access, like a bedside table, a kitchen drawer, a hallway closet, or near the main living area. That way, no matter where you are when the lights go out, you are not fumbling around in the dark trying to find one.
It is also worth keeping at least one headlamp in the house. They can make simple tasks much easier because it frees up your hands for things like cooking, cleaning up, or helping kids without trying to balance a flashlight at the same time.
Keep a few backup items nearby too, like extra batteries, charging cords, and a power bank. Battery-powered lighting and a weather radio can be especially useful if the outage is tied to a storm or changing conditions outside.
Battery-powered devices are safer options than candles, especially in homes with children or pets. It is also worth checking ahead of time how long your phone, modem, or home phone battery backup will actually last, so there are fewer surprises if the outage stretches on.
Think through medical needs before an outage happens
This part matters a lot, especially if someone in your home relies on electricity for health or mobility. Certain medications need refrigeration. Some devices need backup power. If anyone in your household uses a CPAP machine, oxygen equipment, refrigerated medication, or another device that depends on electricity, those items should be part of the plan from the beginning.
Even a simple written note can help here. List what needs power, what needs to stay cold, what backup options you have, and who to call if you need help.
Be thoughtful with backup power
Generators can be helpful, but they need to be used carefully. The CDC’s page on what to do during a power outage explains that generators can produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and dangerous. Generators should never be used inside a home, basement, or garage, or within 20 feet of a window, door, or vent. A battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detector is also recommended when a generator is running.
The same goes for trying to heat a home with a gas stove or oven. That is not considered safe. If your household may rely on a generator, extension cords, or space heaters during an outage, it helps to read through everything ahead of time, while there is no pressure
Add a simple communication plan
Outages do not always happen when everyone is home.
A simple family emergency communication plan can help you decide who to contact, where to meet if needed, and which out-of-town person everyone can check in with. In some situations, texting may work better than calling.
This is also a good place to include the small details that matter during daily life. If you have a baby, include formula, bottles, diapers, and wipes. If you have pets, include food, extra water, medications, and anything else you would want easy to grab.
Family power outage checklist
Use this as a starting point, then shape it around your own household:
- Water for each person for several days
- Shelf-stable food
- Manual can opener
- Appliance thermometers for the refrigerator and freezer
- Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns
- Extra batteries
- Portable charger or power bank
- Car chargers and charging cables
- Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
- Refrigerated medication plan
- Backup power plan for medical devices
- Carbon monoxide detector with battery backup
- Family communication plan
- Infant supplies, if needed
- Pet food and extra water, if needed
Check it a couple of times a year
Plans are easier to trust when they still fit your life. Food expires, batteries lose charge, medications change, and households evolve. Taking a few minutes a couple of times a year to restock and update your list can make a real difference when the next outage happens.
September is National Preparedness Month, which is a great time to review your checklists, check supplies, and replace batteries and filters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much water should I store for a power outage?
A common recommendation is to store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation. If an outage also affects your water supply, you may need bottled, boiled, or treated water
How long does food stay safe in the fridge during a power outage?
An unopened refrigerator will usually keep food safe for up to 4 hours. After that, perishable foods like meat, eggs, milk, and leftovers may no longer be safe to eat.
How long will food last in the freezer without power?
A full freezer can keep food safe for about 48 hours, while a half-full freezer can keep food safe for about 24 hours, as long as the door stays closed.
What kind of lighting is best for a power outage?
Flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps are all good options. Headlamps are especially helpful because they keep your hands free for things like cooking, checking a breaker, or helping kids. Battery-powered lights are also safer than candles.
Is it safe to use a generator in the garage or near the house?
No. Generators should never be used inside a home, basement, or garage, or within 20 feet of a window, door, or vent because of carbon monoxide risk.
What should I keep charged before a storm or outage?
It helps to keep phones, portable chargers or power banks, backup batteries, and any medically necessary devices charged before bad weather arrives. If you rely on battery backup for a modem, home phone, or medical equipment, check how long that backup actually lasts.
