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What to buy for a power outage

Most outages are short, but a storm can mean days. These are the supplies that matter, and the safety rules that go with them.

Sources read Oct 30, 2026.

🔌 Shop the power outage kitAmounts for your group, Amazon links, and a list you can save.

What you need

  • A flashlight for each person, and extra batteries.
  • Power banks or other backup power for phones and anything else you rely on that needs electricity.
  • A battery or hand-crank radio for news and weather.
  • Non-perishable food and water for several days.
  • A cooler and ice, and a thermometer to check food temperatures.
  • Carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level of the home.

From Ready.gov: Power Outages and Ready.gov: Build a Kit.

How to choose

  • Headlamps let you cook or help someone with both hands.
  • Use the same battery size across your lights where you can, so spares fit everything.
  • Bigger power banks charge more times but weigh more. Check you have the right cable for each phone.
  • A portable power station runs small devices quietly indoors; a generator runs more but needs outdoor space and fuel.

Our tips.

Keeping food safe

  • Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer for about 48 hours.
  • Throw out food that has been at 40°F or warmer for 2 hours or more, or that smells, looks or feels wrong. When in doubt, throw it out.

From Ready.gov: Power Outages.

Generators and carbon monoxide

  • Run a generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.
  • Keep it dry, use heavy-duty extension cords, and let it cool before refueling.
  • Camp stoves and charcoal grills are for outdoors too. Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven.

From Ready.gov: Power Outages.

Medical needs

  • If someone uses powered medical equipment or refrigerated medicine, ask their provider for an outage plan.
  • After an outage longer than a day, throw out medicine that should be refrigerated unless the label says otherwise, and call the doctor or pharmacist.

From Ready.gov: Power Outages.

Easy to forget

  • Unplug electronics so a surge doesn't damage them when the power comes back.
  • Find out where heating or cooling centers open near you.
  • Check whether your home phone works without power.

From Ready.gov: Power Outages.

Sources

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General preparedness information, not professional or medical advice. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.