The short answer: make a plan for the things that stop working without power (food, water, heat or cooling, medical devices, communication), build a simple outage kit, protect your electronics, and decide in advance how you will keep essentials running, whether that is a battery power station, a generator or a whole-home system. This checklist walks you through it room by room, so you are ready before the next storm or grid failure.
Step 1: Know your risks and your weak spots
Start by listing what in your home depends on electricity and what would happen if it stopped for 4 hours, 24 hours or 3 days.
- Food: according to Ready.gov, a closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours.
- Water: homes on a well lose water when the well pump loses power.
- Flooding: a sump pump stops exactly when storms make it most needed.
- Heating and cooling: most gas furnaces still need electricity for the blower and controls.
- Medical needs: CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, powered wheelchairs and refrigerated medicines.
- Communication and work: internet, phones, laptops.
- Security: garage doors, alarms, cameras and electronic locks.
Anything on this list that would be a serious problem is a priority for backup power.
Step 2: Build an outage kit
Keep these together in one place everyone in the house knows:
- Flashlights and headlamps (avoid candles where possible because of fire risk) plus spare batteries
- A battery or hand-crank radio for emergency updates
- Power banks charged and ready for phones
- Water: Ready.gov suggests at least one gallon per person per day for several days
- Non-perishable food that needs no cooking, and a manual can opener
- First-aid kit and a supply of any prescription medicines
- Coolers and ice packs, and an appliance thermometer for the fridge and freezer
- Copies of important documents and some cash, since card readers and ATMs may be down
- Warm blankets or sleeping bags in cold climates
Step 3: Prepare your home before storm season
- Install carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level and outside sleeping areas. CO risk goes up during outages when people use generators, heaters and grills.
- Protect electronics with surge protectors, and know how to unplug sensitive equipment when the power goes out so the surge when it returns does not damage it.
- Learn to open your garage door manually using the release cord.
- Keep your car fuel tank at least half full when storms are forecast. Gas stations need power to pump.
- Freeze containers of water to fill empty freezer space. A full freezer stays cold longer, and the ice doubles as drinking water.
- Tell your utility about medical needs. Many utilities keep a list of customers who rely on medical equipment.
- Sign up for outage alerts from your utility and local emergency management.
Step 4: Choose how you will keep essentials running
This is the biggest decision. Start by working out how many watts your essentials use; our guide on what size generator you need has a simple worksheet. Then pick the approach that fits your home:
For apartments, condos and essentials only
A portable power station is a large rechargeable battery with outlets. It is quiet, makes no fumes and is safe to use indoors, which makes it the practical choice for condos and apartments, medical devices and keeping phones, Wi-Fi and a fridge running for shorter outages.
For multi-day outages without fuel
A solar generator pairs a power station with solar panels so you can recharge during the day. It is a good fit if you want to avoid storing fuel. See our guide on how to choose a solar generator for home backup.
For heavy loads on a budget
An inverter or dual-fuel generator gives you plenty of power for well pumps, furnaces and multiple appliances. Have an electrician install a transfer switch or interlock so you can power selected circuits safely, and keep fuel stored properly.
For automatic, whole-home coverage
A permanently installed standby generator or a whole-home battery backup system switches over by itself, even when you are away. These need professional installation and cost more; see our guides to standby vs portable vs solar generators and whole-house generator costs.
Step 5: During an outage
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible.
- Run any fuel-burning generator outdoors only. The CDC advises at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. Never run one in a garage or basement, even with the door open.
- Never plug a generator into a wall or dryer outlet to power the house. Use a transfer switch or plug appliances directly into the generator with outdoor-rated cords.
- Never use a gas stove, oven or grill to heat your home.
- Turn off or unplug electronics and large appliances, leaving one light on so you know when power is back.
- Check on neighbours, especially older adults and people who rely on medical equipment.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to your utility.
Step 6: After the power comes back
- Check food temperatures. When in doubt, throw it out; follow the food safety guidance from Ready.gov and the CDC.
- Plug electronics back in gradually.
- Recharge your power station, power banks and flashlights right away.
- Refuel or restock your generator fuel, and note anything you wished you had during the outage.
Keep your backup ready year-round
Whatever you choose, test it before you need it. Run a generator under load every month or two, keep battery systems topped up (many manufacturers recommend partial charge for long storage; check the manual), and replace stored fuel on schedule. A quick seasonal check before hurricane or winter storm season saves a lot of stress.
FAQ
What should I do first to prepare for a power outage?
List what in your home depends on power and what would be a serious problem without it (food, water from a well, a sump pump, medical devices, heat). Then build a basic kit and decide how you will power the most important items.
How long will food last in a power outage?
According to Ready.gov, about four hours in a closed refrigerator and about 48 hours in a full freezer. Keep the doors closed and use a thermometer to check.
Is it safe to use a generator during an outage?
Yes, if it runs outdoors well away from the house (the CDC advises at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents), you have working CO alarms, and it connects through cords or an electrician-installed transfer switch, never a wall outlet.
What is the best backup power for an apartment?
Usually a portable power station, because it is quiet, produces no fumes and is safe indoors. Size it to the devices you want to run and for how long.
Should I unplug appliances when the power goes out?
Unplugging sensitive electronics and turning off large appliances helps protect them from the surge when power returns. Leave one light on so you know when it is back.
Questions about what you need to keep running? Email us and we will help.
This guide is general information, not electrical advice. Anything connected to your home’s wiring should be installed by a licensed electrician and checked against local code.