At a Glance
- Power outages can stem from storms, heat waves, wildfires, or a delivery driver.
- Preparedness is key to staying safe during blackouts.
- Experts outline steps before, during, and after outages.
- Why it matters: Knowing how to prepare can prevent injury, keep families fed, and keep critical devices running when the lights go out.
When the power shuts off, whether it’s because of a winter storm or a misfired delivery truck, the safest path is to be ready. Experts from the American Public Power Association and the American Red Cross share practical tips for keeping families safe, fed, and connected during outages.
Before the Blackout
The first step is to assess your household needs. Michael Coe, vice president for physical and cybersecurity programs with the American Public Power Association, says the answer varies if you have kids, pets, or medical devices that need constant power.
Michael Coe noted:
> “There are ways to provide backup batteries or other types of energy so that if there is some type of power shut-off, that they wouldn’t be affected.”
Denise Everhart, disaster executive with the American Red Cross, added that sometimes the best move is to evacuate if an outage would make things unsafe.
If you choose to stay, break out an emergency kit. Ideally it should contain:
- Two weeks of food, water, pet supplies and medicine
- Cash for a week, in case ATMs and credit card machines go down
- Flashlights, glow sticks or battery lanterns
- Backup phone batteries and charger cords
- Blankets in cold weather or extra water in hot weather
- Phone numbers of friends and family, written down in case your phone dies
- A solar-powered or hand-crank radio
Denise Everhart warned that the right food depends on the family:
> “Is your 6-year-old really going to eat a cold can of chili?”
Blackouts differ by location. If you have gas heat and live in a city, you’ll likely still be able to take hot showers. If you’re on electric heat and rely on well water, you’ll probably have one good toilet flush left from what’s in the tank, and no running water.
Matthew Gonzales, executive director for the Consumer Energy Alliance Southwest Region, recommends filling the tub or a bucket with water before the power goes out so you can keep flushing the toilet.
Sign up for emergency alerts from utilities, local police and EMS so you know immediately if there are boil-water notices or evacuation orders.
During the Blackout
Once the power’s out, keep the fridge closed so it stays cold. Michael Coe said food can last up to four hours in a refrigerator and up to 48 hours in a freezer, but those numbers drop if the door keeps opening.
Eat perishable food first. If it’s as cold as a refrigerator outside-about 37 °F (3 °C)-moving food outdoors can help it last longer, but temperature can fluctuate. If something smells, looks or tastes funny, don’t eat it.
Check water safety before using it. The Red Cross emergency app lists government alerts like boil-water notices when the supply gets contaminated.
To stay warm, use fireplaces or furnaces if available. If not, hand warmers ($1), heated jackets ($100+), battery-powered heated blankets ($40+) and portable propane space heaters ($80+) can help. The tanks that fuel those space heaters can also fuel small gas camping stoves.
Denise Everhart cautioned:
> “Don’t leave a space heater or candles unattended because that can cause a house fire, and don’t bring a generator inside because it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.”
If the temperature is too extreme, it’s time to leave. Before you do, check on neighbors if you’re able.
Planning for Next Time
The best time to plan is when there’s no imminent threat. Key items to consider include:
- Figure out how to open your garage door when the power’s out.
- Establish one place where you keep your keys, and have all your paperwork in one place in case you have to evacuate quickly.
- Come up with a plan B evacuation route that works if the main route is closed.
- If you’re taking public transportation, find out what their emergency routes look like.
- Save up for a larger generator. Portable options that supply 5,000-10,000 W can power small appliances and keep phones charged; they typically cost $500-$1,000.
- Solar battery storage or reverse electric-vehicle charging can help keep the power on when the rest of the grid goes down.
- Agree upon ways to contact or meet up with family or friends in case internet or phones stop working.
Denise Everhart summed up: > “Have a kit, have a plan, have a way to get notified, and a way to notify people. That’s really preparedness in a nutshell.”
Key Takeaways
- Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, cash, lights and a radio.
- Keep the fridge closed and use perishable food first during outages.
- Plan evacuation routes, backup power, and communication methods before a blackout.
Staying prepared can keep families safe, fed and connected when the lights go out.
