Power outage
From a few hours to a few days: keeping your household comfortable, fed, and in touch when the lights go out and stay out.
What usually happens
[Section content to be written and fact-checked against Ready.gov, FEMA, and the American Red Cross before publishing. Two to four short paragraphs describing the realistic shape of this situation for a household.]
What matters most
[Three to five priorities, each a short heading and a paragraph. Sourced and reviewed before publishing.]
What to have on hand
A short list. Tick what you already have; most households have more than they think.
Before, during, and after
Before
[Plain steps, sourced and reviewed.]
During
[Plain steps, sourced and reviewed.]
After
[Plain steps, sourced and reviewed.]
Tonight, one thing
Find one flashlight, check that it works, and put it on your nightstand. Then put a second one in the kitchen drawer. That's the whole job; if you're feeling ambitious, put a thermometer in the refrigerator too.
Sources and limits
FEMA and Ready.gov, "Be Prepared for a Power Outage" (FEMA V-1008, December 2023). ready.gov/power-outages
American Red Cross, "Power Outage Safety" and "Survival Kit Supplies" (read October 2026). redcross.org
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods" (current as of March 2024). fda.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics" (reviewed January 2026) and "How to Create an Emergency Water Supply" (reviewed June 2025). cdc.gov
HRSA Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222. poisonhelp.hrsa.gov
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, "Power Outage Safety Tips." dhses.ny.gov
Where sources differ in detail, we've used the most recent version.
This pathway doesn't cover medication amounts, generator wiring, or gas appliances. Those belong to your pharmacist, a licensed electrician, and your utility. During an emergency, local officials' instructions come first.