Review the functions that depend on electricity and turn the answers into a short household plan.
List what stops when power is unavailable
Think beyond lights. Phone charging, internet equipment, refrigeration, elevators, payment access, and medically necessary devices can all depend on electricity. Write down what your household uses and which interruptions can safely wait.
If someone relies on powered medical equipment or refrigerated medication, ask the care team and supplier for an individual plan. Find out what backup is compatible, when assistance is needed, and where the person can safely go. A general checklist cannot establish an appropriate medical runtime or storage limit.
Keep lighting and communication from competing
A phone used as the only flashlight can consume energy needed for communication. Keep a separate working battery light in a known location. Check the path from sleeping areas to the exit and make sure supplies do not obstruct movement.
Test the actual power bank and cable used to charge the phone. Before selecting additional backup power, record each essential device’s requirements and intended operating time. Capacity, output compatibility, and duration are separate questions.
Plan for food without repeatedly opening the refrigerator
During an outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. Food safety depends on temperature, elapsed time, food type, and available cooling. Use an appliance thermometer and official food-specific guidance rather than smell or taste.
Keep a familiar no-cook meal option and usable water available so you do not need to repeatedly open the refrigerator while deciding what to eat. Follow storage and preparation instructions, including requirements after a package is opened.
Put the family’s next actions on paper
Record a meeting plan, essential contacts, the location of lights and supplies, and alternatives for important devices. Make the sheet readable to the people who will actually use it and avoid adding passwords or unnecessary identity information.
| Function | Your household answer |
|---|---|
| Safe light | Location and last function check: ___ |
| Communication | Charged device, cable, and paper contact copy: ___ |
| Medical needs | Individual supplier/care-team plan and assistance: ___ |
| Food and water | No-cook option and usable water location: ___ |
| Movement | Safe route, assistance, and current official instructions: ___ |
The worksheet is useful only when other family members understand it. Ask them to find a light and explain the next action without relying on one person’s memory.
Avoid unsafe substitutes
Never use a fuel-powered generator, charcoal grill, or camping stove indoors. Do not use a gas cooking appliance to heat the home. Fuel-powered generators must remain outdoors, well away from building openings; do not improvise a connection into household wiring.
Where an immediate danger requires leaving, prioritize people over collecting supplies. Do not re-enter an unsafe space to retrieve a bag or battery.
Do this today
- List essential electricity-dependent functions.
- Find and test a separate flashlight.
- Review the food, water, and medical arrangements.
- Write one household action sheet and show it to everyone who needs it.
References: Ready.gov power outages and FoodSafety.gov emergency food safety. Follow current local instructions during an event.