Have the basics ready before it happens: flashlights (not candles), extra batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a power bank for your phone, and a carbon monoxide detector with a battery backup near each sleeping area.
Home Prep · Home Prep: ready at home course
When the power goes out
A power outage turns small things into big problems: a cold house, spoiling food, no lights and dangerous fumes from generatorsgenerator A gas engine that makes electricity. Its exhaust can kill, so it only runs outside, at least 20 feet from the house. and grills. Here is what the CDC, food safety experts and the Weather Service say to do.
Why this matters
Power outages happen in every state, from storms, heat waves and ice. Most are short, but some last days.
The biggest dangers are not the dark or the cold; they are carbon monoxidecarbon monoxide A colorless, odorless gas from any open flame or stove in a closed space. It can kill without warning; the one visible sign is cherry red lips and inner eyelids. from generators and grills, fires from candles, and spoiled food.
What you need
- Flashlights, batteries, a radio, a power bank, and a gas alarm (CO detector) with battery backup.
- A cooler and ice packs, and warm layers and blankets.
A few minutes to learn; an hour to put an outage kit together.
Step by step
Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed fridge keeps food safe about 4 hours. A full freezer keeps about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24.
After 4 hours without power, throw out perishableperishable Food that spoils without a fridge: meat, fish, eggs, milk, soft cheese and leftovers. food like meat, fish, eggs, milk, soft cheese and leftovers. Hard cheese, butter, condiments and bread are fine. Never taste food to check it. When in doubt, throw it out.
Stay warm: close off rooms you are not using, stuff towels under doors, close curtains at night and open them for sun in the day. Wear loose layers, a hat and socks, and sleep together in one room.
Rungame trail A narrow path worn through grass or brush by animals using it over and over. A trap goes on a trail an animal already uses. a generator only outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never in the house, garage, basement or porch, even with doors open.
Never heat the house with a gas oven, a grill, a camp stove or charcoal indoors. Carbon monoxide has no color or smell. Headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach and confusion mean get outside into fresh air and call 911.
Cook outside on a grill or camp stove, or eat food that needs no cooking.
Unplug electronics so a power surge does not damage them when power returns. Leave one lamp on so you know when it is back. Check on older neighbors.
Tips from survival instructors
- Keep a thermometer in the fridge and freezer so you know whether food stayed at 40°F or below.
- Fill the freezer with water bottles or ice so it stays cold longer when the power goes out.
Common mistakes
- Running a generator in the garage. The fix: outdoors only, at least 20 feet from openings.
- Using candles for light. The fix: flashlights and battery lanterns.
- Opening the fridge to check food. The fix: keep it closed.
- Heating with the oven or a grill. The fix: never; layer up and gather in one room.
Practice it safely
Put a flashlight in every bedroom and the kitchen. Test your CO alarms and change their batteries when the clocks change.
Quick check
Is it OK to heat the house with a gas oven or a grill?
- Yes, for a short time
- Never; they can fill the house with a deadly gas
- Only with a window open
Show the answer
Never; they can fill the house with a deadly gas
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The app checks your answers, keeps your place in the Home Prep: ready at home, and works with no signal once saved.
Before you rely on thisA learning tool, not a replacement for training. In an emergency, call 911.