Make a Plan for a Power Outage
Prepare a simple household outage plan for essential devices, safe lighting, phone charging, and reliable updates.
Decide what must keep working
List the devices your household relies on and what each one needs during an outage. Include phones, a medical device, a powered mobility aid, a refrigerator for temperature-sensitive medicine, or a baby monitor. Note whether it uses a battery, needs a wall outlet, or must be connected continuously. This list helps you decide what to prepare first.
For example, a household might mark a phone as useful for communication, a flashlight as necessary for moving safely, and a prescribed medical device as essential. Ask the equipment provider what backup power is appropriate for the specific device; do not guess how long a battery will last or substitute an unapproved power source.
Choose lighting that can be placed safely
Keep a battery lantern or flashlight where household members can find it in the dark. A lantern can light a room hands-free, while a flashlight is useful for a focused beam when checking a hallway or cupboard. Store spare batteries with the light, following the manufacturer's guidance, and check them periodically.
Avoid using candles as the default lighting plan, especially near curtains, bedding, children, or pets. Keep portable lights away from walkways where someone could trip over them, and make sure everyone knows where the primary light is stored.
Plan phone charging and updates
Choose at least one way to recharge a phone, such as a charged battery pack or a vehicle charging adapter. Keep the pack charged and the right cable beside it. A car can be a backup if it is safely parked outdoors; never run a vehicle in an enclosed garage. Use the phone's low-power mode, dim its screen, and limit nonessential streaming or browsing to stretch its charge.
Decide how you will check for current information. Write down the electric utility's outage-reporting or update channel and keep the account number nearby. Ready.gov recommends having an alternative way to charge a phone during a power outage; its preparedness information can also help you think through a household plan.
Put the plan where people can use it
Write a short checklist with device priorities, light locations, charging options, and the utility contact method. Add a meeting point or a way for household members to communicate if phone service is limited. Keep a paper copy in a known place, since a phone may be low on power when you need the instructions.
Review the plan when devices, household members, or contact details change. A five-minute check of charged batteries, cables, and written information can make the first steps of an outage more orderly.
Sources & further reading
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