When the grid goes down: start with the essentials
A power outage does not require a complete off-grid lifestyle to prepare for it. Start with the services your household depends on: lighting, communication, water, food storage, safe temperatures and essential medical equipment. Build a plan for an interruption, then identify what would need to change if it lasted longer.
Before an outage: write down your priorities
List the people and pets in your household, essential devices, emergency contacts and a safe place to go if home conditions become unsuitable. Keep a paper copy of the plan. Discuss backup arrangements for powered medical equipment and refrigerated medicines with your healthcare provider and equipment supplier in advance.
Check supplies you already own before shopping. Group lights, spare batteries, charging cables, first-aid supplies and ready-to-eat food where everyone can find them. Practice finding and using them in daylight.
During an outage: check information and conditions
Use your utility’s outage reporting service and follow local emergency instructions. Choose battery-powered lighting. Check on household members and neighbors when it is safe. If your home becomes dangerously hot or cold, use an appropriate community shelter or another safe location rather than relying on an improvised heating setup.
Keep water and food in the plan
Store drinking water and food your household can use without normal kitchen services. Follow local water advisories. A rain barrel, well or filter is not automatically a safe drinking-water supply; the source and treatment requirements need to be evaluated before use.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed and use appliance thermometers. For decisions about food after an outage, follow current official food-safety guidance rather than relying on appearance or smell alone.
Match backup power to specific devices
Write down each device, its power requirements and how long you need it to run. Check the exact equipment manuals for compatibility and charging limits. Compare options with our solar generator guide. Battery storage has a finite capacity, and solar recharging depends on conditions; plan for a fallback if charging is unavailable.
Fuel-burning generators must operate outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never run one inside a home or garage. Do not use a gas stovetop or oven to heat the home. Maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. See CDC generator safety guidance and the Ready.gov power-outage checklist.
Build longer-term capability gradually
Gardening, rainwater collection and permanent backup systems can support longer-term goals, but each needs planning, maintenance and practice. Start with one useful improvement, document its limitations and test your household routine before expanding it.
Use our Be Prepared guide for next steps. For equipment questions, send your intended use and delivery ZIP code through our inquiry page. We will confirm current sourcing options and terms before accepting an order.
