Fridge/freezer
Refrigeration can stop and food can spoil.
What to have instead
Keep doors closed; have shelf-stable food and use official food-safety advice.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesWhat stops working — and what to have instead
Check your home and building's actual dependencies. Powered access and backup systems vary; these are planning questions, not a prediction that every service will fail.
Cooking
Electric cooking appliances depend on power.
What to have instead
Keep ready-to-eat food and a manual can opener. Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/foodLights
Powered lighting may be unavailable.
What to have instead
Keep flashlights and matching spare batteries; avoid candles.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesHeating/cooling
Heating and cooling can be interrupted.
What to have instead
Plan layers and a safe powered location if temperatures become unsafe. Do not use a stove for heat.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesPhone/internet
Communications may be disrupted; do not rely on one channel.
What to have instead
Have a charged power bank, a battery or hand-crank radio, and written contacts.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesCard payments/ATMs
Banks, ATMs and shops may close; check payment alternatives.
What to have instead
Keep some cash and needed account/contact information safely on paper.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/kitTap water/pumps
Water service or safety can be affected; check whether your home uses powered pumps.
What to have instead
Store water using 1 gallon per person per day and follow your provider's water notices.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesMedical devices
Powered devices and refrigerated medicines can be affected.
What to have instead
Make a clinician-approved backup-power and medication-storage plan; do not guess device runtime.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesGarage doors/elevators
Check powered access in your home or building; backup arrangements vary.
What to have instead
Ask building management about accessible outage exits. Learn your door's safe manual operation from its manufacturer before an outage.
Official source · https://www.ready.gov/power-outagesWhat it is
A multi-day outage can interrupt several everyday services at once. Check what your household depends on and plan alternatives; not every building loses the same services. Source: Ready.gov · https://www.ready.gov/power-outages
First 72 minutes
This 72-minute structure is GetKit72's own organization of official guidance, not a government standard. Act immediately when needed; do not wait to seek help.
Call 911 first if anyone is hurt or in danger
What stops working in an outage
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Follow current instructions from local officials and emergency responders.
Before
After
Near you
Enter your ZIP to see your area.
Headlines from third-party publishers. Official alerts are labeled separately. Publisher location does not establish where an event occurred.
Kit for this hazard
Supply options, not a substitute for emergency instructions. Follow the official guidance and product instructions; never delay leaving an unsafe scene to collect equipment.
Jackery portable power station
Affiliate disclosure: GetKit72 earns commissions on qualifying purchases through these links. Recommendations are based on Red Cross / FEMA / Ready.gov guidance, not commission rates.
Lantern
Affiliate disclosure: GetKit72 earns commissions on qualifying purchases through these links. Recommendations are based on Red Cross / FEMA / Ready.gov guidance, not commission rates.
Crank radio
Affiliate disclosure: GetKit72 earns commissions on qualifying purchases through these links. Recommendations are based on Red Cross / FEMA / Ready.gov guidance, not commission rates.
Water storage
Affiliate disclosure: GetKit72 earns commissions on qualifying purchases through these links. Recommendations are based on Red Cross / FEMA / Ready.gov guidance, not commission rates.
Frequently asked
Can I use a generator indoors?
Keep generators outdoors only, away from doors, windows and vents; never use them in a garage. Source: CDC · Carbon monoxide · https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
What about powered medical devices?
Follow a clinician-approved plan for medical equipment and refrigerated medicine. Source: Ready.gov · https://www.ready.gov/power-outages
Where can I go if indoor temperatures are unsafe?
Go to a safe powered location if indoor temperature becomes unsafe and it is safe to travel. Source: Ready.gov · https://www.ready.gov/power-outages
Sources
- Ready.gov · https://www.ready.gov/power-outages
- FDA · https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/power-outages-key-tips-consumers-about-food-safety
- CDC · Carbon monoxide · https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
GetKit72 is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies. Follow local officials and emergency responders.