Power Outage Checklist

Power and charging

Portable power station – Small station for phones and travel Portable generator – outdoors only, 20+ ft from doors, windows, vents Lean-to for covering generator in bad weather (Plywood) Permanently installed standby generator Home battery backup system- Doc recommends the Pecron Portable solar panels – to recharge a power station UPC Power banks – Keeps Wi-Fi from going down during switch over and glitches Charging cables and adapters – one for every device 12V car charger – open air only, never a closed garage Heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cords – 12 or 10 gauge for heavy loads Transfer switch, interlock kit, or generator inlet – electrician-installed; never backfeed Surge protectors – Plug-in watt meter (less common) – check loads Battery backup sump pump (less common)

Light

Rechargeable Flashlights – one per person, plus kitchen and bedside Rechargeable Headlamps – hands-free LED lanterns – for shared rooms Flashlight mounted by the breaker panel Automatic outage lights (night lights with battery) Extra batteries – matched sizes; two spare sets One lamp left turned on – shows when power returns

Water

Stored drinking water – 1 gallon per person per day; 3 days minimum, 7 for a week-long outage Food-grade water storage containers – rotate every 6-12 months Extra water for pets – about 1 quart a day for a medium dog Extra stored water for homes on a well pump – pump stops without power Water filter – or a gravity filter Water purification tablets Bathtub water storage bladder – or spare jugs; flushing only, label not for drinking Manual well pump Electrolyte packets – heat and illness

Food and cooking

Non-perishable food – several days minimum; 2 weeks recommended No-cook staples – Shelf-stable milk (powdered) – Instant coffee, tea, and cocoa Special diet foods Manual can opener – keep a spare, plus a bottle opener Coolers Ice packs or frozen gel packs Frozen water jugs in the freezer – keeps food cold, then drinkable Coin-on-ice freezer check – coin sinks if the freezer thawed Refrigerator and freezer thermometers – 40°F fridge, 0°F freezer; fridge food about 4 hours Camp stove and fuel – outdoors only Outdoor grill – outdoors only Rocket stove (less common) Cast-iron skillet and Dutch oven (less common) Cooking pot and pan – boil water outdoors only Disposable plates, cups, and utensils – including bowls; skip dishwashing Paper towels Infant formula and baby food – 7+ days, plus water to mix Pet food – 7+ days

Heat and cooling

Warm blanket for each person – plus a spare set Electric Blankets – Great for warm nights with little power Sleeping bags – sub-zero or cold-weather rated Warm layers – wool or synthetic hats, gloves, socks, base layers Warm winter coats Complete change of clothing – climate-appropriate Sturdy shoes or waterproof boots Mylar emergency blankets Hand warmers – and foot warmers Wood stove or code-compliant fireplace – with dry firewood Firewood or fuel bricks – dry, about 7 days, plus kindling Indoor-rated propane or kerosene heater – check local rules; ventilate Battery-powered fans Window sealing materials – film, sheeting, or towels against drafts Lightweight, light-colored clothing – for heat waves Warm-room kit – staged in one small interior room

Communication

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio StarLink back-up wifi SEE WEBSITE FOR SPECIALS NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert Cell phone – charged before storms Check your phone for satellite service, Most have it. Printed contact list – family, doctor, pharmacy, utility, out-of-area Local emergency alerts and utility outage texts – sign up before the storm Bright signaling cloth – stranded vehicle Local paper maps – and a route to a hospital or warming center Paper, notebooks, and pens Portable HAM Radio – No license required if extreme emergency / life or property in danger. Hard to use and learn, but they are cheap.

Medical and hygiene

First aid kit – gauze, tape, antiseptic, ointment, thermometer, tweezers Oxygen Tank with mask – Amazon sells cheap ones. Prescription medications – 7-14 day supply, including emergency meds Printed medication list – drug, dose, prescriber Non-prescription medications – pain and fever, antihistamine, cold medicine, anti-diarrheal Backup power for medical devices – CPAP, oxygen, dialysis, feeding pump Spare batteries for medical devices and mobility aids Cooler plan for refrigerated medicine – with thermometer; do not freeze insulin Spare eyeglasses, contacts, and lens solution Hearing-aid batteries Denture supplies N95 Masks Disposable gloves Soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes Moist towelettes – and body wipes Dude Wipes Toilet paper – 7+ days Feminine hygiene products – 7+ days Incontinence supplies – 7+ days Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant Garbage bags and plastic ties – bag trash; keep it outside Bleach and non-electric cleaning supplies – unscented; cleaning or water treatment Emergency bucket toilet – lined; bags and cat litter or sawdust Buckets with tight-fitting lids – flush with 1-2 gallons in the bowl, not the tank Infant supplies – diapers, wipes, bottles, rash cream; 7+ days Pet supplies – leash, carrier, bowls, meds, waste bags, extra blanket

Fuel and safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors – battery backup every level; hardwired-only units go dead Smoke alarms with battery backup – every level; test monthly Several Fire extinguishers – ABC-rated; each level Approved fuel containers – never store gasoline indoors Stored generator fuel – about 72 hours; intermittent use stretches it Fuel stabilizer – for gas stored 30+ days Propane cylinders – for camp stove or heater Vehicle gas tank at least half full – topped off before a storm; or EV charged Matches in a waterproof container Lighters and fire starters

Documents and cash

Cash in small bills – ATMs and card readers go down Credit cards Copies of IDs, insurance policies, and bank records – including passports; paper and phone copies Medical records and insurance cards Pet Medical records – Your vet can email them to you. Photos of each room – for insurance claims Family emergency and communication plan – paper copy; tell an out-of-area contact Written list of essential loads and wattages – running and starting watts Utility account number and outage line Nearby shelter and warming/cooling center locations – address and phone; call 211 Printed backup-power instructions near the panel

Tools and misc

Wrench or pliers – to turn off utilities Multi-tool or knife Scissors Duct tape Plastic sheeting Work gloves – storm cleanup Sand – or non-clumping kitty litter, pet-safe, for slippery stairs and walkways Ice melt or rock salt – pet-safe if you have animals Snow shovel Ice scraper Pipe insulation or heat tape – problem runs; install before the season Basic hand tools (less common) – hammer, saw, hatchet Rope or paracord (less common) Waterproof storage bins for the kit Spare car key (less common) Books, cards, games, and puzzles – no screens needed

Doc’s Power Outage Prep List