Most outages are short. The ones that aren't are easier when the basics are already in one place. Here is a simple list to set up once.
Light
- One light per room you'll actually use: kitchen, hallway, bathroom, bedroom.
- A lantern that stands or hangs on its own, so both hands stay free for cooking or kids.
- Keep one where you can find it in the dark, such as a kitchen drawer or by the bed.
- Avoid open flames near curtains, pets and children.
Power for your phone
- A charged backup battery and the right cable.
- Turn on low power mode early and lower the screen brightness.
Water and food
- Ready.gov suggests one gallon of water per person per day for several days.
- Food that needs no cooking, and a manual can opener.
Information and safety
- A battery or hand-crank radio.
- A first aid kit and any prescription medicines.
- Run generators outdoors only, away from windows.
Check twice a year
Recharge lights and battery packs when the clocks change, and replace anything that has expired.
Our solar fold-out lantern covers the light and gives a phone an emergency top-up. For the full official list, see Ready.gov's Build a Kit page. We are not affiliated with Ready.gov.