Power outages are among the most common household emergencies, ranging from a few hours to several days after major storms. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your household safe and comfortable.
Portable battery power stations are simpler and safer for indoor use, ideal for charging phones, running medical devices, or powering a few lights. Fuel-powered generators provide more capacity but come with a serious safety requirement: never run a fuel generator indoors, in a garage, or near windows, due to carbon monoxide risk.
Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors if you use any fuel-burning equipment during an outage, including generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills. Never use these indoors.
A hand-crank or battery-powered NOAA weather radio keeps you informed even when cell networks and power are down. Keep spare batteries on hand.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer generally stays safe for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer for about 24 hours. When in doubt, throw it out — spoiled food is not worth the risk.
Estimate the wattage of what you actually need to run (a fridge, a few lights, phone chargers) rather than buying the largest available unit. Manufacturer listings on Amazon typically list wattage capacity to help you compare.