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Home power outage checklist

A paper plan for the things that are easy to forget when the lights go out. Print it, fill in the blanks, and keep it with your power station.

Plan your loads

Prepared by WattBench · Updated November 2026 · Date: ____________________

Before the storm

Charge every power station, phone bank, and laptop to 100%. Fill water bottles and a bathtub if water pressure depends on power. Freeze water bottles or ice packs for the fridge and freezer. Test flashlights, headlamps, and a battery radio. Stage solar panels where they will get sun after the storm. Print this checklist and the contact list; do not rely on a charged phone.

Power and charging

Keep the power station in a cool, dry, ventilated spot. Label each cable and adapter; keep the CPAP DC adapter with the station. Turn off and unplug sensitive electronics before the outage. Use heavy-gauge extension cords and avoid daisy-chaining. Never connect a station to a house panel without a transfer switch. Recharge during the day; run high-draw loads in short blocks.

Food safety

Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer holds temperature for about 48 hours; a half-full one for about 24. Discard perishable food above 40F for more than two hours. Use a cooler for drinks and snacks so the main fridge stays shut. Run the fridge in 30-60 minute blocks if battery is tight.

Medical and accessibility

Charge CPAP, nebulizer, and other medical devices before the storm. Keep a backup battery or travel device for life-sustaining equipment. Have a plan to move to a powered location if the outage is long. Keep medications, hearing aids, and spare batteries in one grab bag. Check on neighbors who depend on powered medical equipment.

Communications

Save local emergency numbers and a paper contact list. Send a check-in message before the outage; conserve phone battery after. Keep a battery radio for local alerts if cell service fails. Write down the utility outage number and your account number.

Safety

Never run a gas generator indoors, in a garage, or near a window. Keep generators at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. Do not use a charcoal grill or camp stove indoors for heat. Install carbon monoxide alarms and test them. Turn off major appliances to avoid a surge when power returns. Avoid downed power lines and report them to the utility.

After power returns

Wait a few minutes before turning major appliances back on. Check the fridge and freezer temperatures before keeping food. Recharge the power station to 100%, then store at 50-60% for long-term storage. Refill water, fuel, and medical supplies. Review what ran out or failed and update the kit.

Notes and contacts

Utility outage number:Account number:Neighbor / emergency contact:Medical device backup plan:Station model and capacity:

This checklist is general preparedness information, not medical or electrical advice. Follow local utility and emergency guidance. WattBench earns a commission if you buy through links on this page. That does not change our rankings, the specs we report, or the math we show. How we make money.