Power outage preparedness: food, generators, and health

Prepare for the first hours

Power restoration estimates change. Check your utility and local emergency-management updates when communication is available. Do not rely on a social post or a map downloaded earlier for current outages or road conditions.

• Keep flashlights, extra batteries, and a battery-powered way to receive local emergency information where household members can find them.
• Charge phones and backup batteries before severe weather when it is safe to do so. Keep one charging cable with your emergency supplies.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A refrigerator generally keeps food cold for up to four hours; a full freezer for about 48 hours and a half-full freezer about 24 hours, if doors stay closed.
• Make a plan for essential medicines and power-dependent medical equipment with your health-care professional and equipment supplier.

Use generators outdoors only

Carbon monoxide has no smell or color and can be deadly. A generator, gasoline-powered engine, charcoal grill, camping stove, or fuel-burning lantern must never be operated inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper.

CDC says to keep portable generators and other gasoline-powered engines at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, and to use a battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detector. Follow the equipment instructions, local fire guidance, and current public-safety advice.

If anyone may have carbon monoxide exposure—such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or confusion—get everyone outside into fresh air and contact emergency services. Do not go back into an enclosed area to retrieve belongings.

Use official food-safety rules

A closed refrigerator generally keeps food cold for up to four hours. A full freezer generally keeps food frozen for about 48 hours, or about 24 hours if half full. A thermometer helps you check actual temperatures when power returns.

CDC says to discard perishable refrigerator food after four or more hours without power or another cold source; discard frozen perishables if they have thawed and were above safe temperatures. Never taste food to decide whether it is safe. Check the current FoodSafety.gov chart before keeping or discarding particular items.

Account for medical and temperature needs

People who use powered medical devices, refrigerated medicine, oxygen equipment, or powered mobility equipment may need an earlier backup plan. Ask the prescriber and equipment supplier what the specific device or medicine requires; needs vary, so a general checklist cannot replace that advice.

If indoor heat or cold becomes unsafe, follow local emergency guidance and arrange an accessible place with safe temperature control. Do not heat a home with a gas oven or a charcoal or camping appliance.

Make the backup kit easy to find

Keep a labeled flashlight, batteries, a radio if available, water, shelf-stable food, needed medicines, and phone power supplies together where household members can reach them safely. Add supplies for children, pets, mobility aids, and the conditions common where you live.

A downloaded guide or household checklist can remain useful without internet, but live weather, outage, health, and evacuation updates require current local sources whenever they are reachable.