Power Outages
The First 10 Things to Check Before the Lights Go Out
A room-by-room household walk-through for lighting, charging, food, medication, and safety.
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A useful outage plan starts before the forecast gets serious. Walk through these ten checks while the lights are still on and turn scattered supplies into a plan your household can actually use.
Written by Coach Dex
Practical guidance, checked against primary sources
Coach Dex is the founder and author behind SWC. Safety-sensitive guidance is checked against current government, public-safety, utility, or manufacturer information before publication.
Start with the people in the house
List the needs that become harder without power: medication refrigeration, mobility equipment, medical devices, temperature sensitivity, infant care, and pet care. Decide now who will check on each person.
- Write down medication and equipment needs
- Identify a nearby backup location
- Save utility and local emergency numbers
Check light, power, and communication
Put a working flashlight where each person can reach it. Charge power banks and phones, and make sure everyone knows how to receive local alerts without relying on social media alone.
- Test flashlights and replace weak batteries
- Charge phones, power banks, and rechargeable lights
- Download or print essential contact information
Protect food, water, and the home
Set refrigerator and freezer temperatures correctly, group frozen food together, and identify what you will eat first. Never use a grill, camp stove, or generator indoors or near openings.
- Freeze containers of water to help the freezer stay cold
- Set aside easy meals that require no cooking
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Know how to operate the garage door manually
Do this today
Your next three steps
- 1Test every flashlight tonight
- 2Charge one backup power bank
- 3Choose one safe place to keep your outage plan
SWC provides general education. During an active emergency, follow local officials and the appropriate authorities.
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