The Ultimate Power Outage Emergency Supply Kit (Checklist for 2025)

Planning takes the anxiety out of the unknowns and what-ifs. While it would be helpful to know when to expect power outages, the reality is that they can strike at any time for several reasons. You can’t control the timing; you can only control how prepared you are for any outage situation. 

Find peace of mind with this comprehensive emergency supply kit checklist and detailed guide, which will help you through any outage in comfort and safety.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Power Outages?

Outages happen for many reasons. They’re likely to occur due to extreme weather or natural disasters, with about 83% of all power cuts triggered by weather-related events. However, that’s not the only cause. Other possibilities include unexpected surges, human error, accidents, or an unsustainably high power demand.

• Extreme Weather: Power outages are most consistently caused by extreme weather, whether through severe storms, winter ice and snow, extended heat waves, or high winds. This weather may damage equipment, knock down power lines, or cause issues with transformers.
• Power Demand Spikes: Peak hours may see unprecedented levels of energy demand, and especially during extreme cold or hot weather, the electrical grid’s infrastructure may not be able to maintain a consistent supply.
• Human Error: Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes, those mistakes may lead to accidental outages. Maintenance or electrical workers must perform complex tasks, and it could be as simple as snipping the wrong wire, leading to an extended outage.
• Power Surge: A power surge is a sudden influx of high voltage that only lasts for a brief time. It can cause an outage, including blackouts or brownouts, but it can also happen once power is restored, causing potential damage to home electronics and appliances.
• Accidents: Trees or vehicles may collide with electrical infrastructure. Trees and large branches can fall during storms, cutting out power in local homes and businesses. Other times, a car may crash into a power line or transformer and cause damaging power issues that require ample time to repair.
• Animals: Animals can be pests to utility poles and power lines. You’d be surprised how often small animals like rats and squirrels chew through wiring. Even large animals can pose a threat, with incidences of bears interfering with electrical equipment. For example, in June 2021, a bear cub got stuck in the power lines atop a power pole in Arizona, requiring a complete local electricity shutoff until the bear climbed down safely.
• Natural Disasters: Another extremely typical cause of power outages is natural disasters. Because of the common association between the two, if you know a natural disaster is incoming or has just occurred, you may also expect to lose power for some time. This awareness and understanding can help you prepare and respond appropriately.

Preparing for the Next Power Outage

Outages are often random occurrences that you can’t plan for. All you can do is plan ahead, check your supplies, and update your plan regularly to empower yourself with everything you need whenever they do happen.

Here’s what to do to cover all your bases for the next power outage (because, let’s be honest, there will be a next time).

Emergency Supply Kit

• Water and Storage: Your household should have at least one gallon of drinking water per person per day, plus extra water for pets and hygiene.
• Water Purification Tablets – If you have access to water that’s not clean enough to drink, water purification tablets can help remove toxins and expand your access to drinking water.
• Water Storage Containers – If you are purifying your own water, you’ll need proper containers to store it in.
• Food – Non-perishable foods, enough for each person in your household for at least five days. Be sure also to include a can opener if packing canned goods.
• Body Warmers – hot hands, emergency blankets, etc.
• Blankets – Layer up with cozy blankets, especially for winter outages.
• A Few Changes of Clean Clothes
• Rain Coverage – Pancho, umbrella, etc.
• Plates, Cups, Utensils
• Battery-Powered Flashlights or Lanterns – Ensure you have enough extra batteries to replenish these devices, as you’ll likely use them for several hours daily.
• Emergency Radio – Hand-crank or emergency battery-powered radio for updates.
• Gloves – Winter gloves and work gloves.
• Duct Tape
• Refrigeration – A portable refrigerator like the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator or a large cooler can help keep essential foods and medications fresh.
• First Aid Kit – Essentials like bandaids, antibiotic ointment, alcohol wipes, etc.
• Hygiene Supplies – Feminine hygiene, toilet paper, trash bags, etc.
• Medication – Any prescription or OTC medications your family relies on
• Entertainment – Books, games, puzzles, cards, etc.
• Backup Power Supply – This can save you during blackouts. A small and quick option for personal devices is a power bank, which can recharge a phone a few times to keep you connected. Another option is a backup battery or portable power station, such as EcoFlow Portable Power Stations. The EcoFlow DELTA Series Portable Power Stations, like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3, can stay charged for any occasion and provide hours or days of sustainable energy. 
• Suppose you want something that can last even longer, opt for a solar generator, which can recharge using sunlight even during extended outages. EcoFlow DELTA Series Solar Generators are excellent portable home emergency power supplies you can set up in your yard and use indoors during your outage.

Evacuation Plan

Once your supplies are packed and ready to go, it’s time to develop your evacuation plan. Evacuating won’t always be necessary, but there may be reasons to leave during an outage. These could include dangerous fallen power lines, extreme weather events, or other unexpected circumstances you should always be prepared for. 

First, identify where your family will find shelter. Choose a relative or friend that lives outside your area where it will likely be safe. This person may also be a good emergency contact for any family members who become separated.

Another possible element you may want to consider preparing is a “bug-out bag” or go-bag, which is a portable and pre-packed bag holding everything your family would need for three days. Think clothing, toiletries, blankets, pillows, non-perishable food, water, and vital documents like passports, health insurance coverage plans, social security cards, etc.

Vehicle Preparation 

If you often experience outages caused by flash flooding or extreme weather, you should always keep your vehicle filled with gas and well-maintained in case you need to evacuate quickly. Consider storing extra gas at your home if gas stations are inaccessible or inoperable.

Alerts

Weather alerts are critical during outages to ensure you’re aware of weather threats and know when things will clear up. Sign up for alerts through a local weather station or app.

Other helpful alerts are utility company alerts. You can usually sign up for text alerts or phone calls to learn the estimated power restoration time or even get a heads-up about planned outages or rolling blackouts.

What To Do During the Next Power Outage

Now that you’re thoroughly prepared with a well-stocked kit and essential planning, here’s exactly what to do the next time you find yourself without power.

1. Ensure your household’s safety. Find each family member and gather them in one central room to hand out lights and other emergency essentials. Use a cellphone flashlight to navigate safely until you can access flashlights or lanterns.
2. Get your emergency kit. You packed this kit for a reason. Now is the time to utilize it. Ensure your flashlights are working, or replace the batteries if necessary. If it’s still light out, set up your battery-powered lighting where it will be the most useful once night comes. Don’t use your emergency lights until needed.
3. If possible, pinpoint the cause. Unless the outage has an apparent cause, check your circuit breakers to ensure they’re in the proper position. You can also turn your breakers off and back on to see if that triggers the power to return. If that brings you no luck, use cellphone data to check your utility company’s website and confirm the outage in your area. They may also provide an estimated time of restoration.
4. Report the outage. If the outage has not been reported, call your utility company to ensure they’re aware of the problem. The sooner they know about it, the faster they can dispatch a repair team and restore electricity.
5. Unplug all appliances and electronic devices to avoid a potentially damaging surge when the power returns. Leave one light plugged in so you know when the electric grid is back on.
6. Keep the fridge closed. Only open your refrigerator if absolutely necessary. An unopened refrigerator can maintain cold food for ~4 hours, while an unopened freezer can keep foods frozen for up to 48 hours. The more you open the doors, the quicker your refrigerator will lose its cool temperature, and the quicker your food will spoil.  
7. Do a last-minute stock-up. If you can act quickly and get there safely, consider running to a grocery store, convenience store, or gas station to stock up on essentials like ice, gas, batteries, and drinking water while supplies are available. Bring cash because credit card machines may be down if the stores don’t have electricity.
8. Transfer important perishables to coolers. If you’re nearing four hours without electric service, consider moving vital perishable goods to coolers filled with ice. As long as the cooler temperatures are under 40ºF, you can keep the foods fresh for a while.
9. Check-in on neighbors and loved ones. If you have vulnerable neighbors, such as elderly or disabled folks, call or stop by to ensure they’re okay and offer help if needed. Contact local family members and friends to see if anyone else needs assistance.
10. Connect to your backup power supply. Now is the time to connect your personal electronics and most essential appliances to your home energy security solution. If you have a gas generator, run it outside and several feet away from windows. If you have a solar generator, your panels will need access to sunlight, but the battery portion is safe to remain indoors.
11. Check food for safety before eating. If you decide to eat some of your perishable food to avoid spoiling before you can consume it, double-check for food safety before you eat anything. If it was exposed to temperatures above 40ºF, there’s a chance it may carry disease and other bacteria. Additionally, if there’s a strong odor or an unappealing gray tone to any food, immediately toss it in the trash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Power outages are never a welcomed surprise, but they can become much more bearable, comfortable, and safe with proper preparation and planning. Use this comprehensive guide to stock up on emergency supplies like food, water, flashlights, and home energy security solutions like EcoFlow Portable Power Stations. 

Then, follow our recommendations for what to do and how to keep your family safe throughout the blackout. Stay safe.