The core of power outage preparation is an emergency kit with light, water and non-perishable food; a plan for keeping the refrigerator and freezer cold; and protecting sensitive electronics from the power surge that can happen when power returns. Most of what actually matters is decided before the outage happens, not during it.
Build a basic emergency kit
FEMA recommends assembling supplies for at least 72 hours, though outages from major storms can run a week or longer in some areas. A basic kit covers:
- Flashlights (not candles, where avoidable — fewer fire risks) and extra batteries
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio for emergency broadcasts
- Bottled water and non-perishable food that needs no cooking
- A charged backup battery pack for phones
- Any essential medical supplies or medications
- Blankets and weather-appropriate extra clothing
Protect electronics and appliances before an outage
When utility power is restored after an outage, it can arrive as a brief surge rather than a clean, steady supply. Unplugging sensitive electronics, or at minimum ensuring they are on a surge protector, protects them from this restoration surge — a step worth taking as soon as you know an outage is likely (an approaching storm), not only after the power has already gone out.
Plan for the refrigerator and freezer
- Keep a thermometer in both compartments
The only reliable way to know food is still at a safe temperature after an extended outage, rather than guessing based on how cold the air feels.
- Keep the doors closed as much as possible
A full freezer stays safely cold for about 48 hours if left unopened; a half-full freezer for roughly 24.
- Have ice or ice packs ready in advance
Placing bagged ice in the refrigerator section can meaningfully extend how long food stays cold once power is out.
- After power returns, check temperature before eating anything perishable
Discard any perishable food that was above 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours.
Safety equipment
Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level of the home and near sleeping areas, if not already in place — these are exactly the safety devices that stop working silently during a power outage unless they have their own backup power.
If you have (or are considering) a generator
Portable generators must run outdoors, at least 20 feet from any window, door or garage opening, due to carbon monoxide risk. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for safe operation and fuel storage, and never connect a generator directly to household wiring without a properly installed transfer switch.
During the outage
Turn off and unplug non-essential electrical equipment, particularly sensitive electronics, to reduce both surge risk and the load your circuits need to handle the moment power is restored. If using a generator, camp stove or grill for heat or cooking, keep it outdoors only — never inside the home or garage, even with doors open.
When power comes back
Check refrigerator and freezer temperatures before assuming food is still safe, and reset appliances one at a time rather than all at once, which reduces the load spike on the circuit as everything restarts simultaneously. Restock any emergency supplies you used before the next outage.
Frequently asked questions
How long does food actually stay safe in a powered-off refrigerator?
A refrigerator (not freezer) generally keeps food safely cold for about 4 hours if the door stays closed. Beyond that, perishable items should be treated as unsafe unless you have supplemented with ice.
Is it worth investing in a whole-home backup generator?
That depends on how often your area experiences extended outages and your budget — a portable generator plus the safety practices above covers most short-term needs for many households, while a whole-home system is a larger investment better suited to areas with frequent, multi-day outages.
