Tips on How to Prepare for a Power Outage - from the American Red Cross

3/4/2014 (Permalink)

Power Outage - Prepare BEFORE they happen!

How Do I Prepare for a Power Outage?

To help preserve your food, keep the following supplies in your home:

 One or more coolers—Inexpensive

Styrofoam coolers work well.

 Ice—Surrounding your food with ice in a

cooler or in the refrigerator will keep food

colder for a longer period of time during a

prolonged power outage.

 A digital quick-response thermometer—

With these thermometers you can quickly

check the internal temperatures of food to

ensure they are cold enough to use safely.

Put together an emergency

preparedness kit with these supplies

in case of a prolonged or widespread

power outage:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-

day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for

home) • Food—non-perishable, easy-toprepare

items (3-day supply for evacuation,

2-week supply for home) • Flashlight

(NOTE: Do not use candles during a power

outage due to the extreme risk of fire.) •

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA

Weather Radio, if possible) • Extra batteries

• First aid kit • Medications (7-day supply)

and medical items • Multi-purpose tool •

Sanitation and personal hygiene items •

Copies of personal documents (medication

list and pertinent medical information,

deed/lease to home, birth certificates,

insurance policies) • Cell phone with

chargers • Family and emergency contact

information • Extra cash

 If someone in your home is dependent on

electric-powered, life-sustaining

equipment, remember to include backup

power in your evacuation plan.

 Keep a non-cordless telephone in your

home. It is likely to work even when the

power is out.

 Keep your car’s gas tank full.