Short answer: the essentials are a plan for medicine and medical devices, charged phones and power banks, a way to keep food safe (a closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours, a full freezer about 48), and safe backup power. Generators must run outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.
Before the outage: a 30-minute checklist
- Medical needs first. FEMA advises making a plan for refrigerated medicine and powered medical devices. Ask your utility about medical-priority programs; many keep a list of customers who depend on equipment.
- Charge everything. Phones, laptops, power banks. Keep a car charger in the glove box.
- Light without flames. LED flashlights or lanterns and spare batteries. Avoid candles where possible.
- Water and food. A few days of shelf-stable food and water, plus a manual can opener.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and make sure they have battery backup.
- Know how to open your garage door manually (most have a release cord).
- Freeze water bottles to fill empty freezer space; a full freezer stays cold longer.
During the outage
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Per FoodSafety.gov: refrigerated food is safe for up to 4 hours; a full freezer holds about 48 hours (24 if half full).
- Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from surges when power returns. Leave one light on so you know when it’s back.
- Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven.
- If it gets dangerously hot or cold, go to a warming or cooling center or a friend’s home if it’s safe to travel.
Backup power options compared
| Option | Typical cost | Runs | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power bank / portable power station | $50-$2,000+ | Phones, lights, router, CPAP; fridge for hours with larger units | Limited capacity |
| Portable gas generator | Hundreds to a few thousand dollars | Fridge, sump pump, a few circuits | Carbon monoxide, fuel storage |
| Standby generator | $7,000-$11,000 installed for 17-20 kW | Most or all of the house, automatically | Upfront cost, maintenance |
| Home battery | About $13,500 installed for a 13.5 kWh Powerwall 3 | Essentials for a day or more; longer with solar | Capacity in long outages |
Standby generator prices from ThePricer (July 2026); battery price from EnergySage. For a deeper comparison, read home battery vs generator and what a portable power station can run.
Generator safety rules that save lives
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates about 100 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning linked to portable generators, as reported by U.S. PIRG.
- Outdoors only, never in a garage, basement, shed or under an open window. An open door is not enough.
- At least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, pointing exhaust away from the house.
- Working CO alarms on every floor.
- Never backfeed through a wall outlet. Use heavy-duty extension cords or have an electrician install a transfer switch or interlock.
- Let it cool before refueling.
After the power returns
- Check food with a thermometer; throw out perishables that sat above 40°F for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Plug electronics back in gradually.
- Restock batteries and refill fuel safely.
FAQ
Can my solar panels power my house in a blackout? Not on their own. Grid-tied systems shut off for safety unless you have a battery or a special inverter setup.
Can my EV power my house? A few models can with the right equipment. See vehicle-to-home, explained.