Quick facts
- Checklist covers
- Cash
- backup power
- water
- food
- lighting
- manual tools
- communication
- fuel
- cooking
- medical
- hygiene
- Power bank pick
- Anker 548, 60,000mAh, 60W and 27W USB-C ports
- Lantern pick
- Up to 1200 lumens, up to 80 hours on minimum, IPX6
- Flashlight pick
- 200 to 7000 lumens across seven brightness levels
- Radio pick
- AM, FM, shortwave, NOAA; battery, AA, solar and hand crank
Power outages can strike without warning, disrupting daily life and compromising safety. Whether caused by severe weather, grid failures, or unforeseen events, being prepared is important. Here’s a straightforward guide to the essential items you need to stay ready.
Essential Items for Extended Power Outages
Links to more details in this list...
During outages, ATMs and card readers may not work. Having cash ensures you can still buy supplies and essentials.
A solar generator, battery bank, inverter, or gas generator keeps essential devices and systems running when the grid fails. Gas generators run outside only, at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away, never in a garage. Keep a battery CO alarm inside.
- Choosing a Home Backup Power System
- Solar Power Basics
- Grab-and-Go Electronics: Faraday-Protected and Emergency Ready
Access to clean water is critical. Stock filters, purification tablets, and water storage containers to ensure you can find and treat water.
Canned goods, freeze-dried meals, and other non-perishable foods provide essential calories without needing refrigeration.
- Survival Foods (Understanding Storage, Lifespan, & Risk)
- Food Storage Essentials for Emergency Preparedness (on Amazon)
Lanterns, flashlights, and headlamps (plus spare batteries) allow you to operate safely when it’s dark.
Keep hand-crank radios, manual can openers, and basic repair tools ready to stay functional without electricity.
GMRS radios, hand-crank radios, Starlink, and satellite messengers help you stay informed and connected when the phone network is down.
- How to Communicate with NO Cell Service or Internet (GMRS Recommendations)
- Stay Connected When It Matters Most: Starlink Roam + Star-Batt for Preparedness and Off-Grid Survival
- Solis Go Hotspot & Power Bank: A Smart Addition to Your Emergency Kit
In extended blackouts, personal and home security becomes critical. Plan for self-defense and securing your property.
Store gasoline and diesel with stabilizer in approved containers, outside the living space and away from anything that sparks. Propane needs no stabilizer and keeps indefinitely in a sound cylinder stored outdoors. Backup fuel powers generators, stoves, and vehicles when supplies are scarce.
Use a propane stove, camp stove, wood stove, or grill to prepare food without relying on electricity. Camp stoves and grills get used outside. They make carbon monoxide, and using them indoors kills people every winter outage.
Have a stocked first aid kit and essential medications ready. Access to hospitals and pharmacies may be limited or delayed.
Wipes, soap, sanitizer, toilet paper, and waste disposal methods help maintain hygiene and prevent illness.
Full fuel tanks, bicycles, or other transport options allow you to move if vehicles or public transit are unavailable.
Printed Maps and Important Documents
Hard copies of key documents and detailed local maps ensure you have critical information even without digital access.
Blankets, sleeping bags, and backup heat sources keep you warm if the temperature drops and conventional heating fails.
Here are a few useful picks:
Rechargeable Battery to Charge Small Devices
The Anker 548 is a 60,000mAh (192Wh) power bank. This power bank not only supports solar panel charging for sustainable power anywhere but also features robust 60W and 27W USB-C ports that can swiftly charge your laptop and smartphone multiple times. With a powerful 60,000mAh battery, you can keep your devices running for extended periods, over 10 full device charges or continuous power to a 3W LED lamp for up to 42.3 hours. Safety is a priority with its built-in retractable light and an SOS button, ensuring you're prepared for any emergency.
Solar Adapter Cables
This cable connects seamlessly with a wide range of adapters such as DC7909, DC6530, DC5521, DC35135, Anderson, and XT60, making it a perfect match for various devices and solar panels. Its heavy-duty construction features durable copper wire in lengths of 110CM and options of 14AWG & 16AWG, ensuring reliability and longevity even under harsh outdoor conditions. Whether you're recharging portable generators, power stations, or integrating with lithium battery packs and solar generators, this cable’s multipurpose functionality makes it great for anyone building a resilient emergency preparedness system.
LED Lantern
Featuring up to 1200 lumens, this LED lantern provides bright area lighting. The light boasts an extended battery life of up to 80 hours on the minimum setting and can be quickly charged via USB-C, achieving 60% charge in just 1 hour and a full charge in 3.5 hours. Designed to be waterproof with an IPX6 rating, it ensures reliability in any weather condition. Additionally, this multi-functional light not only illuminates up to a 60 ft diameter area but also serves as a portable power bank to charge other devices, making it essential during power outages. With features like bug deterrence and device charging capability, it is perfect for a wide range of uses from camping and RVing to home improvement projects, ensuring you are always prepared for any disaster.
Body Wipes
Stay clean and refreshed even when traditional bathing isn't possible. These extra-large, ultra-thick, and textured wipes offer a thorough cleanse, making them an essential component of any emergency kit or outdoor adventure gear. Infused with aloe vera and vitamin E, they not only remove sweat and dirt effortlessly but also hydrate and nourish the skin, maintaining optimal hygiene in challenging conditions. Their versatility extends beyond personal care to include uses in first aid, underscoring their indispensability for preppers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Bright (7k lumen) Rechargeable Flashlight
Compact yet high-powered flashlight: perfect for emergency scenarios such as power outages, search and rescue, or outdoor activities like hunting. Despite its miniature size, this flashlight boasts dual-beam capabilities, offering both a broad flood and a focused throw to cater to different needs. It features a combination of 9 white LEDs capable of emitting between 200 to 7000 lumens across seven brightness levels, along with three RGB LEDs for various color lighting options. Its durable design incorporates a 270-degree wrapped silicone body surface for a comfortable, stable grip and includes a hidden lanyard hole, making it easy to carry and store. This flashlight is an indispensable tool for anyone serious about preparedness, blending ergonomic features with powerful lighting capabilities
Emergency Radio
Multi-functional emergency radio, designed to be an essential tool in any disaster preparedness kit. It offers a versatile range of frequencies, including AM, FM, shortwave, and NOAA weather bands, ensuring you can stay informed of crucial updates and alerts during any emergency. The radio features multiple power sources: a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, AA alkaline batteries, an integrated solar panel, and a hand-crank mechanism, providing unparalleled reliability and versatility in various situations. Additionally, it comes equipped with a powerful 3-LED flashlight with an emergency S.O.S. function, vital for visibility and signaling during unexpected events. The radio's durable, portable design with an IPX4 Splashproof rating makes it suitable for all environments, from daily use to harsh conditions. An efficient digital tuner with a clear display allows for easy station location and tuning, keeping you well-connected and informed at all times.
Fire Starter Arc Lighter
Prepare for any adventure or emergency with this weatherproof and wind-resistant lighter, designed to deliver unwavering performance even in the most challenging conditions. Featuring a powerful dual arc plasma beam, this lighter provides instant ignition for various materials, including dry leaves and wet wood, making it a versatile tool for both survivalists and outdoor enthusiasts. This lighter isn’t just a tool, it’s a safeguard, making it an indispensable part of your preparedness arsenal.
Stackable Water Storage Containers
Ensure a reliable water supply in any emergency with these high-quality, portable water storage containers. The containers are designed with flat bottoms and tops, allowing for efficient stacking and easy transportation, whether you're headed on a road trip or preparing for unforeseen events.
Small Propane Tank
Not only do these refillable cylinders save you money by eliminating the need to purchase disposable tanks, but they also offer a cost-effective solution for regular propane users. Ideal for inclusion in any emergency preparedness kit, these tanks provide a reliable and sustainable fuel source for heating and cooking in various survival scenarios, ensuring you remain prepared for any situation.
Propane Camping Stove
When the power goes out, maintaining the ability to prepare hot meals can make all the difference. This compact and powerful two-burner propane stove is an essential backup cooking solution for any emergency preparedness kit. Lightweight and portable, this stove is ready to go right out of the box; just connect it to a propane tank. It’s an invaluable resource for those unexpected power outages, ensuring you remain prepared and well-fed, whatever the circumstances.
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Questions this answers
Tap a question for the short answer.
What do I need for a long power outage?
Cover cash, a backup power source, water storage and purification, shelf-stable food, lighting with spare batteries, manual tools, backup communication, security, stored fuel, an alternative cooking method, medical and hygiene supplies, a transportation plan, printed maps and documents, and warmth such as blankets, sleeping bags, and backup heat.
What is the best power bank for a blackout?
My pick is the Anker 548 Power Bank. Its 60,000mAh battery gives over 10 full device charges or runs a 3W LED lamp for up to 42.3 hours. It has 60W and 27W USB-C ports, accepts solar panel charging, and includes a retractable light and an SOS button.
What is the best lantern for power outages?
I like a rechargeable LED lantern with up to 1200 lumens that lights up to a 60 ft diameter area. It runs up to 80 hours on the minimum setting, charges by USB-C to 60% in 1 hour and fully in 3.5 hours, is IPX6 waterproof, and can charge other devices.
Why should I keep cash for a power outage?
ATMs and card readers may not work while the grid is down. Cash on hand means you can still buy supplies and essentials during the outage.
How do I cook when the power is out?
Use a cooking method that needs no electricity: a propane stove, camp stove, wood stove, or grill. Camp stoves and grills get used outside. Propane needs no stabilizer and keeps indefinitely in a sound cylinder stored outdoors, so your stove keeps running when supplies are scarce.
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