Power outage

Food safety

1. Keep the doors shut. A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24. CDC
2. 40°F is the line. Keep a thermometer in the fridge and freezer. Throw out food that has been above 40°F or has thawed. CDC

Carbon monoxide

1. Never heat with a grill or stove. Don't use charcoal grills, camp stoves or a gas oven to heat your home, and never run a car in a garage. CDC
2. Generators stay outside, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. CDC
3. One CO alarm per floor, with battery backup. Red Cross

Medicine and medical devices

• List every device that needs power and every medicine that needs refrigeration, and plan backups with your doctor or supplier. If your home gets too hot or cold, or your device needs power, go somewhere that has it. Red Cross

During the outage

1. Unplug electronics to avoid damage from surges when power comes back. Red Cross
2. Keep the car's gas tank at least half full. Red Cross
3. Watch for cold stress. A body temperature below 95°F is a medical emergency. CDC
4. Check on your people. Stay in touch with the friends and neighbors in your support network and tell each other if you need help. Red Cross

The basic kit

Ready.gov's basic kit includes water (one gallon per person per day for several days), several days of food, a battery or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, a manual can opener, local maps, and a phone with chargers and a backup battery. Ready.gov NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings around the clock from more than 1,000 transmitters. NWS

Sources checked November 8, 2026. This guide summarizes official advice and isn't a substitute for instructions from local emergency officials.