Emergency Supplies Power Outage Kit — How to Build One

Building your emergency supplies for a power outage takes 1 to 2 hours and covers six categories: water, food, lighting, first aid, communication, and backup power. The average U.S. household experienced over 5 hours of power interruption in 2022, but major storms knock power out for 7 to 10 days. Every supply listed here scales per person, per day — so a four-person household stocks four times the baseline. This guide walks through exact quantities, seasonal adjustments, generator sizing, and the mistakes that leave people scrambling in the dark.

What Do You Need to Stock Up on Before a Power Outage?

A complete power outage survival kit requires six supply categories: water, non-perishable food, lighting, first aid, communication tools, and a backup power source. Each category addresses a distinct survival dependency — hydration, nutrition, visibility, medical care, information access, and electricity for critical appliances.

What Food and Water Supplies Do You Need Per Person?

Store 1 gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of 3 days. FEMA sets this as the baseline, but plan for 7 to 10 days if the property sits in a region prone to hurricanes, ice storms, or flooding. A four-person household needs 28 to 40 gallons for the extended scenario.

• Canned vegetables, beans, and fruit — minimum 2,000 calories per person per day
• Peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, and dried fruit for calorie-dense snacking
• Manual can opener — electric openers fail without power
• Infant formula or specialty dietary items if any household member requires them

Which First Aid and Medical Items Belong in a Power Outage Survival Kit?

A basic first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any prescription medications covers the medical baseline. Medication-dependent household members require a 7-day emergency medication supply stored in the kit. Keep a written list of all prescriptions, dosages, and prescribing physicians alongside the medications.

• Adhesive bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, and antiseptic wipes
• Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and antihistamines
• 7-day supply of all prescription medications, rotated monthly

What Lighting and Communication Tools Are Essential?

Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlights, a battery-powered AM/FM radio, and extra batteries form the lighting and communication core. LED lanterns provide ambient light for work areas. A hand-crank or solar-powered radio receives NOAA weather alerts when cell towers lose power.

• 2 LED flashlights per household member with spare batteries
• 1 battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio
• Battery-powered or solar phone charger rated at 10,000 mAh minimum

Shop Generators for This Job

These 10 picks from our generators range cover the equipment this job calls for. Check each product's specs against your machine and job before ordering. Browse all generators.

9,500 Watt Portable Generator | Dual Fuel | 420cc Engine | Electric Start | Powerhorse$800Dual Fuel Generator | 8000 Surge Watt | Electric Start | Inverter Technology | Powerhorse$1,400Generator for Portable Power | 15,000 Surge Watts | Dual Fuel | Electric Start | 713cc Engine | Powerhorse$2,200Generator 23kW | VanGuard | 480V for Construction Equipment | Dual-Phase Capability | Briggs & Stratton Engine | Compact Design | Makinex$19,997Generator for Job Site | 32kW | Honda Engine | 480V | Dual Phase | Makinex$23,997Inverter Generator | 2500 Surge Watts | 52dB Quiet | Recoil Start | Powerhorse$580Inverter Generator | 5000W Surge | Dual Fuel | Gas and Propane | Electric Start | 224cc Engine | Powerhorse$1,000Makinex Portable Generator for Job Site | 16kW | Honda GX690 | 240V USA-Spec | Dual Phase | Makinex$10,797Portable Power Station for Job Sites | 15kWh Battery | 6kW Output | Clean Energy | Makinex$19,997Tri-Fuel Generator for Contractors | 12,500 Surge Watts | Electric Start | Gasoline, Propane & Natural Gas | Powerhorse$1,100

How Do You Keep Food Safe During a Power Outage?

Food safety during a power outage depends on two temperature thresholds and strict door-opening discipline. Refrigerated food remains safe at or below 40°F. Frozen food remains safe at or below 0°F. Every door opening accelerates temperature rise inside the appliance.

How Long Do Refrigerated and Frozen Foods Last Without Power?

A closed refrigerator holds safe temperature for approximately 4 hours. A full freezer maintains 0°F or below for roughly 48 hours. A half-full freezer holds safe temperature for only 24 hours. Group frozen items together to increase thermal mass and extend the safe window.

Discard any perishable food that rises above 40°F for more than 2 hours. Use an appliance thermometer placed inside the refrigerator and freezer before the outage begins. This removes guesswork from the discard decision after power returns.

What Non-Perishable Foods Are Best to Keep on Hand?

Canned proteins, dried grains, and shelf-stable milk provide the broadest nutritional coverage without refrigeration. Rotate stock every 6 to 12 months to prevent expiration. Store all items in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.

• Canned tuna, chicken, and beans — 12 to 24 cans per household
• Rice, oats, and pasta — 5 to 10 pounds per household
• Shelf-stable milk or powdered milk — 1 gallon equivalent per person

How Do You Get Emergency Supplies for Power Outage Backup Electricity?

Restoring electricity during an outage involves three backup power options: portable generators, battery power stations, and solar chargers. Each option serves a different load capacity and runtime requirement. The right choice depends on wattage demand and expected outage duration.

When Is a Portable Generator the Right Backup Power Source?

A portable generator is the right backup power source when the outage exceeds 4 hours and the load includes a refrigerator, sump pump, or well pump. Battery packs and solar chargers cannot sustain these appliances for extended periods. A generator rated at 3,000 to 5,000 watts runs a refrigerator, sump pump, lights, and phone chargers simultaneously.

Fuel type determines runtime and availability. Gasoline-powered generators require stored fuel rotated every 3 to 6 months. Dual-fuel models accept propane, which stores indefinitely. Keep a minimum of 10 gallons of fuel on hand for 24 to 48 hours of intermittent operation. Browse Generators rated for residential and jobsite backup when evaluating wattage and fuel options.

How Do Battery Packs and Solar Chargers Compare to Generators?

Battery power stations and solar chargers work for low-draw devices — phones, radios, LED lights, and laptops. A 1,000-watt-hour battery station runs a phone charger and LED lantern for approximately 40 to 60 hours. Solar panels recharge the station during daylight but produce zero output at night or in heavy overcast.

Battery stations cannot run high-draw appliances. A standard refrigerator draws 100 to 400 watts continuously. A sump pump draws 800 to 1,500 watts at startup. These loads drain most battery stations within 2 to 6 hours.

What Size Generator Do You Need for Basic Home Circuits?

A 3,000 to 5,000 watt generator covers the basic emergency circuit load for most households. Add the running wattage of each appliance to determine the minimum continuous output. Add the highest starting wattage among those appliances to determine the peak surge requirement.

• Refrigerator: 100 to 400 watts running, 1,200 watts starting
• Sump pump: 800 watts running, 1,500 watts starting
• 5 LED lights: 50 watts total running
• Phone and laptop chargers: 60 to 100 watts total running

What Safety Practices Apply to Emergency Supplies for Power Outage Preparedness?

Power outage safety requires four controls: carbon monoxide prevention, surge protection, food temperature monitoring, and seasonal hazard awareness. Each control prevents a specific fatality risk or property damage scenario.

What Are the Critical Generator Safety Requirements?

Carbon monoxide from portable generators kills approximately 70 people per year in the United States. Never operate a generator indoors, in a garage, in a basement, or in any enclosed or partially enclosed space. Position the generator at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents with the exhaust pointing away from the structure.

• Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of the home
• Never refuel a generator while the engine runs — shut down and allow 5 minutes of cooling first
• Connect appliances directly to the generator with heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use — never backfeed into a wall outlet

What Steps Protect Appliances and Electronics from Surge Damage?

Unplug sensitive electronics — computers, televisions, routers — as soon as the outage begins. Power restoration often produces voltage spikes that damage circuitry. Use surge protectors rated at 2,000 joules or higher on all electronics when power returns.

Leave one light switch in the "on" position. This light serves as the visual indicator that grid power has returned. Turn breakers back on one at a time to avoid overloading the panel during restoration.

How Do You Adjust Your Power Outage Survival Kit by Season?

Winter outages demand heat-retention supplies; summer outages demand hydration and cooling supplies. Failing to adjust for season creates exposure risks that a standard kit does not address.

• Winter: extra wool blankets, insulated sleeping bags, hand warmers, and a camp stove with fuel
• Summer: oral rehydration salts, battery-operated fans, shade tarps, and extra water beyond the 1-gallon-per-day baseline
• All seasons: weather-appropriate clothing layers stored in the kit

How Do You Maintain Emergency Supplies for Power Outage Readiness?

Maintaining an emergency power outage kit involves four recurring tasks: supply rotation, battery testing, fuel cycling, and equipment inspection. Skipping any task results in expired food, dead batteries, or stale fuel at the worst possible moment.

What Post-Outage Maintenance Steps Keep the Kit Ready?

Replace any supplies consumed during the outage within 48 hours of power restoration. Drain and refill water containers every 6 months. Replace stored gasoline every 3 to 6 months or add fuel stabilizer at the manufacturer's recommended ratio. Recharge all battery packs and power stations to full capacity.

How Often Do You Inspect and Rotate Emergency Supplies?

Inspect the full kit every 6 months — once before storm season and once after. Check expiration dates on all food, water, and medications. Test every flashlight and radio. Run the generator for 15 to 30 minutes under load to confirm starting reliability and fuel system function. Log each inspection date on a card stored inside the kit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Supplies for Power Outages

The most common emergency supplies power outage questions cover water storage quantities, household systems, breaker management, immediate actions, and device charging. The answers below resolve each with specific numbers and steps.

How Much Water Do You Store Per Person for a Power Outage?

Store 1 gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of 3 days — 7 to 10 days in storm-prone regions.

A four-person household preparing for a 10-day outage needs 40 gallons. Use food-grade water containers rated for long-term storage. Commercially bottled water carries a shelf life of 1 to 2 years. Refill and rotate reusable containers every 6 months. Account for pets — dogs and cats require approximately 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day.

Can You Flush Toilets During a Power Outage?

Gravity-fed toilets flush normally during a power outage as long as the municipal water supply remains pressurized.

Homes on well water lose flushing capability because the well pump requires electricity. In this case, pour 1 to 2 gallons of water directly into the toilet bowl to force a manual flush. Keep several gallons of non-potable water reserved for this purpose. Homes on septic systems function normally — the septic tank operates by gravity, not electricity.

Do You Turn Off the Breaker During a Power Outage?

Turn off individual breakers for sensitive electronics and large appliances but leave the main breaker on.

Turning off individual circuits protects equipment from voltage surges when power restores. Leave the main breaker on so the utility company can confirm service restoration to the property. Leave one light switch in the "on" position as a visual power-return indicator. After power returns, turn breakers back on one at a time with 30-second intervals to prevent a load spike.

What Is the First Thing to Do When the Power Goes Out?

Check whether the outage affects the entire neighborhood or only the property — look for streetlights and neighboring house lights.

A property-only outage indicates a tripped breaker or downed service line. A neighborhood-wide outage indicates a grid failure. Report the outage to the local utility. Unplug sensitive electronics. Open the refrigerator and freezer as few times as possible. Activate the emergency kit and set up lighting in the primary living area. Check on medication-dependent household members immediately.

How Do You Charge a Phone With No Electricity?

Charge a phone using a portable battery pack, a hand-crank charger, a solar panel, or a vehicle's USB port.

A 10,000 mAh battery pack provides 2 to 3 full smartphone charges. A hand-crank charger produces approximately 1% battery per minute of cranking. A 20-watt solar panel charges a phone in 2 to 3 hours of direct sunlight. A running vehicle charges a phone through the cigarette lighter or USB port — leave the engine running to avoid draining the vehicle battery.