Power Outage Preparedness Checklist

The complete power outage checklist — first 10 minutes, first 24 hours, days 1-3, beyond 72 hours, and recovery when power returns. 5 phases, pro tips that save lives, field-ready.

VERSION v2026.04

PAGES 8

FORMAT Printable

01 ⚡

FIRST 10 MINUTES

Immediate response
02 🕐

HOURS 1-24

Settle in, conserve, monitor
03 🌒

DAYS 1-3

Sustain + conserve
04 📅

BEYOND 72 HOURS

If the grid stays down
05 💡

WHEN POWER RETURNS

Restart and recover

QUICK REFERENCE

The Rule of 3s

3 min

without air — airway is priority #1

3 hrs

without shelter in harsh weather

3 days

without water — this checklist covers it

3 weeks

without food — buys time to reach help

☐ Unplug sensitive electronics (computers, TVs) to protect from surges
☐ Turn off air conditioning or large heating loads
☐ Check if outage is local (just you) or area-wide — call utility or check neighbors
☐ Locate flashlights, headlamps, battery radio — do NOT use candles
☐ Check on household members and confirm everyone is accounted for
☐ Do NOT open the fridge or freezer unless absolutely necessary
☐ Check that your generator (if any) is fueled, ready, and OUTSIDE
☐ Test the backup phone/radio with fresh batteries
☐ Establish communication: who will update family/friends?
☐ If you or a household member is medically dependent on power: call utility NOW and report

☐ Eat perishables first: fridge → freezer → pantry
☐ A closed fridge holds ~4 hours, a closed freezer 24-48 hours
☐ Fill water containers BEFORE pumps lose backup (municipal pumps often fail within hours)
☐ Listen to NOAA weather radio + local news for updates → Buy
☐ Winter: seal off one room for body heat, close off the rest
☐ Summer: open windows at night, close + cover during the day
☐ Charge power banks from vehicle if needed (engine idling with inverter)
☐ Use text messages, not voice calls (better network in overloaded conditions)
☐ Ration battery use: airplane mode + check-in texts only
☐ If grid restoration ETA is over 24 hours, start longer-term conservation plan

☐ Shift to shelf-stable food as perishables run low
☐ Cook on camp stove OUTDOORS only — never indoors → Buy
☐ Sanitation: use stored water for flushing, greywater catches for toilets
☐ Keep one device charged for emergencies — rotate, do not drain all at once
☐ Winter: layer clothing, eat calorie-dense meals frequently, stay dry
☐ Summer: hydrate aggressively, rest during peak heat, wet towels for cooling
☐ Check on elderly and medically dependent neighbors
☐ Keep a record: what's gone, what's left, what you need from the store when it reopens
☐ If a family member depends on CPAP, oxygen, or a medical device: have a battery + escalation plan
☐ Do NOT use gas stoves or ovens to heat the house (CO risk is severe)

☐ Inventory remaining food, water, fuel, medications
☐ Start rationing — divide remaining supplies by days remaining + safety margin
☐ Source additional water: rain collection, creeks, hot-water-heater tank (disconnect first)
☐ Consider temporary relocation if you have family or friends with power
☐ Medical: refill prescriptions via emergency delivery if pharmacies are open
☐ Check local shelters, warming centers, cooling centers via NOAA radio
☐ Keep phones charged via vehicle inverter, solar panel, or hand-crank radio
☐ Beware of scammers offering generators, water, food at inflated prices post-disaster
☐ Document everything for insurance: photos of spoiled food, hotel receipts, gas receipts
☐ Stay calm — most extended outages resolve within a week, many within 48 hours

☐ Plug electronics back in ONE AT A TIME (prevent surge damage)
☐ Reset GFCI outlets, check circuit breakers for trips
☐ Check fridge/freezer: when in doubt, throw it out
☐ Test smoke + CO detectors (replace batteries if needed)
☐ Reset clocks, thermostats, programmed devices
☐ Verify internet + cell service restored
☐ Refuel generator from rotating fuel supply
☐ Restock water, food, batteries used during the outage
☐ Document any damage (spoiled food, damaged electronics) for insurance
☐ Review: what worked, what failed, what to add to your kit

This free checklist covers the essentials. The Complete Prep Bundle covers everything after — scenario playbooks, 12 skill tracks, a diagnostic quiz, printable templates, and lifetime Premium access.

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📖 The FlintReady Field Manual (140+ pages)
📋 5 Printable Checklists
📓 4 Scenario Playbooks (Hurricane, Blackout, Water Cut, Vehicle)
🗂️ Family Plan + Pantry Rotation Templates
⭐ Premium Lifetime Access

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