What to Do When the Power Goes Out: A Step-by-Step Checklist

August 31, 2026

The lights suddenly go out.

Your television turns off. The refrigerator stops humming. The Wi-Fi disappears.

For a few seconds, you may assume the power will come back on immediately. But as the minutes pass, an important question begins to sink in:

What do I do now?

A power outage can be anything from a minor inconvenience to a serious emergency. A few hours without electricity is manageable for most families. But a widespread outage lasting days—or happening during extreme heat or cold—can affect food, water, communication, medical equipment, transportation, and your ability to stay safely in your home.

The key is knowing what to do first.

Use this step-by-step power outage checklist to guide your family through the first few minutes, the first few hours, and the days that follow.

What to Do When the Power Goes Out: The Quick Checklist

If the power goes out, follow these steps:

Determine whether the outage is limited to your home.
Check for immediate hazards.
Find safe lighting.
Unplug or turn off sensitive electronics.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
Check your phone and conserve battery power.
Find out what caused the outage and how widespread it is.
Check on family members and neighbors.
Determine how long you can safely stay home.
Start conserving food, water, fuel, and phone battery.

Now let's take a closer look at what to do during a power outage.

Step 1: Determine Whether the Power Is Out in Your Whole Area

Before assuming there is a widespread power outage, determine whether the problem is limited to your house.

Check:

Are your neighbors' lights on?
Are streetlights working?
Is the electrical panel or breaker the problem?
Is your utility company reporting an outage?

If your neighbors still have power, you may have a tripped breaker or another electrical issue inside your home.

If there is a damaged power line or electrical equipment outside, stay away from it and report the hazard to your utility company or emergency services.

Never touch or drive over downed power lines.

Step 2: Check for Immediate Dangers

A power outage may be caused by something as simple as equipment failure—or by a severe storm, wildfire, earthquake, hurricane, or other disaster.

Take a moment to check your immediate surroundings.

Ask:

Is anyone injured?
Is there a fire or smell of smoke?
Do you smell gas?
Is there damage to your home?
Are power lines down nearby?
Is the temperature dangerously hot or cold?
Is anyone dependent on powered medical equipment?

If the outage is connected to a larger disaster, follow emergency instructions from local authorities.

A power outage is not always just a power outage.

It may be one of many problems caused by the same emergency.

Step 3: Use Safe Lighting

Your first instinct may be to light a candle.

A safer option is to use:

Flashlights
Battery-powered lanterns
Headlamps

Place lighting where it can safely illuminate hallways, stairs, and bathrooms.

Headlamps are especially useful because they keep your hands free.

Avoid open flames whenever possible, especially if children or pets are present.

Candles can easily be knocked over, forgotten, or placed too close to flammable materials.

If you must use candles, never leave them unattended.

Your power outage kit should always include enough batteries for your flashlights and lanterns.

Step 4: Unplug Sensitive Electronics

A sudden return of power can sometimes cause a power surge.

Unplug sensitive electronics such as:

Computers
Televisions
Gaming systems
Chargers
Other valuable electronic equipment

You can leave one light switched on so you know when the electricity returns.

If you use a surge protector, that can provide additional protection for some electronics.

Step 5: Keep the Refrigerator and Freezer Closed

One of the most important things to do during a power outage is to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.

Every time you open the door, cold air escapes.

A refrigerator will generally keep food cold for about 4 hours if the door remains closed. A full freezer can generally maintain a safe temperature for about 48 hours, while a half-full freezer may maintain its temperature for about 24 hours.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible during an outage.

If you expect a long outage:

Group food together in the freezer.
Use coolers and ice if available.
Eat perishable food that will spoil first.
Do not repeatedly open the refrigerator to check your food.

When in doubt about whether food is safe, throw it out.

Step 6: Find Out How Long the Outage May Last

Use available information to determine what is happening.

Possible sources include:

A battery-powered radio
Your power company's outage information
Local emergency management agencies
Local news
Text alerts
Emergency notifications

Avoid draining your phone battery by repeatedly refreshing social media.

If your outage is widespread, cellular networks may also become congested.

Check for updates periodically instead.

Knowing whether the outage is expected to last two hours, two days, or two weeks will help you make better decisions about your food, water, batteries, fuel, and other supplies.

Step 7: Conserve Your Phone Battery

Your phone may become your most important communication tool during a power outage.

Immediately reduce unnecessary battery use.

You can:

Turn on low-power mode.
Lower screen brightness.
Close unnecessary apps.
Turn off Bluetooth if you don't need it.
Avoid streaming video.
Avoid using your phone for entertainment.
Send text messages instead of making long phone calls when possible.

Keep portable battery banks charged before an emergency.

Other options may include:

Car chargers
Solar chargers
Hand-crank chargers

If you are using a vehicle to charge devices, be aware of fuel levels and never run a vehicle in an enclosed space such as a garage.

Step 8: Check Your Water Situation

If you receive water from a public water system, you may still have running water during a power outage.

But that does not mean it will continue indefinitely.

Water systems often depend on electricity for:

Pumps
Treatment
Distribution

Fill clean containers while water is still available—unless local authorities issue a notice that your water is unsafe.

Prioritize:

Drinking water
Water for cooking
Water for hygiene

If you have warning before a storm or other event, fill containers and bathtubs in advance for sanitation purposes.

For a longer outage, begin using stored water and monitor local instructions regarding water safety.

A basic emergency preparedness recommendation is to store at least one gallon of water per person per day, although families with children, pets, medical needs, or hot conditions may need more. Start with a 3 day supply, build to a 2 week supply and then add more as you can.

Step 9: Take Care of Immediate Medical Needs

Power outages can become dangerous for people who rely on:

Oxygen concentrators
CPAP machines
Refrigerated medications
Mobility equipment
Other electricity-dependent medical devices

If someone in your household depends on powered medical equipment, you should have an emergency backup plan before an outage happens.

That may include:

Battery backups
Backup power
A place to relocate
A supply of medications
Emergency contacts

If the outage threatens a life-sustaining medical device, contact emergency services or follow the individual's emergency medical plan.

Step 10: Keep Your House at a Safe Temperature

Extreme temperatures can turn a power outage into a serious emergency.

During a winter power outage

Focus on:

Closing doors to unused rooms.
Blocking drafts.
Wearing layers.
Gathering the family in one room.
Using blankets and sleeping bags.
Using only safe, properly ventilated heat sources.

Never use:

A gas oven
A gas stove
A charcoal grill
A propane grill
A generator

to heat your home indoors.

These can create a deadly fire or carbon monoxide hazard.

During a summer power outage

Focus on:

Closing blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day.
Wearing lightweight clothing.
Drinking enough water.
Spending time in cooler areas.
Avoiding unnecessary physical activity.
Relocating to a cooling center if necessary.

Older adults, babies, young children, and people with certain medical conditions may be especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.

Step 11: Eat the Food That Will Spoil First

If the outage lasts longer than expected, you'll need to think strategically about your food.

A good rule is to eat food in this order:

First: Perishable food

Eat food that must remain refrigerated while it is still safe.

Examples may include:

Meat
Dairy products
Leftovers
Fresh produce

Next: Food that doesn't need refrigeration

Move on to foods such as:

Canned goods
Peanut butter
Crackers
Cereal
Shelf-stable milk
Freeze-dried food
Other pantry foods

Last: Your deeper emergency food supply

Try not to immediately open every long-term food storage container you own.

Use your food in an organized way and keep track of what you are consuming.

You may need to stretch your supplies if the outage continues longer than expected.

Step 12: Conserve Water

If you don't know how long the power outage will last, avoid wasting water.

Use water first for:

Drinking
Food preparation
Essential hygiene
Sanitation

Postpone unnecessary tasks such as laundry.

Use disposable dishes if you have them and water is limited.

If water stops flowing, you may need an emergency sanitation plan for toilets.

A five-gallon bucket, trash bags, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other sanitation supplies can be extremely useful during a prolonged outage.

Step 13: Cook Food Safely Without Electricity

If your stove is electric, you'll need another way to cook.

Depending on your situation, options may include:

A gas stove, if it is designed to operate without electricity and can be used safely according to the manufacturer's instructions
An outdoor grill
A camp stove used outdoors
A rocket stove used outdoors
A fire pit where permitted
Shelf-stable food that does not require cooking

Never use outdoor cooking equipment inside your house, garage, tent, or other enclosed space.

Carbon monoxide can kill quickly and has no smell.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for any cooking device.

Step 14: Check on Family and Neighbors

Once your immediate needs are handled, check on people who may need help.

Consider:

Older relatives
Neighbors who live alone
Families with babies
People with disabilities
Anyone dependent on powered medical equipment

A quick phone call, text message, or knock on the door may make a big difference.

Community matters during an emergency.

You don't have to solve every problem yourself, but knowing who needs help—and who has useful skills or supplies—can help a neighborhood recover more effectively.

Step 15: Decide Whether to Stay or Leave

A power outage does not always mean you need to evacuate.

But there are situations where staying home is no longer safe.

Consider leaving if:

Your home becomes dangerously cold.
Your home becomes dangerously hot.
Someone needs electricity-dependent medical equipment.
You have no safe access to drinking water.
Local authorities recommend evacuation.
Your home has been damaged.
A wildfire, flood, storm, or other hazard threatens the area.

Before leaving, make sure you know where you are going and whether the route is safe.

If roads are dangerous, follow instructions from emergency officials.

What to Do When the Power Goes Out at Night

A nighttime power outage can be especially disorienting.

Keep a flashlight or headlamp:

Next to your bed
In children's bedrooms
Near major exits
In your emergency kit

If you have children, reassure them and avoid allowing everyone to use their phone batteries as flashlights.

Gathering the family in one room can make everyone feel safer and reduce the need to light the entire house.

What to Do When the Power Comes Back On

When the electricity returns:

Turn off unnecessary lights.
Plug electronics back in gradually.
Check whether food is safe.
Check for damage.
Recharge phones and battery banks.
Restock any supplies you used.
Take notes about what you wish you had.

The last step is important.

Every emergency is a preparedness test.

Ask yourself:

Did we have enough light?
Did we have enough water?
Could we cook?
Were our phones charged?
Did we know what was happening?
Were we too cold or too hot?
Did we have enough food?
What did we use more quickly than expected?

Then improve your emergency supplies while the experience is still fresh.

Power Outage Checklist: What You Should Have Ready

You don't need a huge amount of expensive survival equipment to prepare for a power outage.

Start with the basics:

Lighting

Flashlights
Headlamps
Battery-powered lanterns
Spare batteries

Communication

Charged cell phones
Portable battery banks
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
List of important phone numbers

Food and Water

Stored drinking water
Nonperishable food
A manual can opener
Food that doesn't require cooking
An alternative way to cook

Temperature

Blankets
Sleeping bags
Warm clothing
Fans or battery-powered fans
Safe alternative heating or cooling plans

Sanitation

Toilet paper
Hand sanitizer
Trash bags
Wet wipes
An emergency toilet plan

Medical Needs

First-aid kit
Prescription medications
Backup power plans for medical equipment
Refrigerated medication plan

The Most Important Thing to Do Before the Power Goes Out

The best time to prepare for a power outage is before the lights go out.

You do not have to buy everything at once.

Start by answering a few simple questions:

How will we see?

How will we communicate?

How will we stay warm or cool?

How will we cook?

How much water do we have?

What will we do if the outage lasts longer than three days?

Every answer you figure out now is one less problem you have to solve during an emergency.

Final Thoughts: Don't Panic—Work the Problem

When the power goes out, take a deep breath.

You don't need to solve everything immediately.

Start with the most important priorities:

Stay safe.

Get light.

Protect your food.

Conserve your phone battery.

Check your water.

Find out how long the outage may last.

Adjust your plan as the situation develops.

A power outage can be inconvenient, frightening, or dangerous—but having a simple plan gives you something to do instead of wondering what comes next.

The goal of emergency preparedness isn't to predict exactly what will happen.

It's to be ready to handle the problems that come next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you do first when the power goes out?

First, determine whether the outage is limited to your home or affects your neighborhood. Check for immediate hazards, find safe lighting, keep the refrigerator and freezer closed, and find out what caused the outage.

How long is food safe during a power outage?

According to the USDA, refrigerated food can generally remain safe for about four hours if the refrigerator door remains closed. A full freezer can maintain its temperature for approximately 48 hours, while a half-full freezer can maintain its temperature for approximately 24 hours. Food safety depends on temperature, so use a thermometer when possible.

Should I unplug appliances when the power goes out?

Unplugging sensitive electronic equipment can help protect it from possible power surges when electricity returns. Leave one light turned on so you know when the power is restored.

Can you flush a toilet during a power outage?

If you receive water from a public water system and water pressure remains available, your toilet may continue working temporarily. However, if the water system loses pressure or your home relies on an electric well pump, you may eventually lose running water. Have an emergency sanitation plan for a prolonged outage.

How do I stay warm if the power goes out?

Close off unused rooms, block drafts, wear layers, use blankets and sleeping bags, and gather the family in a smaller room. Use only safe heating equipment designed for indoor use, and never use an oven, grill, generator, or outdoor stove to heat your home.