If you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Don’t get left in the dark and go on a craze if there were to be a national power outage. Events like these can disrupt your daily life, and the worst part is that they could last hours, days, or even months (COVID-19 ringing a bell?).
Having the right items ready and on hand can put your mind at ease, as you will know that you are prepared, comfortable, and safe in the event of such an event.
Here are 10 crucial items to have prepared in the event of a national power outage and some bonus alternatives!
1. Flashlights and Extra Batteries
With a power outage, it is very important to be able to see where everything is and to prevent accidents. A working flashlight and extra batteries allow you to move safely in the dark. If you are looking for recommendations on which flashlight types to get, try LED flashlights.
They supply more light and also have a longer battery life! It would be best to have multiple flashlights ready for use in reachable places around your house. If you aren’t able to purchase these items or don’t have them on hand, another alternative would be using candles or a battery-operated lantern, but bear in mind that candles can be quite a fire hazard!
2. Bottled Water
It doesn’t matter how many emergency items you have stacked in your house if you don’t have stored clean drinking water. This is almost the most important item to have on hand! A power outage could likely affect the water treatment facilities or if getting the supply to your house means relying on electric pumps.
If you notice a national power outage due to an attack, you can immediately fill your bathtubs, sinks, and any available buckets. Stocking some water purification tablets would not be money wasted if you need drinking water from a river or dam, etc.
3. Non-Perishable Food
When there is no power, it naturally means there are no working refrigerators and freezers and no fresh foods! The best option would be stocking up on non-perishable items that do not require cooking or refrigeration. Here are some examples of what to buy: canned goods, granola bars, nut butter, dried fruits, and other shelf-stable items.
Also, remember to try not to open your refrigerator or freezer for no reason; the longer you can keep the cold in, the longer the food can stay fresh; it might be best to cook and eat those foods first if there is an option of cooking like using gas or fire for example. Here’s some food for thought: the FDA and CDC state that refrigerated food remains safe for up to 4 hours if the refrigerator door is closed, while a full freezer can keep food frozen for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full) under the same condition.
4. Manual Can Opener
This is not an item everyone would think of as a necessity when preparing for a power outage. However, it wouldn’t be very useful to have stacks of canned foods if you can’t open them! It is recommended that you look for ones with pull tabs when purchasing these canned foods.
If you find yourself stuck in a situation without a pull-tab canned food and also no manual can opener, you can use a sturdy knife to open it. Please keep in mind that this activity can be very dangerous and should be considered your last resort! If you must use this method, exercise extreme caution: place the can on a stable surface, work slowly, and keep your hands clear of the cutting edge.
5. First Aid Kit
Let’s face it: you are likelier to have an accident in the dark. So, having a well-stocked first aid kit readily available during a national power outage is crucial! I am not saying you should have it so stocked up that you have performed surgery (although it wouldn’t hurt if you could do so); you only need items that can address minor injuries and medical needs. A comprehensive kit should include bandages of various sizes, antiseptic wipes and ointments to prevent infection, sterile gauze, adhesive tape, scissors, tweezers, and disposable gloves to maintain hygiene.
Please also remember that if you or any family members use chronic medications, it would be a good idea to stock that up as a backup, too, so when you run out, you can rest assured in knowing there is a backup!
6. Portable Phone Charger
Staying in the loop during a power outage is very important regarding updates, so we must keep those phones charged for as long as possible (that is if the towers have a signal). Always keep your power bank fully charged, or ensure you can charge your device using your car.
If none of these are available, here are a few simple steps to ensure longevity for your battery: Turn off your non-essential apps, switch your phone to airplane mode, turn off background data, lower your screen brightness, and try to avoid using your phone for unimportant things like streaming videos and playing games. Another way to help if the towers lose signal is to download maps before so that they can be used offline and write down emergency contact details if the battery dies.
7. Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio
Having this item ready will allow you to receive news and/or emergency broadcasts if other communication methods fail. This helps avoid using your phone for updates, so the battery can last longer. It is recommended to purchase a radio that has several options for running on power.
The most common ways are with batteries, hand cranks, or solar power. Some radios even include a built-in power bank to charge your phone! If this type of radio isn’t readily available, you could always use your car radio or ask your neighbors if they have any information.
8. Blankets and Warm Clothing
If a blackout occurs during the winter, it means that electric heating systems will stop working. Indoor temperatures will start to drop rapidly, and you will need to maintain your body heat. The easiest way to stay warm is by using blankets, sleeping bags, and layering your clothing.
A thick blanket will trap your body heat, while the sleeping bag will keep it insulated. Also, make use of layering clothing (especially thermal clothing if possible); it will help to trap the cold air in between layers. Choose one room in the house that can be dedicated as a warm room and drape curtains, blankets, and towels wherever you can, even all over the floor.
9. Cash
ATMs and card readers might become unavailable during a power outage due to a lost signal or even for safety reasons, making your debit or credit card useless. This is why it is essential to keep cash on hand to purchase needed items, such as food, water, fuel, or even medicine!
Experts often suggest that $150-$200 in cash would be a good baseline in the U.S. to survive a 3-day emergency. This will only cover necessities. If you find yourself in a situation where no cash is available, you can consider trading items with your neighbors, friends, and family members for now.
10. Entertainment
Living in 2025, we rely heavily on electronic entertainment, such as watching TV, playing video games, and even using social media to pass the time. Boredom can begin very quickly during a power outage, and this is why we need to have some form of non-electrical entertainment on hand.
This will make it easier, especially when managing children and keeping them busy. A few examples could be stocking up on board games, books, and puzzles. You don’t necessarily have to purchase these items; you can also use some creativity to invent fun activities and tell stories (this would be a good time to work on those shadow hand figures).
