Preparedness category
Power outage preparedness
Prepare for loss of lighting, communications, refrigeration, medical-device power, and safe temperature control.
Use this general checklist as a starting point, then follow instructions from local authorities, utilities, clinicians, and emergency services for the situation in front of you.
Prepare before a disruption
- List essentials that depend on electricity, including communications and medically necessary equipment.
- Keep flashlights and manufacturer-approved backup charging options where they are easy to find.
- Learn how to use generators safely outdoors and away from openings; never use combustion equipment in an enclosed space.
- During an outage, use official utility and local emergency information rather than assuming a restoration time.
Make the plan usable
- Assign responsibilities and make sure every household member can find the plan and supplies.
- Account for disability, language, transportation, age, dietary, and caregiving needs.
- Review supplies and contact information periodically and replace expired or damaged items.
When conditions change
Use current information from emergency officials and service providers. A general article cannot determine whether a particular building, route, food item, water source, or medical situation is safe.
- Act on evacuation, shelter, boil-water, fire, and other official instructions promptly.
- Call emergency services for immediate danger or a medical emergency.
Important: This public education does not provide a forecast, risk score, medical judgment, or private household recommendation.
Related PREPHAUS resources
Official sources
Source links are provided for provenance and current official instructions. No publication or retrieval date is asserted here.