These Are the Essentials You Should Always Have at Home In Case of a Power Outage

No electricity means no light after the sun goes down. This lantern doesn’t require batteries or a plug, and it can be charged either by cranking the handle or setting it out in the sun for a bit. You can use it as a flashlight (there’s a smaller light on top) or as a classic lantern to light a room. There’s also a USB outlet built into the light, so you can easily charge a phone or tablet, too.

When temperatures soar and everyone cranks up the AC, it can actually overload the grid and cause power outages. Not having a way to cool yourself down during a heat wave is dangerous and uncomfortable. Having something like this portable air conditioner will ensure you and your family have a way to (literally) chill out. This one doesn’t use a ton of electricity, so you can easily hook it up to a generator or portable charging station if you didn’t have time to charge it beforehand.

We realize not everyone will have access to power during an outage, though, so it’s always best to have analog cooling options on-hand, too. These cooling towels just need water to function. They work by using evaporation to cool you down — as the water evaporates from the towel, it increases airflow and feels cool to the touch. For relief from heat, simply place one around your neck or wipe it on your pulse points for a cooling sensation.

This one is pricey, but you’ll be grateful to have it if you end up losing power for multiple days. In lieu of buying a generator, you can actually get a large rechargeable power bank that can power your essential devices (like your phone, laptop, lamps, toaster ovens, etc.). While you can charge the bank by plugging it into an outlet when you have power, you can also charge it using your car battery (by plugging it into the cigarette lighter), or by buying solar panels to charge the bank.

Blankets seem like a pretty self-explanatory essential to have in any kind of emergency situation, but when the power is out, they’re especially necessary. They will keep you warm if the heat isn’t on, or you can use them to block out sun if you’re experiencing a summer power outage. When you’re not using it during an outage, you can take it out for picnics, camping, or beach days.

It’s easy to plan to eat all of the perishable foods from the fridge first, but after that, be sure to have some dry or canned goods to eat, too. Things like macaroni and cheese are super easy to make (if you have access to hot water), but items like beans, soups, or canned veggies are great to keep on hand, too.

That being said, if you can, preserve as much of your perishable food as possible. Your fridge won’t work when the power is out, so adding your food to a cooler with ice is the next best thing. You can keep food in the fridge, but try not to open the door often or else you’ll let out the cool air inside. Until the power comes back on, you can buy new food and store it in the cooler if need be.

If you’re always on the hunt for a band-aid, it’s probably time to create a designated first aid kit. This premade kit comes with the basics like bandages and antibiotic ointment, but it also has tools like a thermometer, scissors, tweezers, and more. There are packs of medications and splints for smaller injuries, too. It all comes in a neat pack that you can easily stow in a bathroom drawer.

Sometimes the water will still work if the power is out, but there’s no such thing as too much water. It never expires and you’ll need it both for cooking and drinking, and not to mention for things like brushing teeth and washing hands as well. A large jug with a spout makes it easy to fill cups and bottles or wash hands under a steady stream.

An all-purpose soap can be used to wash both hands and dishes in a pinch. You likely have an extra bottle of either dish soap or hand soap somewhere at home already, but we also like these dissolvable hand soap sheets. They’re small and easy to store, plus the sheets are pre-portioned for you, so you always know how much you have left.

If you’re indoors while the power is off, the air can feel stagnant and stuffy pretty quickly. Have a battery-powered fan nearby to keep air moving around. It’s also necessary for warmer climates, especially if you lose air conditioning on an extra hot day.

At the bare minimum, you should keep your phone charged to stay in touch with loved ones and stay up to date on the news in your area regarding a power outage. This phone charger is solar-powered, so there’s no need to plug it in or remember to have it charged before an emergency strikes. Simply set it in the sun and let it do its thing. 

Chances are you aren’t making a fire to cook your food every night if you can’t use your stove or oven. Having a portable stove will allow you to easily boil water and cook food without the use of electricity. Of course, you will need to have butane on hand to fuel the burner, but that’s something you can easily keep stored in a basement or pantry before the power goes out.

In most emergencies, cell towers tend to go down. Ensure you have a way to communicate with the outside world and call 911 if need be by keeping a landline in your home. Digital landline phones do need to be charged, but they will often have battery life hours after the power has gone out. They use the same infrastructure as broadband internet and cable TV, so they can actually still work, even if cell towers are down.