The first 24 hours of a power outage

When the power goes out, work through safety first, then food, then light and backup power. The steps below follow published federal guidance. They are written for an ordinary house, not a specialist setup.

1. Check on the household

Make sure everyone is accounted for and calm. If anyone depends on electric medical devices or on medicine that must stay cold, follow the plan you made with their clinician. Ready.gov recommends talking with a medical provider ahead of time about how long medicine can be stored at higher temperatures and how to keep power-dependent devices running.

2. Treat downed lines as live

Stay away from downed power lines and anything they are touching, including fences and puddles. Call your utility to report the line. If someone is hurt or in immediate danger, call emergency services.

3. Use safe light, and keep combustion outdoors

Flashlights and battery lanterns are the simplest light source. If you use a portable generator, a camp stove, or a charcoal grill, keep it outdoors and well away from the house.

If you do run a generator, Ready.gov adds these points: keep the unit dry, connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords, let the engine cool before you add fuel, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Keep the cold in the fridge and freezer

Leave refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can. Ready.gov and FoodSafety.gov say a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about four hours, and a full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours (about 24 hours if it is half full and the door stays closed). If you have a food thermometer, use it. Throw out food that has been at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. When you are unsure, throw it out. After a long outage, Ready.gov also says to discard refrigerated medicine that has been without power for more than a day, unless the label says otherwise, and to check with a pharmacist or doctor about a replacement.

5. Protect appliances from a surge

Turn off or unplug appliances and electronics you were using. Power can return with a brief spike that damages equipment still sitting on a circuit.

6. Stretch the phone and stay informed

Conserve battery, use texts when you can, and keep a power bank or car charger in reach if you have one. Ready.gov suggests having a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio if you own one, so you can still hear official updates.

7. If the house gets dangerously hot or cold

Ready.gov says to go to a community location that has power if heat or cold is extreme, and to check with local officials about heating or cooling centers that are open nearby.

When the power returns

Bring appliances back a few at a time. Recheck the refrigerator and freezer with a thermometer. Restock what you used from your kit, and replace any food or medicine you had to throw out.

For hurricane timing, supplies, and evacuation, see what to have ready before hurricane season.