Extended power outage

Before

• List what in your home needs electricity: fridge, medical devices, phone, fans, and well or pump if you have one.
• Keep a flashlight for each person and a radio that does not need the wall outlet.
• Ready.gov and CDC: a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours. A full freezer keeps food safe about 48 hours, and CDC says a half-full freezer about 24 hours, if the door stays closed.
• Put a thermometer in the fridge and freezer. Ready.gov says to throw food out if it has been at 40°F or higher.
• If you own a generator, learn the outdoor rule before you need it. Ready.gov and CDC: use it outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never in a home or garage.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm with a battery backup. CDC describes carbon monoxide as a gas you cannot see or smell.

During

• Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. Use a cooler and ice if the outage will be longer than the times above.
• Never use a gas oven, grill, or camp stove indoors to heat or cook. Ready.gov says that raises the risk of carbon monoxide and fire.
• Run a generator only outdoors, at least 20 feet away, and let it cool before you add fuel. Keep it dry.
• Unplug sensitive electronics so a surge does not damage them when power returns.
• If someone has headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or confusion while a generator or engine is running, get everyone to fresh air and call 911.
• For refrigerated medicine, follow the label and ask a pharmacist. Ready.gov says if the outage lasts more than a day, discard refrigerated medicine unless the label says otherwise, and get a new supply.

After

• CDC: do not taste food to test it. Throw out perishable fridge food after 4 hours without power or another cold source.
• You can refreeze frozen food that still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below (CDC).
• Ready.gov: throw out food that was at 40°F or higher for 2 hours or more, or that smells, looks, or feels wrong.
• Restock water and the foods you actually eat. Note what ran out first.

Checklist

• ☐Thermometer in the fridge and freezer
• ☐Cooler and ice packs
• ☐Flashlights and spare batteries
• ☐Carbon monoxide alarm with battery backup
• ☐Generator plan: outdoors, 20 feet, heavy-duty cords
• ☐Paper list of medicines and devices that need power

Sources

Official pages only. Open them for the full instructions.

• Ready.gov: Power outages
• CDC: Protect yourself during a power outage
• CDC: Carbon monoxide
• CDC: Keep food safe after an emergency
• Ready.gov: Build a kit
• Florida Division of Emergency Management: Plan and prepare