Blackout Kit Essentials
Most outages are short, but some last days. A small, organized kit of safe lighting, water, food, first aid and a way to get information makes either kind much easier.
What to Look For
Build your kit around light, information, water and safety, then add power.
Safe lighting
Battery LED lanterns and headlamps are safer than candles, and they don't produce fumes or heat.
Water and food
Ready.gov recommends at least a gallon of water per person per day for several days, plus non-perishable food.
Safety and info
A battery-powered CO alarm, a first-aid kit and an emergency radio cover the most important risks.
Our Picks
A battery LED lantern, a two-pack of headlamps and a pre-packed two-person emergency kit to build on.
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Picks are based on manufacturer-published specifications and the buying criteria on this page, not on paid placement or hands-on lab testing. Specs quoted are the manufacturer's; check the listing for the current model before you buy.
How to Build a Blackout Kit
A blackout kit is a set of supplies, stored together, that lets your household get through a power outage safely. Most outages last hours, but storms and grid emergencies can stretch them into days. The goal is simple: light, information, water, food, health needs, safety and a little power, without scrambling in the dark.
Light without flames
Battery-powered LED lanterns light a whole room and can sit on a table; headlamps keep your hands free for cooking, caring for kids or checking the breaker panel. Ready.gov recommends flashlights over candles to reduce fire risk. Put a light in every room people sleep in, and keep spare batteries in the sizes your lights use.
Information
A battery or hand-crank radio with NOAA Weather Radio reception lets you hear warnings and updates if cell service is down. See our emergency radio picks. Keep a written list of important phone numbers too; phone contacts don't help when the phone is dead.
Water and food
Ready.gov recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. Add non-perishable food that needs no cooking, a manual can opener and supplies for pets. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed during an outage; the CDC says a refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours and a half-full freezer for about 24.
Health and safety
- A first-aid kit and a supply of necessary medications.
- A plan for medical devices that need power, such as CPAP machines or oxygen concentrators; talk with your provider and consider a power station sized for them.
- Battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide alarms, especially if anyone will use a generator.
- A fire extinguisher you know how to use.
Power
Charged power banks keep phones running for days. A portable power station can run lights, Wi-Fi, a fridge for short periods or a medical device. If you use a fuel generator, run it outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Keep it together and keep it fresh
Store everything in one labeled bin or backpack in a place everyone knows. Twice a year, check batteries, rotate water and food, recharge power banks and power stations, and test radios and lights. A pre-packed emergency kit is a good starting point that you can tailor to your household. For a complete checklist, read building a blackout kit.