A week without electricity can be more than inconvenient. Here’s how to stay calm, prepared, and comfortable when the lights go out.
Most people can handle a short power outage, but when it stretches into days or even a full week, it becomes a whole different challenge. Food, warmth, communication, and comfort all come into play. Whether you’re prepping for storms, aging infrastructure, or just like to be ready, these tips will help you weather a week without electricity in a smart and simple way.
1. Have a Water Plan
Without power, your water supply could be limited, especially if you’re on a well. Fill clean containers ahead of time with drinking water. A good rule of thumb is one gallon per person per day. Don’t forget pets. Also, consider storing water for flushing toilets or basic washing. Bathtubs, large pots, or clean trash bins can help.
2. Store Shelf-Stable Food
Canned goods, dried beans, pasta, peanut butter, oats, powdered milk, and crackers can go a long way when the fridge isn’t running. Focus on items that don’t require refrigeration or extensive cooking. Don’t forget a manual can opener and a few sweet treats to lift spirits.
3. Keep the Lights On (Sort Of)
Use battery-operated flashlights, headlamps and LED lanterns as your primary outage lighting. Keep spare batteries or charged power banks and store lights in easy-to-find places. Avoid candles when battery lighting is available because open flames add fire risk. If you use a candle, follow its manufacturer’s instructions, keep it in a suitable holder away from anything that can burn, children and pets, and never leave it burning unattended or while sleeping. See the National Candle Association’s safety guidance.
4. Stay Warm Without Heat
If it’s winter, prepare warm layers, blankets, sleeping bags, and thick socks. Close off unused rooms and use suitable window coverings without blocking required ventilation or exits. Use a propane space heater indoors only if it is specifically designed and approved for indoor use, permitted locally, and operated exactly as its manufacturer directs. Ventilation alone does not make an outdoor heater safe indoors. Keep heaters at least three feet from bedding, curtains, furniture, and other combustible materials, or farther if the manufacturer requires it. Turn portable heaters off before sleeping or leaving them unattended. Maintain working carbon monoxide alarms according to their instructions. Never use an oven, outdoor grill, or outdoor stove to heat your home. If a CO alarm sounds, get everyone outdoors to fresh air and call emergency services. Plan a safe place to stay if your home becomes dangerously cold.
Sources: CPSC heating and carbon monoxide precautions; CPSC guidance on generators, furnaces, and space heaters.
5. Charge What You Can Ahead of Time
Charge all phones, tablets, battery packs, and even solar power banks before the outage hits. Keep a few portable power bricks handy so you can communicate or read important updates. A battery-operated radio is also a smart backup to get local news.
6. Cook Without Electricity
Camping stoves, rocket stoves, fire pits, and even fondue pots can help heat water or cook simple meals. Never use outdoor grills or stoves indoors. Think simple meals like soups, pasta, or rice with canned veggies. Don’t forget matches or a lighter.
7. Prepare for Bathroom Needs
Have extra toilet paper, wet wipes, trash bags, and water for flushing. If plumbing is down, a lined bucket with kitty litter can serve as a temporary toilet. It’s not glamorous, but being prepared here can make a big difference in comfort.
8. Keep Boredom at Bay
A week without screens can feel long. Stock up on board games, puzzles, books, and a deck of cards. If you’re stuck indoors, having activities ready makes time pass faster and keeps spirits high. Kids and adults alike will benefit from a little analog entertainment.
9. Write Down Important Information
When devices die, you’ll be glad to have a list of contacts, addresses, and key phone numbers written down. Add your doctor, local emergency services, and family contacts. A small notebook and pen kept near the emergency supplies can be a lifesaver.
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