Be prepared for a power outage with an emergency outage kit, which should always be stocked and easily accessible. Kit items include:
- Flashlights
- Fresh batteries
- Candles
- Matches or lighters
- Battery-powered radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
- Battery-powered or wind-up clock
- Portable heater (oil or gas)
- Portable generator (review safety tips prior to use)
- Bottled water for drinking and cooking (one gallon per person per day)
- Nonperishable food and manual can opener
- Paper plates and plastic utensils
- Coolers and ice
- First-aid kit and family prescription medicines
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags
- Warm clothes, sturdy shoes, and heavy gloves
- Special needs items for infants, elderly, and/or disabled family members
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items, including hand sanitizer
- Games and activities for children
- Pet supplies
- Emergency telephone numbers, including the number of your local electric company to report outages
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
- Extra cash
- Instructions on how to manually open electric garage doors
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
Source: Edison Electric Institute
