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