Preparing For a Power Outage
- By Brian Lambert
- Jan 13, 2025
- 0 Comments

I’m a weather skeptic; a curmudgeon of sorts when it comes to the weather forecast. But when the power company sent notifications that the power would be shut down for 24 hours due to high winds, I had no choice but to take action.
Usually there is no warning before the power goes out, so it was helpful to be given time to prepare. Here are some considerations for your next power outage based on my own experience.
1. Overprepare


We were told power would be out for a day, but we ended up not getting power back for 4 days. If you are given time to prepare, don’t just do the minimum – make sure you are set up for success and are ready for an extended outage.
Moreover, for all the other times where an outage comes as a surprise, you want to have the right supplies at the ready.
2. Build an Emergency Go Bag


While I’m planning for a power outage, high winds could bring a lot of danger, like wildfires. I always have an emergency bag ready stocked with first aid, food, and other survival essentials. Check out our tips on how to build your own here.
3. Fuel Up


I’m on a well and septic, so if I want water or to use the indoor facilities, I need to fire up the generator. I have 9000-Watt generator that will run on propane or gasoline that I can cut over to when the power is down.
I keep 10 gallons of gasoline at the ready and I plan to burn about 5 gallons a day to keep the refrigerator, freezer, well and septic running. If I can’t make it to town to refill, I have 3 propane tanks that I use for the gas grill as a backup.
I also make sure my vehicle has a full tank in case things get bad and I need to bug out.
4. Get Your Lighting Ready


PowerSwitch is where it’s at! I use the Radiant RL3 PowerSwitch Lantern and the Radiant RH1 PowerSwitch Headlamp.
The rechargeable battery in the lantern can last over 29 hours in a medium brightness mode, and automatically switches over to backup batteries when it runs out to provide another 20 hours (even longer in low mode). This lantern can also be used to charge devices, so I use it to charge my phone when I’m not running the generator at night.
The rechargeable battery in the RH1 can last up to 18.5 hours on the low setting and if it runs out and I have no place to recharge it, I can swap the rechargeable battery out with AAA’s and get over 27 more hours.
And of course, a good flashlight is always a necessity in my home. My favorite is the INOVA T4R PowerSwitch Flashlight since I can dock the charger in either my home or my vehicle, and the PowerSwitch feature allows me to use CR123 batteries if needed.
5. Prep Your Meals Ahead


A refrigerator will keep its temperature for 4 hours if unopened and your freezer can keep the temperature for about 24 hours at half full. I break out the camp stove and cook what I can. I’m extra careful with perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs.
I don’t keep the generator running 24/7 so there is a good chance of losing some of the refrigerated and frozen food if I don’t eat them right away. I also make sure I have items to eat that I don’t need to cook or refrigerate.
6. Remember Your Neighbors
Outdoorsy people like myself are fairly self-sufficient, but many of our neighbors are not. Once you have completed your preparation and feel safe, make sure your neighbors are also safe and have the resources they need. People don’t always ask for help, and a little goodwill can go a long way.
I hope these tips help you make a plan for a potential outage in your area. Be prepared and stay safe.