For a winter storm power outage, shop for six things: flashlights and lanterns (not candles), a battery or hand-crank radio, phone power, a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm, water and food that need no power, and a thermometer to judge your refrigerator. Ready.gov, the Red Cross, the CDC and the CPSC all point to the same basics.
Light and news
The Red Cross says to use flashlights, not candles, to reduce fire risk. Keep more than one light source: a flashlight by the bed, a lantern for the main room and a headlamp for hands-free tasks. Store spare batteries with them, and check the batteries at the start of winter.
Ready.gov's basic kit includes a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, plus a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, so you can hear warnings when the internet is down. The same list names a flashlight and extra batteries. Keep them where everyone in the household can find them in the dark.
Phone and device power
Ready.gov lists a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery, and the Red Cross mentions keeping chargers or batteries for phones and computers, plus a crank or battery radio. Communities often provide charging stations, so know where yours is.
A power bank should be charged before the storm and topped up whenever the power returns. Lower the screen brightness and use airplane mode to stretch the battery. Check the maker's cold-temperature range, and keep it somewhere warm in the house.
Warmth and carbon monoxide
The Red Cross advises sealing around windows to help insulate the home and going to a place with heat if it gets very cold. It also warns never to use outdoor stoves or heaters indoors and not to use a gas stove to heat the home. The CDC lists generators, charcoal grills and gas ranges among carbon monoxide sources.
The CDC recommends battery-operated or battery-backup CO detectors near every sleeping area, and the CPSC says to place alarms on every level and outside sleeping areas. Check the batteries when you change the clocks, and replace detectors per the manufacturer's instructions (the CDC says every 5 years or as instructed). Extra blankets and layers are cheap, no-power warmth. For disposable warmers, see disposable versus rechargeable warmers.
If you own or are considering a generator, read its manual and the CPSC's guidance. Have any connection to your home wiring done by a qualified electrician. Our carbon monoxide and snow equipment page covers engines in garages.
Water, food and the refrigerator
Ready.gov's kit lists one gallon of water per person per day for several days, a several-day supply of non-perishable food and a manual can opener. For the refrigerator, the Red Cross says an unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours and a full freezer holds its temperature about 48 hours (about 24 if half full) if the door stays closed. It says to check temperatures with a thermometer and to throw out perishable food that has reached 40°F or warmer.
An appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer is the cheap way to make that decision. Ready.gov also advises planning ahead for prescription medications. If anyone uses medical equipment that needs power, ask their prescriber and your utility how to prepare.
The checklist at a glance
| Need | Item | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Flashlights, lantern, headlamp, spare batteries | Battery type; test before winter |
| News | Battery or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio | Tone alert; spare batteries |
| Phone | Power bank and cables | Charged; cold range |
| Safety | Battery-operated CO alarms | One per level and by bedrooms |
| Food | Water, non-perishables, manual can opener | About a gallon per person per day |
| Fridge | Appliance thermometer | Discard perishables at 40°F or warmer |
| Warmth | Blankets, layers, window sealing | No stoves or outdoor heaters indoors |
Snow tools that work without power
An outage can also mean heated mats, electric starters and electric tools do not run. Keep a manual shovel and ice melt where you can reach them. Our complete home snow kit lists the manual basics. If you are heading out in the car, the winter car emergency kit is separate from this list.
Where to shop
These are search links. Read the specs and return terms on each listing.
LED lantern and headlamp
Area light and hands-free light.
Best when: you want light in a main room and for tasks
Watch for: check battery type and run time on the listing
Battery or hand-crank weather radio
Receives warnings when the internet is down.
Best when: you want updates without a phone
Watch for: look for weather band and tone alert features
Power bank for phones
Backup phone charging.
Best when: you rely on a phone for contact and maps
Watch for: charge before the storm; check cold range
Battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm
Alarm that works when the power is out.
Best when: you use any fuel-burning appliance, a garage or a generator
Watch for: replace per the maker's date; test the battery
Frequently asked questions
What supplies do I need for a winter power outage?
Light and spare batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a charged power bank, a battery-operated CO alarm, water and non-perishable food, and a thermometer for the refrigerator.
Are candles OK during an outage?
The Red Cross advises flashlights rather than candles to reduce fire risk.
How long does food last in a refrigerator without power?
The Red Cross says about 4 hours for an unopened refrigerator, and a full freezer about 48 hours (about 24 if half full) with the door closed. Discard perishables at 40°F or warmer.
Can I run a generator in the garage?
No. The CDC and CPSC say never run a portable generator inside a home or garage, even with the doors open. Use it outdoors at least 20 feet from the home.
How should I heat the house in an outage?
Do not use a gas stove or outdoor heaters indoors. Seal windows, add layers and move to a place with heat if it gets very cold.
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