UpOnly Learning Presents: Family Emergency Guide — Natural Disasters, Power and Internet Outages

Family Emergency Guide

Power Outages

Last checked: October 26, 2026

Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.

Related pages: Emergency Kit Checklist · Family Emergency Plan

What it is

  • Ready.gov says, "A power outage is when the electrical power is lost unexpectedly."[1]
  • Ready.gov says outages are more likely during severe weather such as thunderstorms, hurricanes, winter storms, and wildfires.[1]
  • Ready.gov says outages can disrupt communications, water, and transportation, close businesses, spoil food, contaminate water, and affect medical devices.[1]

For students

  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Only use flashlights, NOT candles."[4]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Don't open the fridge or freezer!"[4]
  • Ready.gov Kids says, "Don't use your gas oven as a source of heat."[4]

Before

  • Ready.gov says to make a communication plan and keep a paper copy.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level and near sleeping areas.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to talk with your doctor about medical devices that need electricity and how to store medicines.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to keep phones and electronics charged and plan other power sources.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to find out how long your phone and any battery backup will last.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to keep your car's fuel tank full before predicted extreme weather.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to keep thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.[1]
  • The American Red Cross mentions "a non-cordless home phone" and "a crank or battery radio" as ways to stay connected without home power.[2]

During

  • Ready.gov says to use generators "outdoors and at least 20 feet away from building openings."[1]
  • Ready.gov says, "Never use a gas stovetop, oven, grill or dryer to heat your home."[1]
  • Ready.gov says never to run a vehicle inside a garage, even with the door open.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to keep the refrigerator and freezer closed: the refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to unplug appliances and electronics and use surge protectors.[1]
  • Ready.gov says to follow water advisories and use boiled or bottled water if needed.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Let people in your network know that you are OK."[2]
  • The Red Cross says to evacuate if your home is too hot or too cold, or if medical devices need power, and mentions "warming or cooling centers."[2]

After

  • Ready.gov says to throw away refrigerated food that has been at "40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for more than 4 hours."[1]
  • Ready.gov says, "Replace refrigerated medications if the power is out for a day or more," unless the label says otherwise.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Stay at least 35 feet away from fallen power lines," and "Call 911 and let them know."[2]

Carbon monoxide (CO) safety

  • CDC says carbon monoxide is a gas you can't see or smell that can cause sudden illness and death.[3]
  • CDC says CO symptoms are often described as "flu-like," including headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.[3]
  • CDC says never run a generator inside your home or garage, even with doors and windows open, and to keep it more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents.[3]

Official alerts

  • The Red Cross says to monitor local weather reports and notifications, and notes that utilities may alert residents about planned outages.[2]
  • See Where to Get Official Alerts.

Sources

Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.

  1. [1] Ready.gov (FEMA), Be Prepared for a Power Outage (info sheet, PDF)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_power-outage_hazard-info-sheet.pdf
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  2. [2] American Red Cross, Power Outage
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  3. [3] CDC, About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  4. [4] Ready.gov (FEMA), Know the Facts: Power Outages (Kids)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/power-outages
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026

We check every line against official sources. If you ever spot an error (rare, but it happens), send us a screenshot through our form and we’ll fix it.