Putting Together an Emergency Power Outage Kit for Your Family

Power outages can happen at any time in Summerside, Mt. Carmel, Newton, Fairfax, and the rest of the Cincinnati area, and it's essential to be prepared. Between summer thunderstorms and winter ice and snow, the power could go out year-round. Putting together an emergency kit can help things go smoothly, even when you lose electricity unexpectedly.

Here's what you need to know about preparing your home's power outage preparedness kit.

How to Prepare for a Long-term Power Outage

If a big storm hits, it may be a while before everyone in Cincinnati gets power back. It's important to be prepared for an extended outage before it happens. This may include investing in a backup generator or battery backup system, having a supply of fuel on hand for your generator, and stocking up on non-perishable food and water for an extended period.

What to Include in a Power Outage Emergency Kit

An emergency power outage kit should include essential items you and your family may need during an outage. Storing it all together in a bin or container in a closet will keep your emergency kit organized and close at hand. It’s best to keep the kit in a spot that’s convenient and easy to get to, even when your home is dark.

Some items needed for power outage preparedness include:

  • Flashlights or battery-powered lanterns
  • Batteries
  • Portable, battery-operated phone charger
  • First aid kit
  • Non-perishable food and bottled water
  • Manual can opener
  • Cash and important documents
  • Blankets and clean clothing
  • Battery-operated fans (for summer outages)
  • Portable radio

How to Prepare for a Power Outage in the Short Term

To prepare for a power outage:

  • Charge your phones and any rechargeable batteries you may end up needing.
  • Fill up your gas tank and gas cans for your generator.
  • Stock up on non-perishable food and water.
  • Identify a safe place in your home to stay during the outage.
  • Turn off and unplug appliances and electronics to prevent power surges when the power is restored. A whole-home surge protector can protect your electronics even if you’re not able to unplug them.

Peace of Mind During Power Outages

Power outages can happen anytime, and it's important to be prepared. For peace of mind, plan for power outages by creating an emergency power outage kit with essential items to keep you and your family safe and comfortable until the power comes back on.

For information about backup generators – or any other electrical questions or concerns – call Mister Sparky of Cincinnati at (513) 657-1641 or book online to have a generator or surge protector installed in your home.