Quick answer: Prepare equipment for the household functions that stop when electricity does: seeing, communicating, receiving alerts, storing food and maintaining essential care and a safe indoor environment. Start with those requirements before deciding whether you need a large battery or generator.
Write a power dependency list
Walk through a normal day and record what electricity supports. Include the router, lights and refrigerator, but also door access, lifts, water or wastewater pumps, heating controls and any care device. Record the building manager or utility contact for shared systems.
| Function | Ready backup to establish |
|---|---|
| Movement and room lighting | Reachable portable lights and an area light with ready batteries |
| Communication | Phone reserve, compatible cables and paper contacts |
| Alerts | A working receiver or other channel independent of the router |
| Food | No-cook meals, opener and storage-temperature plan |
| Water and sanitation | Stored supply and confirmed service/alternative arrangements |
| Temperature and care | Approved backup or a reachable alternative destination |
CDC’s power-source guidance emphasizes emergency lighting, safe heating alternatives and backup for personal devices, appliances and medical equipment. The table turns those requirements into an equipment audit.
Make the small electrical items complete
For every light or radio, record the battery type, a suitable ready set and where spares are kept. For charging, include the cable and any adapter required by the actual phone. Confirm operation under normal conditions using the manufacturer’s instructions.
Choose lights using the flashlight and lantern comparison, place them with the lighting layout and prepare phone charging separately. Do not count one shared power bank twice in the operating plan.
Decide whether larger backup power is necessary
Identify the exact load, required running time and an approved alternative before selecting equipment. A battery’s stored watt-hours do not establish that its outlets can start or support every appliance.
Use the sizing guide and the generator comparison. CDC warns against indoor generator use and requires outdoor placement at least 20 feet from openings. If a safe operating arrangement is unavailable, include that limitation in the plan.
Keep non-electrical requirements visible
Having electricity for a pump does not establish safe water or usable sewer service. Check tap-water status and toilet operation. Plan food with no-cook meals and account for temperature and individual care needs.
Choose the next guide by the task
For an outage happening now, use the first-action sequence. For ongoing operation, use the multi-day plan. The outage shopping list supports equipment selection once the gaps are known.