The lights flicker, then the house goes quiet. A power outage doesn't have to feel like an emergency. With a little light, a little warmth and a plan for the fridge, it can feel more like a slow evening at home together.
What to do, step by step
- Light first. Give every person their own flashlight or headlamp so no one is hunting in the dark. Skip candles where you can.
- Keep the cold in. Keep fridge and freezer doors closed. A closed fridge stays cold about 4 hours; a full freezer about 48.
- Stay warm in one room. Gather everyone into one small room, close the doors, and layer up with blankets, hats and warm socks.
- Keep phones and news going. Charge phones from a battery or power station and keep a radio handy for updates.
- Cook safely. Use stoves and grills outdoors only, never in a garage or indoors. Unplug sensitive electronics until the power is steady again.
Learn first: our Prep Guides
- Winter Power Outage Prep: A Family Guide for Every Zone
- The 4-Hour Fridge & Freezer Rule: How to Keep Food Safe When the Power Goes Out
- How to Cook Without Power: A Family Guide for Every Zone
- Off-Grid Solar 101: How to Build or Choose a Long-Term Off-Grid Power System
Shop by need
A small, chosen set. Each item is here because it does one job well for this situation. Use what you already have first, then fill the gaps one at a time.
Light for everyone
See in the dark, hands free.
- FLATEYE™ Rechargeable FR-500 Flashlight – 500 Lumens: a small rechargeable light for each person
- FLATEYE™ Rechargeable FRL-2100 Lantern Flashlight - 2175 Lumens: lantern mode lights a whole room
- POWERCAP 2.5 Rechargeable LED Lighted Headlamp Beanies: a warm beanie with a built-in light
Backup power
Phones, lights, Wi-Fi and small appliances.
- Jackery Explorer 300D Portable Power Station: compact power for phones, lights and a router
- Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2: power station plus solar panel for longer outages
- Jackery SolarSaga 100 Air: a light solar panel to recharge by day
Warmth
Stay cozy without the furnace.
- Zen Portable Heated Blanket: a battery-heated blanket for the couch or bed
- POWERPAW 501 IP67 Waterproof Rechargeable Electric Hand Warmer: rechargeable hand warmer
- Roam Heated Socks – Unisex Rechargeable Heated Socks with Remote Control: rechargeable heated socks
News and cooking
Stay informed and fed.
- Preppi Solar Phone Charger & Emergency Radio: hand-crank and solar radio that also charges a phone
- Hot Ash Stainless Steel Rocket Stove: cooks on small sticks; outdoor use only
- Stormproof Fire Matches: matches that light in wind and rain
Fuel-burning stoves are for outdoor use only. Check each product page for current price, full details and shipping. Not sure what fits your home? Send us a note. We're happy to help you choose.
Preparedness is love made practical—a quiet promise that when the world outside feels uncertain, your home remains a place of warmth, light, and steady hands.
— Ark Prep · Preparedness, designed into the everyday.