What should you do in the first hour?
Check whether the problem is only your home by looking at the breaker panel and at neighbors' lights. Report the outage to your utility using its phone number or outage app, and write down the date and time. If you see a downed line, stay far away, assume it is live, and call 911 and the utility.
Turn off or unplug sensitive electronics and heavy appliances so a surge does not damage them when power returns. Leave one light switched on so you know when power is back.
Storms, ice, wind and falling trees are common causes, as are vehicle crashes and equipment failures. Some outages are planned. Your utility's website or phone line usually tells you which one you are in.
- Check breakers and neighbors
- Report to the utility
- Treat downed lines as live
- Unplug sensitive equipment
How do you keep food safe?
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible. Food safety guidance on how long food stays safe comes from the USDA and the CDC, and you should rely on their published advice, not on guesses. When in doubt, throw it out.
Use a thermometer in the fridge and freezer if you have one. Plan ahead for a long outage by freezing water in containers to help keep things cold, and have a cooler and ice available if your area has outages often.
How do you stay warm or cool safely?
Cold and heat are the main dangers of a long outage. Dress in layers, close off rooms and gather in one space in winter. In summer, stay in the coolest part of the house, drink water and avoid heavy activity. Check on older neighbors, young children and anyone with health problems.
Never burn charcoal, run a grill or use a gas stove for heating indoors. Carbon monoxide can kill without any warning. Use only heating devices made for indoor use, follow the instructions and keep a working carbon monoxide alarm with fresh batteries.
Pets and animals feel temperature extremes too. Provide shelter, water and bedding, and bring pets indoors in extreme cold or heat when you can.
- Layer clothing and use blankets
- Never burn charcoal or run engines indoors
- Keep water and shade in hot weather
- Check on neighbors
What about medical and communication needs?
If anyone relies on electrical medical equipment, talk to the medical provider and the utility ahead of time about a plan, and register your need with the utility if it has a program. In a medical emergency, call 911. Keep phones charged, and keep a battery or crank radio for weather and emergency information.
The National Weather Service and Ready.gov explain how to get alerts. Cell service can fail, so write key numbers on paper.
How do you care for livestock and water?
Animals still need water, feed and shelter. Pumps, electric fences, milking equipment, heaters and ventilation fans may all stop. Plan how to water animals without power, and check that animals are secure when electric fences are down.
If you have a well, remember the pump needs power too. Store drinking water ahead of time. Ask your extension office for livestock emergency planning guidance.
Write down what your animals need each day, including who feeds, waters and checks them, so a helper can step in if you cannot.
When is a generator or alternative power worth it?
A generator can be a lifesaver but also a danger if misused. Keep it outdoors and far from windows and doors, and have a licensed electrician install a proper transfer connection if you want to power the house. Never plug it into a wall outlet to feed the house.
Ask your utility and an electrician about safe options. Backup power does not replace a plan for warmth, water and food.
- Generators belong outdoors only
- Use a licensed electrician for any house connection
- Store fuel safely and away from the house
- Follow the maker's instructions
What should you do after power returns?
Wait a few minutes before turning on appliances one at a time. Check food, reset clocks and thermostats and look over equipment for damage. Report any problems to the utility.
Review what worked and what did not. Replace batteries, restock supplies and update your contact list while it is fresh in your mind.
Key takeaways
- Report the outage and treat downed lines as dangerous.
- Keep fridge and freezer closed and follow USDA and CDC food guidance.
- Never use fuel burners or engines indoors, and keep a carbon monoxide alarm.
- Plan for water, medical needs and animals before the next outage.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.