Checklists
72-hour and 7-day outage checklists you can print
A power, internet or card outage can last for days. The Red Cross says a power outage can last days or longer and cut off stores, banks, water and communications. How long should you plan for? Ready.gov says several days, the Red Cross suggests three days of water and food if you have to leave and two weeks at home, and NYC Emergency Management says up to seven days. Most of this list is habits and paper, not purchases. Do the 72-hour list first, then extend to 7 days. Print the page or download the PDFs below, and keep them with your documents.
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026
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72-hour checklist
Money
Comms and information
Power and light
Documents
Health
7-day checklist
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Everything above, plus:
Money
Comms and information
Power and light
Documents
Health and hygiene
Home
Apartment additions
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If you live in a building, add these. Your elevator, water pumps, buzzer and electronic locks all depend on building power. On an upper floor, that can mean dark stairs and lower water pressure. See headlamps and water containers in the Shop. For NYC specifics, see our NYC apartment guide.
Winter storm checklist
Ready.gov says a winter storm can "Cut off heat, power and communication services" and can "Last a few hours or several days." The National Weather Service says your main concerns at home are "loss of heat, power and telephone service and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day." Ready.gov's advice is to "Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power." Here's the list. (Ice storm coming? See how to prepare for an ice storm power outage.)
Before the storm
- Charge your phone and power banks. Ready.gov says to plan for "a portable charger or power bank."
- Flashlights and spare batteries. Ready.gov says: "Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights."
- A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio. The NWS lists a "Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio to receive emergency information."
- Water and food that needs no cooking. The NWS lists "food requiring no cooking or refrigeration."
- Extra prescription medicine. Ready.gov says to keep in mind "each person’s specific needs, including medication."
- First-aid supplies.
- Some cash, in case card readers go down. See card readers down.
- Food, water and a warm spot for pets.
- A full gas tank. Ready.gov says: "Keep a full tank of gas." Car kit: winter car emergency kit.
- Sign up for alerts. Ready.gov says: "Sign up for your community’s warning system."
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Apartment additions for winter
- Ask your super where the building's plan is if the heat goes out, and whether there's a warm room.
- Know who to call if your building has no heat. In New York City, see our NYC page.
- Ready.gov says to "Check with local officials about heating and cooling locations open near you."
Heat and safety
- Ready.gov says: "never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven."
- Ready.gov says to "Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups."
- For staying warm, pipes and carbon monoxide, read power outage in winter.
If the power is out too
A power outage takes payments, Wi-Fi, and building systems down together. Three things to know:
- Use flashlights or battery lanterns, not candles, as the Red Cross advises.
- With the power out, a closed fridge keeps food safe for up to 4 hours (FoodSafety.gov). After that, FoodSafety.gov says to throw out perishables like meat, fish, eggs and leftovers. A full freezer holds about 48 hours with the door closed, or about 24 if it's half full.
Never run a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors or on a balcony next to a window. They give off carbon monoxide, which can kill and which you can't see or smell. Install a battery CO alarm.
The full plan is in Power outage in an apartment.
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Print or save the PDFs
The 72-hour and 7-day PDFs match the lists above (the apartment additions are on this page only). They have no product links.
- Print 72-hour checklist (PDF)
- Print 7-day checklist (PDF)
- Print wallet card (PDF): fold it, fill in your contacts and local radio station, and keep it with your ID.
Sizing backup power? Get the free planning guide (PDF).
Related
- Scenarios: Card networks down · Internet and cell outage · Power outage in an apartment · Bank and ATM access · Automation cascade (a teaching scenario)
- How much cash to keep at home
- NYC apartment guide
- Do you need a NOAA weather radio?
- Power bank or power station? Compare them →
- Power outage in winter
- Ice storm power outage
- Winter car emergency kit
- Leaving home for the holidays
Shop by category
Sources
We base this list on public guidance. We link to it so you can check it yourself.
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Build a Kit. Water, "one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation"; a battery-powered or hand crank radio; cash; a printable version.
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Water. Store at least one gallon per person per day for several days; boiling and unscented household bleach for treating water.
- American Red Cross: Survival Kit Supplies. One gallon per person per day; a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home; a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
- American Red Cross: Power Outage Safety. An outage can last for days or longer; plan non-power alternatives for locks and elevators; sign up for alerts; use flashlights, not candles.
- NYC Emergency Management: Utility Disruptions. Supplies for up to seven days; report lost water service or low pressure to 311; utility outage lines; Notify NYC.
- NYC Health: Drinking Water Tank Inspection Reporting. In buildings with more than six floors, pumps push water to rooftop tanks.
- CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics. Battery or battery-backup CO alarms near every sleeping area; never use a generator or camp stove indoors.
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Power Outages. Keep the fridge and freezer closed; generators, camp stoves and grills only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows.
- FoodSafety.gov: Food Safety During a Power Outage. A closed fridge keeps food safe for up to 4 hours; a full freezer about 48 hours (24 if half full).
- CDC: Water in an emergency. "Boiling is the best way to kill germs in water"; chemical disinfectants such as unscented household chlorine bleach or chlorine dioxide tablets; "Follow the instructions on the label or package" of the tablets or drops.
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Winter Weather. A storm can cut off heat and power for days; supplies for several days; extra batteries; CO detectors; never heat with a gas stove or oven.
- National Weather Service: Before a Winter Storm. At-home supply list: flashlight, NOAA radio, no-cook food, medicine, first aid, pets.