Leaving home for the holidays: a checklist in case the power goes out

What can go wrong if the power fails while you're away

Ready.gov says a winter storm can "Cut off heat, power and communication services" and can "Last a few hours or several days." If that happens while you're gone, nobody is home to notice. The Red Cross explains why that matters for your pipes: water "expands as it freezes," and that puts "tremendous pressure" on metal or plastic pipes. And the fridge: Ready.gov says it "will keep food cold for about four hours." The checklist below is what you can do before you lock the door.

Before you leave: home checklist

• Tell someone you're away. Tell a neighbor, your super or your landlord, and leave a number where they can reach you. Ask them to check in if a storm hits.
• Leave the heat on. The Red Cross says: "If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F." Renters: if the heat isn't yours to set, ask your landlord or super.
• Unplug electronics you won't use. Ready.gov says to "Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges," because "Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage."
• Lock up documents and cash. Put paper copies of key documents and some spare cash in a fire-resistant box. See how much cash to keep at home.
• Tell someone your route. The National Weather Service says: "Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes."

Pipes and the fridge while you're gone

For pipes, the Red Cross says to "Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing," and to "move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children." For more on keeping pipes from freezing in a winter outage, see protect your pipes. Renters: the landlord or super is responsible for the building's pipes, so call them if you're worried.

For the fridge, Ready.gov says to "Throw out food if the temperature is 40 degrees or higher." When you get home, check FoodSafety.gov's power-outage chart before you eat anything that was in the fridge or freezer.

How to tell if the power went out while you were away

• Ask your neighbor or super. They may know whether the building lost power.
• Check your utility's outage page or alerts. If your utility has an outage map or text alerts, check them.
• Look at the clocks. If the clock on the microwave or stove is blinking or has reset, the power may have gone out at some point.

If it did, check FoodSafety.gov's power-outage guidance before you decide what to keep.

FAQ

Should I unplug things before I leave? Ready.gov says to "Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges," because "Power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage."

Should I empty the fridge? Use up or toss what will spoil before you go, so less is at risk. Ready.gov says the fridge "will keep food cold for about four hours."

For the trip itself

Storms don't wait for you to get home. If your flight is delayed or the roads close, what you packed is what you have.

Packing for the trip if storms hit on the road

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• Phone power. The National Weather Service's winter car kit starts with "Mobile phone, charger, batteries." Ready.gov says to plan for "a portable charger or power bank." A charged power bank keeps your phone going through a delayed flight or train. Shop Power →
• Light. The NWS kit lists a "Flashlight with extra batteries." A headlamp leaves your hands free. Shop Light →
• Cash. If card readers are down where you are, cash still works. See what to do when card readers are down.
• If you're driving. Ready.gov says to "Keep a full tank of gas," and the NWS says to "Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines." Pack the winter car emergency kit.

Traveling by air or rail? See holiday travel in a winter storm for what to keep in your carry-on.

Buy, borrow or skip

• Buy: a power bank, a headlamp or flashlight, a fire-resistant document box, and the car kit items.
• Borrow: a neighbor's eyes on the house; a key holder you trust.
• Skip: "smart" gadgets sold as outage-proof, generators, and candles as light.