GUIDE TO BEING PREPARED FOR A BLACKOUT
Embedded Files
This practical guide walks readers through building a comprehensive blackout readiness kit, organized by essential categories including temperature control, lighting, cooking, sanitation, health, communication, and food and water storage. Beyond the checklist itself, the e-book offers valuable guidance on rotating supplies, maintaining safety around open flames, protecting your home infrastructure during extended outages, and involving neighbors and pets in your planning — all while encouraging a flexible, proactive mindset that turns preparedness into a manageable routine rather than a source of stress.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
☐ SPACE HEATER(S) (LIMIT THE SPACES USED BY SHUTTING DOORS & OR USING DIVIDERS)
☐ SPACE HEATER FUEL(S)
☐ HAND, FOOT & BODY WARMERS (BATTERY OPERATED VERSIONS & CLOTHING ARE A CONSIDERATION)
☐ FIRE STARTERS, WOOD & LIGHTERS/MATCHES
☐ CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR & SMOKE DETECTOR
☐ FIRE EXTINGUISHER & OR FIRE REPRESSION BLANKET
☐ BLANKETS (WOOL IDEAL) & OR LOW TEMPERATURE RATED SLEEPING BAGS
☐ HEAT REFLECTIVE BLANKETS
☐ DRAFT STOPPERS FOR OUTER DOORS
☐ INDOOR VIABLE TENT
☐ CONSIDER HEAVY DRAPES & OR BLACKOUT CURTAINS
☐ LAYERED CLOTHING FOR COLD CLIMATES (SOLID SHOES OR BOOTS, WOOL OR HEAVY COTTON SOCKS, HATS & GLOVES, THERMAL UNDERWEAR, ASSORTED SWEATER & JACKET LAYERS, OUTER COAT LAYER, LEGGINGS + FULL LENGTH PANTS & SNOW PANTS. *MOISTURE WICKING INNER LAYERS + WATERPROOF OUTER LAYERS IDEAL)
☐ HEAT RETAINING MUGS & HOT DRINK OPTIONS ON HAND
☐ BATTERY OPERATED FAN(S) TO KEEP AIR CIRCULATION IN CHECK OR IN PLACE OF HEATERS FOR COOLING IN WARM ENVIRONMENTS
☐ WEATHER PREPPING & HOUSE REPAIRS UP TO DATE LIGHTING
SANITATION & HEALTH
☐ LANTERNS (BATTERY, KEROSENE & OR SOLAR)
☐ HOOKS TO HANG LANTERNS IF NECESSARY
☐ FLASHLIGHTS (BATTERY, HAND-CRANK & OR SOLAR)
*MINIMUM ONE FOR EVERY PERSON & ONE FOR EVERY ROOM
☐ HEADLAMPS (KEEP ONE ON TOP OF EACH EMERGENCY KIT)
☐ GLOW STICKS (BATTERY OPERATED PREFERRED)
☐ EMERGENCY CANDLES & LIGHTERS/MATCHES
☐ EMERGENCY TOILET
☐ EMERGENCY TOILET BAGS, KITTY LITTER & TOILET PAPER
☐ BOXED BULK UNSCENTED BABY WIPES
☐ SHOWER WIPES
☐ SOLAR CAMP SHOWER
☐ WATER ON HAND FOR LAUNDRY, DISHES ETC.
WATER BARRELS, WATER SAFE CONTAINERS & OR 5/10 GALLON JUGS (CONSIDER EMPTY CONTAINERS FOR MELTING & PURIFYING SNOW MELT OR WATER RUN OFF)
USE A BATHTUB BOB FOR EXTRA WATER IN EMERGENCIES
HAVE A HOSE & WATER BARREL ON HAND TO DRAIN YOUR WATER HEATER & PIPES + HOW TO DIRECTIONS IN WRITING
SIPHONS FOR WATER PUMPING (EXTRAS FOR FUELS)
☐ LAUNDRY HAND TOOLS
BINS TO WASH & RINSE
LAUNDRY SOAP OR POWDER (I.E. NOT PODS)
STAIN REMOVER
A WASH BOARD & CLOTHES WRINGER
A HANG RACK OR CLOTHESLINE WITH CLIPS
☐ TRASH CANS, BARRELS OR BINS WITH LIDS + BAGS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL (BURN METHOD PLAN FOR LONGER TERM)
☐ FIRST AID KIT EQUAL TO YOUR TRAINING + SNAKE BITE KIT
☐ SEWING & OR MENDING KIT + SUPPLIES
☐ ANTIBIOTICS & PRESCRIPTIONS (MINIMUM ONE MONTH)
☐ BACKUP GLASSES & OR CONTACTS IF REQUIRED
☐ HYGIENE PRODUCTS PER FAMILY MEMBER (MINIMUM ONE MONTH)
☐ HOMEOPATHIC & OVER THE COUNTER REMEDIES OF CHOICE ON HAND
POWER
☐ GENERATOR(S)
☐ GENERATOR FUEL(S) OR PANELS & CORDS (CLEAR TARPS
FOR PROTECTION FROM ELEMENTS IF PANELS OR SOLAR
GENERATOR ARE NOT WATERPROOF)
☐ BATTERIES & FUELS FOR EVERY ITEM TO REDUNDANCY
☐ SOLAR & OR CRANK CHARGER(S) FOR DEVICES
☐ BACKUP BATTERY & CONNECTOR CORDS FOR DEVICES
COMMUNICATION
☐ NOAA EMERGENCY RADIO
☐ TWO-WAY RADIO WITH MULTIPLE HANDSETS
☐ WALKIE TALKIE SET WITH REASONABLE RANGE
☐ ADDRESSES & IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS ON HAND
TOOLS
☐ TOOLS & REPAIR ITEMS TO KEEP OUTSIDE ELEMENTS OUT
TARPS & OR HEAVY PLASTIC SHEETING
ROPE & DUCT TAPE
PLYWOOD & 2X4'S
NAILS & SCREWS
ASSORTED HAND TOOLS
☐ VEHICLE IN GOOD REPAIR WITH 3/4+ TANK OF FUEL
☐ EXTRA GASOLINE ROTATED EVERY 6 MONTHS STORED AWAY FROM YOUR RESIDENCE, WITH PRECAUTIONS IN PLACE (OR USE STABIL TO STORE UP TO 24 MONTHS)
☐ BATTERY OPERATED CLOCK(S) & OR WATCH(ES)
☐ ENTERTAINMENT ITEMS (COMFORT ITEMS, GAMES, BOOKS, PROJECT KITS...)
☐ CASH ON HAND & OR BARTER ITEMS
☐ ACCESS TO PHYSICAL BOOKS & RESOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE + USE SKILLS ALREADY ATTAINED
COOKING
☐ COOK STOVE (INDOOR SAFE & REMEMBER TO VENTILATE)
☐ COOK STOVE FUEL (BUTANE, PROPANE OR CANNED HEAT)
☐ COOK RACK AND CHARCOAL/FUEL FOR COOKING IN A FIREPLACE OR FIRE PIT IF ACCESSIBLE
☐ CAST IRON COOKWARE (IDEAL FOR FLAMES)
☐ UTENSILS THAT ARE SAFE FOR USE NEAR A STOVE FLAME
☐ HAND OPERATED TOOLS FOR COFFEE, BAKING & COOKING
☐ PAPER PLATES, BOWLS, NAPKINS, & PLASTIC FLATWARE FOR EASY CLEANUP OR KEEP A SET OF EASY ACCESS CONTAINERS ON HAND AS WASH AND RINSE BASINS FOR USE WITH SOAP & LIMITED WATER USE FOR YOUR REGULAR DISHES & FLATWARE.
FOOD & WATER
☐ HOME CANNED CONVENIENCE MEALS & SIDES
☐ STORE BOUGHT CANNED FOOD & CAN OPENER
☐ PANTRY STAPLES ON HAND + LONG-TERM VERSIONS STORED IN BACKSTOCK
☐ FREEZE DRIED FOOD + ESTIMATED WATER
REQUIREMENTS
☐ READY TO EAT MEAL BARS, SNACKS & CONVENIENCE FOODS
☐ WATER ON HAND (MINIMUM 3 DAYS/10 GALLONS PER PERSON)
☐ WATER PURIFICATION METHODS (MORE THAN ONE IDEAL)
☐ FREEZER/FRIDGE THERMOSTATS WITH ALARMS
☐ BATTERY OPERATED THERMOSTAT IN YOUR PANTRY
**THIS LIST IS DESIGNED FOR INSPIRATION. PLEASE FEEL
FREE TO EDIT IT TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS BASED ON
SCENARIO'S YOU ARE MOST LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE IN
YOUR REGION OF RESIDENCE.**
SCENARIO TIPS
SCENARIO TIPS
THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER
☐ BE SURE TO LABEL ITEMS WITH EXPIRATION DATES AND ROTATE AS NECESSARY: I PERSONALLY PLACE A LABEL WITH THE EARLIEST EXPIRATION DATE ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY KITS/BAGS AND I ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE OVER A YEAR FROM THE EARLIEST EXPIRATION SO I CAN UPDATE ALL OF MY KITS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER DURING THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH SALES IN ORDER TO GET SOME OF THE BEST DEALS ANNUALLY!
☐ ROTATE FOOD, WATER, SUPPLIES & FUELS TO KEEP UP TO DATE
TOP TO BOTTOM - LEFT TO RIGHT - FRONT TO BACK RECOMMENDED
I ALSO LABEL MANY ITEMS IN THE TOP LEFT WITH THEIR EXPIRATION DATES FOR QUICK SORTING {USE A SHARPIE OR LABEL MAKER AS YOU PREFER}
☐ BE SURE TO CHARGE ANY ITEMS NECESSARY ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE: I CHARGE MINE EVERY THIRD MONTH ON THE 1ST {JANUARY, APRIL, JULY & OCTOBER}
☐ LEARN TO SHUT OFF YOUR ELECTRICITY, SEWER & WATER FOR LONG-TERM EMERGENCIES TO AVOID SURGES, LEAKS & BACKFLOWS
☐ UNPLUG MAJOR APPLIANCES IF ELECTRICITY IS OUT LONG-TERM TO KEEP FROM HAVING POWER SURGE DAMAGE WHEN IT RETURNS
☐ CONSIDER FARADAY DEVICE PROTECTORS IN CASE OF AN EMP
☐ OPEN CABINET DOORS AROUND PIPES TO HELP HEAT CIRCULATE IN COLD WEATHER POWER OUTAGES
☐ ALWAYS PLACE ANY OPEN FLAMES OR HEAT SOURCES SUCH AS PROPANE HEATERS, LANTERNS OR CANDLES IN SAFE OPEN SPACES AWAY FROM ANY CURTAINS, BLANKETS, TABLE CLOTH EDGES, PAPERS AND BOOKS, CHILDREN OR PETS AND ALWAYS HAVE FIRE SAFETY ITEMS TO HAND IN CASE YOU NEED TO PUT OUT AN ACCIDENTAL FLAME!
☐ DON’T FORGET YOUR PETS IN YOUR PLANNING
• EXTRA BLANKETS IF IT’S COLD
• WATER BOWLS AWAY FROM THE POSSIBILITY OF ICING OVER
• BACKUP MEDICATIONS FOR JUST IN CASE
FINAL POINTS
BE SURE TO ASSIST ANY NEIGHBORS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE; COMMUNITY IS A TRUE ASPECT OF PREPAREDNESS IN THE IDEAL.
TRY TO BE PROACTIVE IN WHATEVER SCENARIOS YOU ENCOUNTER, AND LEARN TO BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR AVAILABLE SUPPLIES, OFTEN UNIQUE
APPLICATIONS OR USES CAN BE FOUND FOR EVERYDAY ITEMS THAT WILL WORK IN A PINCH.
MAKE THE MOST OF IT! SERIOUSLY, A BOARD GAME WITH FAMILY, SMORE’S IN THE FIREPLACE, A CUP OF TEA, AND A GOOD BOOK BY A SOFT LIGHT...
SOME GREAT MEMORIES CAN BE MADE IN EVEN ADVERSE AND NON-IDEAL CIRCUMSTANCES!
REMEMBER TO TAKE A MOMENT AND STEP OUTSIDE FOR AN UNINTERUPTED VIEW OF THE NIGHT SKY IF IT’S CLEAR!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse