You don’t have to be a prepper to be well prepared. A blackout-proof home means: you can manage 72 hours — ideally 10 days — without external supplies. No power, no running water, no supermarket.
This checklist goes through area by area, room by room, covering what you can do today to prepare your home.
Area 1: Water ✅
Water is the most critical resource. Without power, pumps stop — no more water pressure, especially on upper floors.
What you need:
- ☐ At least 2 liters of drinking water per person per day stored for 10 days
- ☐ Water canisters (10–20 liters, food-grade) as supplementary supply
- ☐ Water filter as backup for when supplies run out
- ☐ Bathtub / large pots for quick filling when a blackout begins
👉 Water Filter Review: Which Is the Best for Emergencies? →
👉 Water Supply During a Blackout: Everything You Need to Know →
Area 2: Food ✅
What you need:
- ☐ Supply for at least 72 hours per person (goal: 10 days)
- ☐ Foods that keep without refrigeration (canned goods, dry goods)
- ☐ Foods that can be eaten cold (in case there’s no heat source)
- ☐ Manual can opener — an electric one won’t help here
- ☐ Check expiration dates — once a year
👉 Emergency Food Supply: The Complete List →
Area 3: Lighting ✅
Without power it’s pitch dark after sunset. That sounds trivial — but it quickly becomes dangerous in everyday situations (falls, accidents).
What you need:
- ☐ At least 2 flashlights with spare batteries (or rechargeable)
- ☐ Headlamp — keeps your hands free for other tasks
- ☐ Candles (supply for 10 days) + candle holders + lighters
- ☐ Chemical glow sticks as emergency backup
- ☐ Solar garden lights that can charge during the day
Area 4: Cooking and Heating ✅
Modern gas heaters and electric stoves don’t work without power.
What you need:
- ☐ Camp stove / gas stove with a stock of gas canisters (at least 5–10)
- ☐ Alternative: kerosene heater or other non-electric heater
- ☐ Pot and pan compatible with your camp stove
- ☐ Lighter / matches (store in a waterproof container)
👉 The Best Camp Stoves for a Blackout Reviewed →
👉 Stove Without Power: All Options at a Glance →
👉 Cooking During a Blackout: How It’s Done →
Area 5: Power and Energy ✅
What you need:
- ☐ Power bank (20,000 mAh+) — always fully charged
- ☐ Car charging cable if you have a vehicle
- ☐ Spare batteries (AA, AAA) for all devices in the household
- ☐ Optional: balcony solar panel as a longer-term power source
👉 Balcony Solar Panel Review: Generate Power Off-Grid →
👉 Power During a Blackout: How to Supply Yourself →
Area 6: Communication and Information ✅
During a blackout it’s important to receive information from authorities — and to stay in contact with your family.
What you need:
- ☐ Hand-crank radio — receives emergency broadcasts without power and without internet
- ☐ Keep your phone fully charged at all times (power bank as backup)
- ☐ Important phone numbers printed out — not just stored on your phone
- ☐ Meeting point agreed with family in case phones go down
👉 The Best Hand-Crank Radio for a Blackout Reviewed →
Area 7: Health and First Aid ✅
What you need:
- ☐ Complete first aid kit
- ☐ Medication supply — regular medications for at least 4 weeks
- ☐ Pain relief, fever reducers, anti-diarrheal (OTC)
- ☐ Disinfectant, bandaging materials, tweezers
- ☐ Refresh first aid knowledge (take a course)
Area 8: Cash and Documents ✅
Debit cards and credit cards don’t work without power.
What you need:
- ☐ At least $200–$300 cash in small bills ($5, $10, $20) kept at home
- ☐ Important documents copied and stored waterproof: ID, passport, insurance cards, vaccination record
- ☐ USB drive with digital copies of the most important documents
The Complete Blackout Checklist at a Glance
Want all these points in a clear, printable checklist?
👉 Blackout Checklist: Be Optimally Prepared →
Or get our free instant checklist as a PDF:
👉 Download Free PDF Checklist →
Verdict: Blackout-Proof Your Home in 3 Steps
- This week: Stock up on water + buy a flashlight + buy candles
- This month: Build up a food supply + buy a camp stove + get a power bank
- Long term: Hand-crank radio + complete first aid kit + emergency backpack
For a complete emergency backpack with everything important in one grab:
👉 The Best Emergency Backpacks Reviewed — for Singles, Couples, and Families →