Guides
Practical answers for keeping a household going when the power is out. Safety advice comes from the CPSC, NFPA, Ready.gov, USDA and manufacturer manuals, and each page lists its sources.
Power outages
Getting through an outage, before, during and after.
How long does food last in the fridge without power?
A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours and a full freezer for about 48. What the USDA says to keep, what to throw out, and how to buy more time.
What to do during a power outage
A checklist for the first hour and the days after: reporting the outage, protecting food and medical devices, staying warm or cool, and running a generator without carbon monoxide risk.
How to prepare for a power outage
Make a list of what needs power, choose how you'll keep it running, and get the safety gear, water and food in place before the next storm.
Power station vs generator for home backup
A battery power station runs silently indoors until its charge runs out. A generator runs outside for as long as you refuel it. How to choose between them, and when it makes sense to have both.
Generator safety
Carbon monoxide, rain and house wiring. Each page links the CPSC, NFPA or manufacturer guidance it relies on.
Generator carbon monoxide safety: distance, garages and CO alarms
Run a portable generator outside only, at least 20 feet from the house, never in a garage. The CPSC and NFPA rules, the symptoms of CO poisoning, and what CO shut-off actually does.
Can you run a generator in the rain?
Rain on a running generator is a shock and electrocution risk, and the garage is never the answer. What the CPSC and manufacturers say about covers, cords and wet weather.
Generator backfeeding and interlock kits: what's safe and what needs an electrician
Plugging a generator into a wall or dryer outlet can electrocute utility workers. How a transfer switch or an interlock kit connects a generator safely, and why both need a licensed electrician.