Essential Items & Equipment for Blackout Preparedness
After ensuring an adequate water supply and a durable food stock, you should definitely acquire a few more items and tools in preparation for a blackout.
With a hand-cranked, power-free radio, you can receive important information about the current situation, battery-powered flashlights provide light at night, and power banks and emergency generators allow you to independently power small electrical devices.
A sufficient stockpile of important medications & hygiene items, as well as a first aid kit, ensure that you and your family stay healthy during a blackout. Enough gasoline for the emergency generator, gas for cooking, and a small supply of cash should not be forgotten in your blackout preparations.
Before you store the recommended equipment, give it a good functional and endurance test and ensure that you know how to use each item properly.
💡 Tip It's best to keep all items well organized in lockable boxes in your living space or basement, so they can be quickly found in an emergency, even in the dark.
Checklist
Information & Light Sources
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Heat Sources
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Self-Generated Power Sources
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First Aid, Medication & Hygiene
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Once you have acquired all the important items, you can create your Emergency Plan →, set up your Water Supply →, and ensure enough Food Supply →.
Notes & Usage
Receiving Information via Crank Radio
During a blackout, you can try to receive information about the current situation from official sources with your crank radio. Since it's unclear which frequency will be broadcasting in an emergency, you should scan through the radio frequencies several times a day. Some crank radios also serve as portable power banks for charging, e.g., your phone or portable lamps.
Light Sources
At night, you'll need light sources like flashlights or long-lasting LED lamps to avoid complete darkness. You can charge the battery of rechargeable lamps during the day using power banks or solar energy to ensure a nightly light source. In an emergency, you can also resort to candlelight.
Generating Heat, Even in Winter
It's possible that a blackout event could occur in winter.
If you have access to a fireplace or wood stove, it's advisable to stockpile a corresponding amount of firewood.
💡 Tip Test in advance how much wood you use per hour and how long the wood stove needs to burn each day to supply enough heat for your living space.
Alternatively, a gas heater attachment for gas bottles can provide long-term warmth. In addition, warming emergency blankets are recommended to help you survive a few days without heating, even in cold winter.
Gas consumption depends on the power, measured in kilowatts (kW), of the heater attachment.
With 1 kW power, the average consumption is about 100 grams of gas per hour.
Therefore, an attachment with about 4 kW power consumes approximately 400 grams of gas per hour.
Consequently, with a 5 kg propane gas bottle, you can generate about 12 hours of heat.
Storing or Generating Your Own Power
Smaller electronic devices, such as a phone, can be charged with prepared USB power banks. Subsequently, you can recharge the power banks with solar panels.
For autonomous power generation, a gasoline-powered emergency generator can also be used.
⚠️ Caution The emergency generator should only be operated outdoors due to exhaust fumes.
💡 Tip Calculate the hourly gasoline consumption of the generator, depending on the model, and ensure an adequate supply of fuel to maintain long-term operation.
Fuel & Gas
In a blackout, gas stations can no longer pump fuel, so if you need to travel longer distances by car in an emergency (e.g., to pick up a relative), make sure to have enough fuel in your car's tank.
💡 Tip You can make it a habit to refill when your tank is half full, so you always have at least a half tank available.
With propane gas, you can not only cook and grill but also provide warmth in your living space. An adequate supply of gas bottles can be purchased at gas stations.
⚠️ Caution Do not store gas bottles and gasoline canisters in your living space or basement. The escape of gas or gasoline vapors can lead to explosions. If possible, these containers should be stored outdoors in a sun- and weather-protected place.
Medication, First Aid & Hygiene Items
In your preparation for a blackout scenario, you should ensure to have a complete stockpile of all necessary medications. This includes personal medications as well as emergency medicines such as pain relievers that you should have readily available in case of need. To be prepared to treat minor injuries, it's also recommended to have a well-stocked first aid kit with bandages and disinfectant.
Also, remember to store a supply of hygiene items (deodorant, soap, toilet paper, menstrual hygiene products, toothpaste, tissues, etc.) to ensure you can manage for several days or weeks during a blackout without needing additional supplies.
Cash
Since ATMs cannot dispense money without power, it is advisable to keep a small amount of cash in a safe place for emergency purchases if possible.