0–15 minutes
Check if it's just your home. Report the outage. Unplug sensitive electronics.
Source: USDA [USDA SOURCE URL]Free printable plan
When the power goes out, you'll know exactly what to do.
A free, printable outage plan for your home: what to do in the first hour, what food is still safe, and how much backup power you actually need.
Written in plain English Based on USDA, CDC and manufacturer guidance Free, no credit card
A useful first step
The first 48 hours of an outage
Know what to do first, and what to check as time passes.
1 hour
Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Find flashlights, not candles.
Source: USDA [USDA SOURCE URL]4 hours
USDA guidance: a closed refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours. After that, check the keep-or-toss chart.
Source: USDA [USDA SOURCE URL]24–48 hours
A full, closed freezer holds temperature for about 48 hours (about 24 if half full), per USDA.
Source: USDA [USDA SOURCE URL]The plan covers every step in detail, with checklists you can print.
Get the free plan ↓About 20 pages, made to print
What's inside the plan
The First 60 Minutes
A one-page action card for when the lights go out.
Is It Still Safe to Eat?
Fridge and freezer timeline with a keep-or-toss chart, based on USDA guidance.
What Your Appliances Really Draw
A wattage reference for 30 common household items.
Your Backup Power Worksheet
List what must stay on, for how long, and get your own number.
Staying Warm (or Cool) Without Power
Practical steps, including frozen pipes.
Generator and Battery Safety
Carbon monoxide rules and safe connection basics.
Your Family and Medical Plan
Devices, contacts and utility outage numbers on one page.
Bonus: The 15-Minute Electric Bill Audit
A short worksheet to review the parts of your bill.
BACKUP POWER WORKSHEETPLAN / 01
List what must stay on, for how long, and get your own number.
| Item | Running watts | Hours needed | Watt-hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example only; check your appliance label. | [SOURCE NEEDED] | ||
A simple place to begin
Not sure where to start?
Answer 9 quick questions and see your estimated yearly electricity cost and the options that fit your home. No email needed.
Browse by topic
Practical answers, organized by what you need
Outage ReadinessPlans, checklists and food safety for when the grid goes down.Lower Your BillFind out what really drives your bill and what's worth changing.Backup PowerPower stations, generators and solar kits, explained without the sales pitch.Scam WatchHonest breakdowns of [PLACEHOLDER: approved wording needed] and miracle-device offers.
Check the claim
Seen ads for a [PLACEHOLDER: approved wording needed] device?
You're not the only one. Many online offers promise tiny devices that slash your bill or power your whole home. We look at what these products actually are, what physics allows, and what genuinely works for backup power and lower bills.
Read our honest breakdowns →Our standards
How we work
We don't promise miracles. No [PLACEHOLDER: approved wording needed] or [PLACEHOLDER: approved standards wording needed].
We show our sources. Safety and food guidance comes from USDA, CDC and manufacturer documentation.
We tell you when we earn money. Some links earn us a commission. We say so, and it never decides what we recommend.
We'd recommend it to our own family. If we wouldn't use it at home, it isn't on this site.
From the guide library
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Outage Readiness
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Compare the limits, fuel, operating rules and power needs.
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Lower Your Bill
What Uses the Most Electricity in Your Home?
Start with your own bill and appliance information.
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Lower Your Bill
The 15-Minute Electric Bill Audit
A short checklist for reading your latest electric bill.
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Scam Watch
[PLACEHOLDER: approved guide title needed]
A careful guide to checking extraordinary product claims.
5 min readCommon questions
Before you download
Is the plan really free?
The plan is free, but email delivery is not connected yet. This preview will not send an email.
Do I need technical knowledge?
No. Everything is written in plain English, and the worksheets walk you through the math.
Will you try to sell me something?
We send practical tips by email. Sometimes we recommend products we trust, and we always say when a link earns us a commission. You never have to buy anything.
Can I print it?
Yes. It's designed to be printed and kept somewhere easy to find, like the fridge or a kitchen drawer.
Is this professional electrical advice?
No. It's an educational planning guide. Always follow manufacturer instructions, and use a licensed electrician for anything connected to your home's wiring.
How do I unsubscribe?
Every email has a one-click unsubscribe link at the bottom.
A plan to keep close
Make your plan before the next outage, not during it.