Power & Lighting

Before buying equipment, decide what must continue working during an outage.

Your priorities may include:

• Mobile phones
• Weather information
• Medical equipment
• Refrigeration
• Fans
• Basic lighting
• Internet equipment
• Radios
• Small appliances
• Battery charging

Separate true needs from conveniences.

A smaller system designed around essential loads is often more dependable and affordable than trying to power an entire household.

Power Planning

The preparedness guide explains:

• Which household needs should receive priority
• How to prepare for extended outages
• How to manage food, heat, communication, and medical needs
• How to use backup power safely
• How to conserve available energy

Power Gear

This page explains:

• The major equipment categories
• What each type of equipment can support
• How to build a layered system
• What specifications matter
• How to store, test, and maintain equipment
• Where specific products fit into the larger plan

Keep dependable light within reach.

Personal lighting includes:

• Headlamps
• Compact flashlights
• Keychain lights
• Clip-on lights
• Small emergency beacons

A headlamp is especially useful because it leaves both hands available for carrying supplies, checking equipment, or completing repairs.

Each household member should have access to a personal light source.

Area Lighting

Illuminate rooms, work areas, and shared spaces.

Area-lighting options include:

• Battery lanterns
• Rechargeable lanterns
• USB lights
• String lights
• Magnetic work lights
• Motion-activated lights

Use lower-output settings whenever possible to extend runtime.

Multiple smaller lights placed where needed may be more practical than one extremely bright lantern.

Battery Banks

Keep phones and small electronics charged.

Portable power banks can support:

• Mobile phones
• Small radios
• Rechargeable lights
• Tablets
• USB fans
• Certain small medical devices

Choose units with enough capacity for the devices you intend to charge.

Keep matching cables and adapters stored with each power bank.

Portable Power Stations

Support larger devices without running an engine.

Portable power stations may be useful for:

• Communications equipment
• Laptops
• Fans
• Lighting
• Small refrigerators
• Medical devices
• Limited appliance use

Capacity, output, weight, charging speed, battery chemistry, and available ports all matter.

A power station should be selected around a defined load plan rather than purchased solely by size.

Solar Charging

Create a renewable way to replenish stored power.

Portable solar panels may help recharge:

• Power banks
• Power stations
• USB devices
• Battery chargers

Solar performance depends on available sunlight, panel placement, weather, temperature, and compatibility with the connected equipment.

Solar works best as part of a larger system rather than as the only charging method.

Portable Generators

Provide higher-output backup for longer outages.

Generators may support:

• Refrigeration
• Larger medical equipment
• Selected household circuits
• Battery charging
• Fans
• Pumps
• Limited appliance use

Generators require a complete safety and fuel plan.

That includes outdoor placement, carbon monoxide protection, proper cords or transfer equipment, maintenance, refueling procedures, and secure storage.

Vehicle-Based Power

Use your vehicle as one layer of the backup system.

Vehicle power options may include:

• USB charging ports
• 12-volt outlets
• Vehicle inverters
• EV power-export features
• Charging while driving
• Portable equipment stored in the vehicle

Do not assume every vehicle outlet can power every device.

Check the vehicle manual, outlet rating, inverter limits, and equipment requirements before connecting larger loads.

A resilient system should not depend on one device.

Layer One: Individual Lighting and Charging

Begin with:

• Headlamp for each person
• Small flashlight
• Phone charging cable
• Portable power bank
• Spare or rechargeable batteries

This layer supports immediate movement and communication.

Layer Two: Shared Household Power

Add:

• Lanterns
• Larger battery banks
• USB fans
• Weather radio
• Rechargeable lights
• Multi-port charging equipment

This helps the household function through shorter outages.

Layer Three: Portable Stored Energy

Add a power station sized for selected devices such as:

• Medical equipment
• Communications
• Fans
• Refrigeration
• Laptops
• Additional lighting

Use a written load priority list so everyone understands which devices should be connected first.

Layer Four: Extended Generation

For longer outages, consider:

• Portable generator
• Installed standby generator
• Solar charging
• Additional stored fuel where lawful and safe
• Additional battery storage

Generation equipment adds capability but also requires greater cost, maintenance, storage, and safety planning.

Two specifications matter when comparing backup power equipment.

Capacity

Capacity describes how much energy the unit can store.

Higher capacity generally supports longer runtime, but it also adds cost and weight.

Output

Output describes how much power the unit can provide at one time.

A unit may have enough stored energy for a device but still be unable to handle that device’s operating or startup demand.

Before purchasing equipment:

• Identify the devices you want to run.
• Find their power requirements.
• Account for startup surges.
• Decide how many devices may run together.
• Leave room below the equipment’s maximum output.

Build a simple household priority list.

Priority One: Life and Safety

Examples:

• Medical devices
• Emergency communication
• Essential lighting
• Refrigerated medication

Priority Two: Food and Temperature

Examples:

• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• Fans
• Limited cooling
• Food preparation equipment

Priority Three: Communication and Work

Examples:

• Phones
• Internet equipment
• Laptop
• Radio
• Television for official updates

Priority Four: Comfort

Examples:

• Entertainment
• Additional lighting
• Convenience appliances
• Nonessential electronics

This list helps prevent available power from being consumed by lower-priority devices.

Do not depend on one flashlight or one room lantern.

A useful lighting system includes:

Personal Light

A headlamp or flashlight assigned to each person.

Room Light

Lanterns or low-output lights for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and common spaces.

Task Light

Focused lighting for repairs, cooking, first aid, or equipment checks.

Exterior Light

Weather-resistant lighting for doorways, vehicles, generators, and safe movement outside.

Emergency Marker

Reflective or flashing devices that help identify hazards or signal for assistance.

Different lights solve different problems.

The brightest light is not always the most useful.

Consider:

• Low-power modes
• Runtime
• Beam pattern
• Rechargeability
• Replaceable batteries
• Water resistance
• Impact resistance
• Ease of use
• Whether controls can be operated in the dark
• Whether the light can stand, hang, clip, or mount

A moderate-output light that runs all night may be more useful than an extremely bright light that drains quickly.

Too many battery types create unnecessary complexity.

Whenever practical, standardize around:

• A small number of replaceable battery sizes
• USB-C charging
• Shared charging cables
• Common adapters
• Clearly labeled battery storage

Store spare batteries in a dry, protected container.

Do not mix old and new batteries in the same device.

Inspect rechargeable batteries and power banks for swelling, leakage, corrosion, or physical damage.

A generator is not complete without the equipment needed to use it safely.

A complete generator setup may require:

• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Outdoor operating location
• Generator cover or weather protection designed for safe operation
• Properly rated extension cords
• Transfer equipment installed by a qualified professional
• Fuel containers
• Fuel stabilizer where appropriate
• Engine oil
• Funnel
• Fire extinguisher
• Security cable
• Maintenance supplies
• Hearing protection

Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, shed, vehicle, enclosed porch, or other enclosed or partly enclosed space.

Never connect a generator directly to household wiring through an improvised outlet connection.

Generators depend on an available and safely managed fuel supply.

Before relying on one, consider:

• Fuel type
• Expected consumption
• Safe storage capacity
• Local storage rules
• Fuel rotation
• Availability after a storm
• Refueling safety
• Noise
• Maintenance

Allow a generator to cool before refueling.

Store fuel only in approved containers and away from living spaces, heat, sparks, and ignition sources.

A generator without a workable fuel plan may provide less resilience than expected.

Households using powered medical equipment should not rely on casual estimates.

Document:

• Device power requirements
• Battery runtime
• Charging requirements
• Startup demand
• Approved backup methods
• Manufacturer instructions
• Medical provider recommendations
• Alternate locations with power
• Evacuation thresholds

Test backup equipment with the actual medical device before hurricane season whenever appropriate.

Critical medical needs may require evacuation rather than relying solely on household backup power.

Keeping a refrigerator or freezer operating can preserve food, but it should be balanced against other needs.

Consider:

• Appliance operating demand
• Startup demand
• How often the door is opened
• Available power capacity
• Generator runtime
• Fuel availability
• Whether refrigeration is needed for medication
• The value of the stored food compared with the cost and complexity of backup power

A small dedicated refrigerator or efficient cooler system may sometimes be easier to support than the household’s full-size appliances.

Running central air conditioning usually requires a much larger backup system.

Smaller alternatives may include:

• Rechargeable fans
• USB fans
• Efficient room fans
• Portable power stations
• Limited room cooling
• Shade and ventilation strategies

Heat risk should be part of the household’s evacuation decision, especially for older adults, infants, pets, and people with medical conditions.

Backup power does not automatically make an unsafe home environment safe.

A mobile power kit may include:

• 12-volt charger
• USB-C car charger
• Charging cables
• Power banks
• Small power station
• Compact solar panel
• Rechargeable lantern
• Headlamps
• Spare batteries

Keep charging equipment accessible rather than buried beneath luggage.

Do not leave heat-sensitive lithium batteries in a hot vehicle longer than necessary.

Power gear should be inspected on a schedule.

Check:

• Battery charge level
• Swollen or damaged batteries
• Cable condition
• Corroded contacts
• Generator oil
• Generator starting ability
• Stored fuel condition
• Solar-panel cables
• Extension cords
• Light operation
• Carbon monoxide detector batteries
• Product recalls and manufacturer notices

Create a recurring inspection at the beginning and end of hurricane season.

Equipment that has not been tested is only assumed to work.

A useful test should go beyond switching each device on.

Complete a practice outage:

1. Turn off nonessential household power for several hours.
2. Use only your planned backup equipment.
3. Charge phones and radios.
4. Run selected fans or medical devices.
5. Test lighting in every important area.
6. Measure how quickly stored power declines.
7. Practice solar recharging if included.
8. Start and operate the generator safely.
9. Locate cords and adapters in the dark.
10. Update the load plan based on what you learn.

A practice outage reveals missing cables, unrealistic runtime expectations, and poor equipment placement.

Buying Capacity Without Defining the Load

Start with the devices you need to support.

Depending on One Large Device

Build multiple layers so one failure does not disable the entire system.

Choosing Lights Only by Brightness

Runtime and usability matter just as much.

Leaving Power Banks Discharged

Recharge and inspect them regularly.

Forgetting Cables and Adapters

Store compatible accessories with the device.

Ignoring Startup Demand

Motors and compressors may briefly require more power than their normal operating level.

Running a Generator Too Close to the Home

Carbon monoxide can enter through doors, windows, vents, and other openings.

Backfeeding Household Wiring

Use properly installed transfer equipment rather than improvised connections.

Storing Fuel Improperly

Fuel requires approved containers and safe storage.

Expecting Solar to Work the Same in Every Condition

Weather, shade, panel angle, and available daylight affect charging.

Trying to Power the Entire Home

Prioritize essential loads instead.

Personal Equipment

✔ Headlamp for each household member
✔ Compact flashlight
✔ Phone charging cable
✔ Portable power bank
✔ Spare or rechargeable batteries

Shared Household Equipment

✔ Lanterns
✔ Weather radio
✔ Multi-port charging equipment
✔ USB or battery fans
✔ Task lighting
✔ Carbon monoxide detectors

Extended Outage Equipment

✔ Portable power station
✔ Compatible charging cables
✔ Solar panels, if used
✔ Generator, if appropriate
✔ Proper extension cords or transfer equipment
✔ Approved fuel containers
✔ Generator maintenance supplies
✔ Written load priority list

Inspection and Testing

✔ Batteries charged
✔ Lights tested
✔ Power station tested under load
✔ Generator started and maintained
✔ Cables labeled
✔ Fuel rotated
✔ Carbon monoxide detectors tested
✔ Household members trained

We believe backup power equipment should be:

Layered

The household has multiple options rather than one point of failure.

Load-Driven

Equipment is selected around actual devices and priorities.

Safe

Generators, fuel, cords, batteries, and household connections are used correctly.

Maintainable

Equipment can be charged, tested, repaired, and inspected.

Understandable

Household members know how the system works.

Portable Where Needed

Critical lighting and charging can travel during an evacuation.

Realistic

The system reflects the household’s budget, storage, medical needs, and likely outage duration.

The goal is not to recreate normal grid service.

It is to maintain essential capability safely.

The Product Recommendations section can compare specific options such as:

• Headlamps
• Flashlights
• Lanterns
• Power banks
• USB fans
• Portable power stations
• Solar panels
• Generators
• Extension cords
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• Battery chargers
• Vehicle inverters

Recommendations can be organized by:

• Personal kit
• Apartment
• Family home
• Vehicle
• Medical needs
• Budget
• Outage duration
• Portability

Button: View Power & Lighting Recommendations

Continue building your backup system:

• Power & Lighting Preparedness Guide – Plan for outages and prioritize essential needs.
• Home Preparation – Prepare the home before the storm.
• Vehicle Gear – Build mobile charging and lighting capability.
• Bug Out Kits – Add portable lighting and power to evacuation bags.
• Medical & Safety – Plan for powered medical equipment and carbon monoxide risks.
• Communications – Keep radios, phones, and alerts available.
• Product Recommendations – Compare specific equipment options.

A dependable backup system does not begin with the largest generator or power station.

It begins with a list of essential needs.

Provide every household member with personal lighting.

Add independent phone charging.

Build shared power for communication, fans, medical needs, and refrigeration where required.

Then add larger generation equipment only when you understand the complete system needed to operate it safely.