A power outage usually lasts only a short time. But if it continues for hours or days, a few simple things at home can make a big difference. The European Commission recommends that every household be able to meet its basic needs for at least 72 hours. Below, you’ll find what’s worth keeping on hand, organized by need: light, information, charging, water and food.

Light that leaves your hands free

When the lights go out, a headlamp is the most practical tool: it shines where you look and leaves both hands free to cook, search through a cupboard, or walk downstairs. If it charges via USB, you can recharge it with a power bank too.

Light for the whole room

A flashlight illuminates one spot. To light up the whole room so you can eat, read, or let the children play, you need a lantern that you can hang up or place on the table. Choose a rechargeable one so you don’t need to keep spare batteries on hand.

So you know what’s happening

Without power, the TV and router won’t work, and it’s best to save your phone battery for essential use. A portable radio keeps you up to date with official announcements. If it can also charge using solar power, it won’t let you down, no matter how long the power takes to come back on.

So your phone never runs out of battery

Your phone is how you stay in touch with the people you care about. A high-capacity power bank, charged in advance, will keep you powered for several days. A practical tip: charge it once a month so it’s ready when you need it.

For routers, laptops, and lights

If you work from home or want to keep your internet connection running, you need something more powerful than a power bank. A power station is a portable battery with standard outlets that can power a router, laptop, and lights for several hours. If it has a UPS function, you can leave it permanently connected to your router, so your internet connection never drops.

Water for drinking, cooking, and washing

In apartment buildings, water pressure often depends on a pump that requires electricity. Keep a supply of bottled water at home for drinking, basic cooking, and essential hygiene. Six-packs of 1.5-liter bottles are easy to store in a cupboard or storeroom. Put new packs at the back and use the older ones first, so your supply stays fresh without you having to think about it.

Food that doesn't need cooking

Without electricity, the stove and oven won't work. So choose foods that keep at room temperature and can be eaten without cooking: canned tuna or corn, ready-to-eat chickpeas, nuts, and granola bars. These are foods you already eat, so you can replenish them on your next shopping trip instead of leaving them forgotten in the cupboard. Don't forget a manual can opener if your cans don't have an easy-open lid.

First aid and personal hygiene

A first-aid kit is one of those things that’s good to have in every home, whether or not the power goes out. A ready-made, fully stocked kit, such as the CarePlus First Aid Kit Emergency, saves you from having to gather all the essentials one by one. Add your regular medications to it, too.

If water becomes scarce, hygiene gets more difficult. Keep a supply of toilet paper, wet wipes for cleaning up without water, hand sanitizer, and trash bags.

A few more essentials

• Some cash, because cards may not work during a power outage
• A list of useful phone numbers, written on paper

All of this fits in a cupboard and only needs to be prepared once. Check it every few months, charge anything that needs charging, and you’ll be ready without the stress.

This article was created with the help of AI and reviewed and edited by the Skroutz team.