The moment the power goes out, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed and check that everyone in the house is safe and accounted for. A closed fridge holds a safe temperature for about four hours, and a full freezer for roughly 48 hours, so the food clock only starts ticking if you keep opening the door. Everything else you do in the first few minutes is about staying safe in the dark, not about fixing the outage yourself.
Most outages are short and routine. The real dangers come from how people respond to them: candles, gas stoves used for heat, and generators run too close to the house. Handle those three things correctly and the rest is just patience.
⚠️ Never run a generator indoors
Portable generators give off carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that can kill within minutes. The CDC says to run a generator outside only, more than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent, with the exhaust pointed away from the house. Never use one in a garage, basement, shed, or on a balcony, even with the door open. Put a battery-powered CO alarm near sleeping areas, and never burn a gas stove, oven, or charcoal grill indoors for heat.
What to do during a power outage, step by step
Work through these in order. The first few are about safety; the last few keep you comfortable and help the power come back faster.
- Check that everyone is safe. Make sure family members and pets are accounted for, and grab a flashlight before you move around. Stay far away from any downed power lines outside and assume every fallen line is live.
- Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator keeps food safe for about four hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full). Decide what you need before you open the door, then close it quickly.
- Unplug sensitive electronics and turn off major appliances. When power is restored it can come back with a surge that damages computers, TVs, and anything with a circuit board. Unplug them, or switch off the breaker, and leave one light on so you know the moment power returns.
- Use flashlights, not candles. Open flames are a leading cause of house fires during outages. Reach for flashlights, headlamps, or battery lanterns instead, and keep spare batteries where you can find them in the dark.
- Run any generator outside only. If you use a portable generator, place it more than 20 feet from the house with the exhaust facing away, and run cords inside through a window or door. Never run it in a garage, basement, or enclosed porch.
- Stay warm or cool the safe way. In the cold, layer clothing, close off unused rooms, and gather everyone in one space; never heat your home with a gas stove or oven. In the heat, move to the lowest level of the house, drink water, and go to a public cooling center if it gets dangerous.
- Check on neighbors and report the outage. Look in on older adults, people with medical equipment, and anyone who may need help. Then report the outage to your electric utility by phone or app so they know your address is affected.
How long your food stays safe
The four-hour fridge and 48-hour freezer windows only hold if the doors stay shut. Once the power is off for four hours or more, perishable food that has been above 40°F needs to go. When in doubt, throw it out. For the full timing chart and what is safe to refreeze, see our guide to food safety during a power outage.
Staying warm or cool without power
How you handle temperature is the difference between an inconvenient night and a real emergency, especially for kids, older adults, and anyone with a health condition. Our walkthroughs on how to stay warm during a power outage and how to stay cool during a power outage cover safe heating, cooling, and when to leave for a shelter.
Keep your essentials running
If outages are common where you live, a portable power station or generator can keep the fridge, a few lights, and medical devices going without the carbon monoxide risk of running an engine near the house. Use our Power-Station Sizing calculator to figure out how much capacity you need, then check the Appliance Runtime calculator to see how long it will keep your essentials running.
Frequently asked questions
How long will food last in the fridge during a power outage?
An unopened refrigerator keeps food safe for about four hours. A full freezer holds a safe temperature for about 48 hours, or 24 hours if it is only half full. After four hours without power, discard perishable items such as meat, dairy, and leftovers that have been warmer than 40°F.
Is it safe to run a generator in my garage?
No. Portable generators produce carbon monoxide, which builds up quickly in enclosed spaces and can be deadly even with the garage door open. The CDC advises running a generator outside only, more than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent, with the exhaust directed away from your home.
Should I unplug appliances during a power outage?
Yes. When power comes back it can surge and damage electronics. Unplug computers, televisions, and other sensitive devices, or switch off their breakers, and leave one lamp on so you can tell when service is restored.
Why shouldn’t I use candles for light?
Candles are a common cause of fires during outages, especially when people are tired or moving around in the dark. Flashlights, headlamps, and battery-powered lanterns give safer, steadier light with no flame.
How do I report a power outage?
Contact your electric utility directly by phone or through their app or website. If the outage is not caused by a problem inside your own home, reporting it tells the utility your address is affected and helps them locate and fix the fault faster.