Prepare for a 3 day blackout in Canada: water, food, heat, light and phone power by the numbers, plus what to do hour by hour.
Key takeaways
- Three days is the standard Canadian planning target (72 hours).
- Per person: about 12 litres of water and food that needs no cooking.
- Heat and phone power are the two gaps most households miss.
A 3 day (72 hour) outage is the standard planning target in Canada, and the most likely long outage you will face. Here is what to have and what to do.
The numbers for 3 days
- Water: about 4 litres per person per day, so 12 litres per person. See the water guide.
- Food: no-cook meals, see the 3 day menu.
- Light: flashlights or headlamps and spare batteries.
- Phone power: power banks, or a power station.
- Heat: blankets, warm clothes, and a safe heat plan. See the winter outage guide.
What to do
- Hour 1: check if it is local, report it, grab light and water.
- Day 1: keep fridge and freezer closed, eat perishables first, conserve phone battery.
- Days 2 to 3: check on neighbours, keep warm, and use stored food.
Safety: never run a generator, barbecue or camp stove indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide has no smell.
Full checklist: 72 hour checklist.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Best for |
|---|---|
| BBLUETTI | Large lineup, expandable home systems |
| JJackery | Wide range, compact to home backup sizes |
A
Anker SOLIX
Power stations and solar generators with fast charging. Compare capacity and warranty.
B
BLUETTILarge lineup, expandable home systems
Larger capacity power stations that can run a fridge, with expandable batteries.
- Broad capacity range
- Expandable home-backup options
- Compare battery chemistry and stated cycle life
J
JackeryWide range, compact to home backup sizes
Popular portable power stations and solar kits for short outages.
- Has a Canadian storeHas a US store
- Small, mid and large models
- Compare capacity, output and warranty on the maker page
Quick answers
How much water do I need for a 3 day blackout?
About 4 litres per person per day, so 12 litres per person.
What food is best?
Food that needs no cooking: canned goods, crackers, nut butter, dried fruit.
How do I keep my phone charged?
Use power banks or a portable power station, and conserve battery.
Keep reading
Related72-hour checklistFree and printable.Read next →Related3 Day Emergency Meal Plan: No Cook MenuA 3 day emergency meal plan with a no-cook menu and a few one-pot options, plus tips on water, portions and what to buy ahead of a power outage.Read next →RelatedBlackout Warning 2026 in Canada: What to Do TodaySaw a blackout warning for Canada? What it does and does not mean, and a short list of what to do today to be ready for 72 hours.Read next →Related72 Hour Power Outage: An Hour by Hour PlanA simple hour by hour plan for a 3 day power outage: the first hour, the first night, day two and day three, with food, water, heat and safety steps.Read next →