Saw 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.
- You can cover the essentials in a few hours with items most homes already have.
- Do water, light and phone power first, then food and heat.
- Do not panic buy. Fill gaps in a 72 hour kit.
If a blackout warning has you worried, here is a calm one-day action list. It works whether the warning is for your area or you just want to be ready. Nothing here needs special gear.
In the next hour
- Charge phones, power banks and laptops.
- Find flashlights and a battery radio. Check the batteries.
- Fill clean containers with drinking water. Plan on 4 litres per person per day.
Later today
- Pull together food that needs no cooking: canned food, crackers, nut butter, dried fruit.
- Set the fridge and freezer to cold and keep doors closed during an outage.
- Locate blankets, warm clothes and a safe heat plan. Never use a barbecue or camp stove indoors.
- Withdraw a little cash and fill the car's gas tank if you drive.
- List medications and any medical devices that need power. See our medical device guide.
This week
Build up from one day to 72 hours, then a week, using the staged supply list. Check what the news actually says before reacting to a headline.
Backup power
A power station or power bank keeps phones and lights going. Size one with the sizing guide.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Best for |
|---|---|
| BBLUETTI | Large lineup, expandable home systems |
| JJackery | Wide range, compact to home backup sizes |
Power stations and solar generators with fast charging. Compare capacity and warranty.
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
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
What should I do first when there is a blackout warning?
Charge devices, find lights, and store drinking water. Then food, heat and medications.
How much water per person?
About 4 litres per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene.
Do I need to buy a lot of supplies?
No. Start with what you have and fill gaps in a 72 hour kit.