Who to check on during a blackout, how to help safely, where warming centres fit in, and how to build a simple street plan ahead of time.
- Check first on older adults, medical device users, families with infants and anyone alone.
- Knock, ask simple questions and call emergency services if someone seems unwell.
- Agree on a simple street plan before the next outage.
Outages are harder on some people than others. An older neighbour on the third floor, a family with a newborn or someone who relies on medical equipment can be in real trouble within hours. A quick, kind check-in is often the most useful thing a neighbour can do, and it costs nothing.
This guide explains who to look in on, how to do it safely and how to make it easy next time.
Who to check on first
- Older adults, especially those who live alone or have limited mobility.
- People who use oxygen, a CPAP, a powered wheelchair, a medical fridge or other equipment that needs electricity. See medical devices in a power outage.
- Families with infants and toddlers.
- People with health conditions, disabilities or no vehicle.
- New neighbours, who may not know who to call.
- Anyone with pets or livestock who may need help.
Our guide on preparing older adults for outages adds more detail.
How to check in safely
- Go in daylight if you can, and bring a flashlight or headlamp.
- Knock or call out from the door. Do not enter a home unless invited, unless you believe someone is in immediate danger.
- Ask simple questions: Are you warm or cool enough? Do you have water and food? Do you need medication or a charge for a device? Do you have a way to call for help?
- Do not force entry or take over. Offer help and let people decide.
- Keep your visit short in cold or hot weather and know when to call for professional help.
If someone seems confused, extremely cold or hot, or ill, call emergency services. Signs of cold exposure include uncontrollable shivering, drowsiness and slurred speech. Signs of heat illness include a high body temperature, dizziness, nausea or confusion. Do not wait.
Warming and cooling centres
Many towns and cities open warming centres in winter outages and cooling centres in heat waves. Libraries, community halls, schools and recreation centres are common locations. To find one, check your city or county website, local social media, local radio or call 211 where available, or the local emergency line your region uses. Because plans change, confirm details before travelling, and think about how a neighbour without a car will get there. Offer a ride if you can do so safely and if road conditions allow.
If you take someone to a centre, bring their medications, ID, phone charger and a change of clothes. Let a family member know where they are going.
Ways to help without taking risks
- Share a hot drink or a meal made on a safe outdoor stove, keeping food safety in mind.
- Offer to charge a phone with a power bank or in your car (run outdoors only).
- Share water, batteries or a flashlight.
- Help carry water or clear snow from a path, if you are healthy enough.
- Pass on information from the utility or local authorities, but only what is confirmed.
- Stay out of dangerous situations: downed power lines, flooded areas, unstable trees or icy roofs.
Never touch downed lines or anything they touch. Call the utility or emergency services.
Build a simple street plan before the next one
Good neighbourhoods are prepared ahead of time. Try this:
- Make a list of nearby households, with phone numbers if people agree to share them.
- Ask who has medical needs or who would like a check-in, and keep that list private.
- Pick a meeting point such as a porch, lobby or hall.
- Share what skills or gear people have, like a first aid course, a camp stove or a chainsaw.
- Agree on a signal, like a card in the window that says "OK" or "Need help".
Pair this with your own family communication plan. Check, too, how apartment residents can organize using our apartment outage prep guide. Being a prepared neighbour makes the whole street safer.
Quick answers
How do I find a warming centre?
Check your city or county website, local radio and social media, or call 211 where it is available. Confirm details before travelling.
Should I go inside a neighbour's home?
Only if invited, or if you believe someone is in immediate danger and you cannot get a response. Otherwise knock, call out and offer help from the door.