Know what your employer, school and daycare will do in an outage, who picks up the kids, and how to keep working. Questions to ask before it happens.
- Ask your employer, school and daycare how they handle outages before one happens.
- Keep contact details current and list approved pickup adults.
- Share a one page plan with everyone who helps with the kids.
Most outage plans focus on the home, but outages do not wait until you are home. They hit in the middle of a workday, during school hours or while the kids are at daycare. The people who cope best are the ones who asked a few simple questions beforehand. This guide helps you find answers from your employer, your children's school and childcare provider, and turn them into a family plan.
Questions to ask your employer
Many workplaces have an emergency plan, but employees rarely read it. Ask your manager or HR:
- If power goes out, do we stay, go home or move to another site?
- How will staff be told? Text, email, phone tree or an app?
- Is there backup power, and what does it cover (lights, exits, servers, elevators)?
- Will I be paid for the time? What counts as a closure?
- Can I work remotely, and what equipment would I need at home?
If you work from home, the plan is yours to build. See working from home during a power outage, UPS vs power station for a home office and how to keep Wi-Fi on. Save important files to a cloud service or a USB drive so an unexpected shutdown does not cost you work.
Questions to ask the school or daycare
Schools and childcare centres have their own emergency procedures, and they are usually written down. Ask for a copy or look on the website. Useful questions include:
- What happens if the power fails during the day? Will classes continue, close early or move?
- How will parents be notified, and which contact method should I make sure is current?
- Where will kids wait, and who is allowed to pick them up?
- Is there a plan for kids with medical needs, allergies or devices that need power?
- What happens to meals, bus routes and after school programs?
Keep your contact details and emergency contacts current. If the school phone lines get busy, text messages or email may arrive first.
Set up a pickup plan
An outage can also cause traffic lights to fail, transit delays and jammed phone networks. Decide ahead of time who will collect the children if you cannot. Give the school or daycare a list of approved adults, and make sure those people know they are on it. Agree on one meeting place if you cannot get home, and one out of area contact everyone can call or message. Our family emergency communication plan walks through the steps.
Prepare the kids
Children cope better when they know what to expect. Explain in simple words that if the lights go out at school, the teachers know what to do, and that you have a plan. Make sure older kids know your phone number, a backup number and the address of home. Pack a small comfort item and a note with emergency contacts in their bag. For the home side, see how to entertain kids during a power outage.
If you have a baby or toddler in care, send extra supplies, as covered in our baby and toddler supplies guide.
Prepare yourself
Keep a small kit at work or in your car: a power bank, a flashlight, water, a snack, comfortable shoes, and any medication you need. Read how to keep phones charged for tips on power banks. If your commute involves a long drive, a winter car kit is wise (see the winter car emergency kit).
Write the whole plan on one page and share it with your partner, grandparents and caregivers. Review it once a year, ideally at the start of the school year.
Finally, remember that an outage at work or school may also be the start of a bigger event, such as a storm. Check your alerts and outage reporting sources before you travel home, and give yourself extra time on the road, since traffic signals may be dark.
Quick answers
Will schools close in a power outage?
It depends on the school, the length of the outage and local rules. Ask for the written emergency procedure.
What should I keep at work for an outage?
A power bank, flashlight, water, a snack, comfortable shoes and any needed medication.
How will the school contact me?
Usually by text, email, phone or an app. Confirm your details are current and ask which one they use first.