Power Outage Disaster Preparedness Kit

new york city
2 people
9/4/2025

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Water & Hydration

Essential Items

  • ☐Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation (3-day minimum).
  • ☐Use reliable water purification in case tap water becomes unavailable or contaminated.
  • ☐Maintain water in containers appropriate for apartment storage.

Tips

  • β€’ Keep water containers in a cool, dark place inside your apartment to prevent algae growth.
  • β€’ Rotate stored water every 6 months to ensure freshness.
  • β€’ Consider compact water filtration systems for extended outages.

Recommended Products

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

essential

Compact and effective, this water filter allows you to safely drink from questionable water sources if NYC water becomes compromised during extended outages.

Aquatainer Water Container 7 Gallon

essential

A sturdy, NSF-certified 7-gallon water storage container, ideal for safely storing emergency water in limited apartment space.

Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets

recommended

Portable and easy to use water purification tablets to treat water during emergencies when filtration is not available.

Food & Nutrition

Essential Items

  • ☐Stock non-perishable foods with long shelf lives, requiring minimal or no cooking.
  • ☐Select meals suitable for two adults with balanced nutrition.
  • ☐Consider freeze-dried and ready-to-eat options for easy preparation during power outages.

Tips

  • β€’ Rotate food supplies every 6-12 months to maintain freshness.
  • β€’ Keep a manual can opener in your kit.
  • β€’ Store foods in airtight containers to prevent pests.

Recommended Products

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff Freeze-Dried Meal

essential

Quick and easy freeze-dried meal requiring only hot water, perfect during power outages with limited cooking options.

Augason Farms 30-Day Emergency Food Supply

recommended

Comprehensive emergency food kit covering 30 days for two adults, with a variety of nutritious meals and easy preparation.

Ready Hour Emergency Meal EntrΓ©es

recommended

Ready-to-eat meal packets with a long shelf life, ideal for keeping energized during extended power interruptions.

First Aid & Medical Supplies

Essential Items

  • ☐Maintain a well-stocked first aid kit for minor injuries for two adults.
  • ☐Include cold compresses and splints for common household accidents.
  • ☐Regularly check expiration dates on medications.

Tips

  • β€’ Review first aid kit contents annually and replenish as needed.
  • β€’ Include personal prescription meds with emergency supply if applicable.
  • β€’ Learn basic first aid skills.

Recommended Products

Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose First Aid Kit

essential

Comprehensive kit with supplies for treating cuts, burns, and other minor injuries commonly encountered during household emergencies.

Ever Ready First Aid Universal Splint

recommended

Lightweight and portable splint for immobilizing injuries, useful if professional medical help is delayed during an outage.

CVS Health Instant Cold Compress

recommended

Reusable cold compress to reduce swelling and pain, essential for accidents where refrigeration is unavailable during power cuts.

Emergency Tools & Equipment

Essential Items

  • ☐Have reliable lighting and radio devices for safety and information.
  • ☐Include multi-use tools for minor repairs and opening cans.
  • ☐Keep hand-powered or battery backup devices.

Tips

  • β€’ Keep spare batteries for all battery-powered devices.
  • β€’ Test devices quarterly to ensure functionality.
  • β€’ Store tools in easily accessible locations within the apartment.

Recommended Products

Streamlight 66318 MicroStream LED Penlight

essential

Small, powerful LED flashlight easy to carry and effective during power outages in confined NYC apartment spaces.

Eton FRX3 Hand Turbine NOAA AM/FM Weather Alert Radio

essential

Multi-function hand crank radio providing weather and emergency updates without power, combined with flashlight and phone charging ability.

DEWALT 20V MAX LED Work Light

recommended

Bright, rechargeable work light with long battery life, ideal for lighting larger apartment areas during outages.

Communication & Information

Essential Items

  • ☐Maintain devices for emergency communication independent of home power.
  • ☐Keep portable chargers for mobile phones and radios.
  • ☐Stay informed about local outage updates and safety instructions.

Tips

  • β€’ Charge all communication devices regularly and keep power banks topped off.
  • β€’ Register for NYC emergency alerts via phone.
  • β€’ Practice using walkie-talkies or radios with your household.

Recommended Products

Midland WR120B NOAA Weather Alert Radio

essential

Essential weather alert radio to receive timely emergency information during power outages in NYC.

BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio

recommended

Affordable dual-band walkie-talkies allowing communication when cell service is unstable during power failures.

Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger

essential

Compact, high-capacity portable charger to keep phones and small devices powered during extended outages.

Clothing & Personal Care

Essential Items

  • ☐Keep comfortable, warm clothing available as NYC may experience cool nights even in summer power outages.
  • ☐Stock hygiene and sanitation supplies for extended times without running water.
  • ☐Include rain protection given NYC’s variable weather.

Tips

  • β€’ Include extra socks, underwear, and layered clothing to retain warmth.
  • β€’ Store wet wipes and hand sanitizer to maintain hygiene.
  • β€’ Keep small pack of travel toiletries for convenience.

Recommended Products

Hanes Men’s ComfortSoft EcoSmart Fleece Sweatshirt

recommended

Comfortable and warm fleece sweatshirt suitable for cool indoor temperatures during NYC power outages.

Goodwipes Natural Flushable Wipes

essential

Flushable wet wipes useful for personal hygiene when water supply or hot water is limited in an NYC apartment.

Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer Gel, 8 oz Pump Bottle

essential

Trusted hand sanitizer to reduce risk of germs during limited water availability periods.

Important Documents & Cash

Essential Items

  • ☐Keep copies of identification, insurance, and medical info in waterproof containers.
  • ☐Store some cash in small denominations, as card readers and ATMs may be down.
  • ☐Ensure documents are easy to access quickly from your NYC apartment.

Tips

  • β€’ Scan and store digital copies of documents on a secure USB or encrypted cloud storage.
  • β€’ Use a fireproof and waterproof document bag or box for physical copies.
  • β€’ Keep cash in a secure but easily accessible place.

Recommended Products

SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Document Box

essential

Protects important documents from fire, water, and theft, ideal for apartment use to safeguard critical papers during emergencies.

Etsy Print Self Waterproof Document Holder

recommended

Compact waterproof pouch for keeping copies of IDs and important documents safe from water damage in a power outage environment.

Lighting & Power

Essential Items

  • ☐Have multiple sources of light that do not rely solely on electricity.
  • ☐Use rechargeable and battery-operated lamps for safety in tight apartment spaces.
  • ☐Consider candle alternatives for safer indoor use.

Tips

  • β€’ Use LED lights to conserve battery power.
  • β€’ Keep candles in metal or glass containers to reduce fire risk.
  • β€’ Test all lighting devices before outages occur.

Recommended Products

Vont LED Camping Lantern (2 Pack)

essential

Compact, bright, and battery-efficient lanterns offering safe, reliable light in tight NYC apartment spaces without power.

Aootek 5 LED Solar Lantern

recommended

Solar-powered, collapsible LED lantern with USB charging, excellent for sustainable lighting during extended NYC power outages.

GiveBest Candles - Unscented Tea Lights, 100 Count

recommended

Large quantity of unscented tea lights for safe candlelight during power outages, avoiding strong scents in enclosed apartments.

Important Tips & Reminders

  • β€’Create a checklist and review & update your disaster kit every 6 months.
  • β€’Store emergency supplies in a dedicated, easy-to-access location in your NYC apartment.
  • β€’Prepare an emergency communication plan with your household and neighbors.
  • β€’Keep your cell phones fully charged during times of potential outages.
  • β€’Learn basic survival and first aid skills relevant to power outage scenarios.
  • β€’Secure heavy furniture and appliances to prevent accidents during extended power disruptions.
  • β€’Stay informed via NOAA and NYC emergency alert systems.

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