Foto: doTERRA International, LLC / PexelsEmergency Lighting Checklist: What to Prepare for a Blackout
Use this checklist to ensure you're fully prepared for emergency lighting during a power outage. Covers equipment, positioning, batteries, and safety for all household situations.
How to Use This Checklist
Work through each section. Check what you have and what's missing. Prioritize the High priority items first.
Section 1: Core Lighting Equipment
| # | Item | Priority | Have It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LED headlamp (1 per person, 100+ lumens) | High | |
| 2 | Extra AA/AAA batteries for headlamps (2 sets per lamp) | High | |
| 3 | Battery LED lantern (1-2 per household) | High | |
| 4 | Extra batteries for lanterns (4+ sets) | High | |
| 5 | Handheld flashlight (2+ per household) | High | |
| 6 | Extra batteries for flashlights | Medium | |
| 7 | Solar-charged lantern (1+ per household) | Medium | |
| 8 | Glow sticks (20+ pieces) | Medium |
Section 2: Candle Supplies (Backup Only)
| # | Item | Priority | Have It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Candles (20+ pieces, various sizes) | Medium | |
| 10 | Stable candleholders (not saucers or plates) | Medium | |
| 11 | Windproof lighter or matches (waterproof) | High | |
| 12 | Fire extinguisher accessible near candles | High | |
| 13 | CO detector (battery-powered) in place | High |
Section 3: Pre-Positioned Lights
| # | Location | Lamp Pre-Placed? | Battery Checked? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Master bedroom bedside | ||
| 15 | Children's bedroom | ||
| 16 | Kitchen drawer | ||
| 17 | Hallway | ||
| 18 | Bathroom | ||
| 19 | Near breaker panel | ||
| 20 | Front door / entrance area | ||
| 21 | Basement or storage area |
Section 4: Power Bank and Charging
| # | Item | Priority | Have It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Power bank (10,000+ mAh) for phone charging | High | |
| 23 | Power bank charged (check monthly) | High | |
| 24 | USB cables for all household devices | Medium | |
| 25 | Solar panel for recharging power banks | Low |
Section 5: Safety and Special Situations
| # | Item | Priority | Have It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Safety rules for candles posted or memorized | High | |
| 27 | Glow sticks in children's rooms specifically | High | |
| 28 | Reflective tape on key obstacles (stairs, corners) | Medium | |
| 29 | Night light with auto-activate on power failure | Medium | |
| 30 | Red-light mode headlamp for nighttime (preserves night vision) | Low |
Section 6: Extended Outage Preparation
| # | Item | Priority | Have It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Battery count for 7-day calculation verified | Medium | |
| 32 | Solar charging plan for extended outage | Medium | |
| 33 | Know neighbors who may have generators | Low |
Battery Calculation Guide
Use this to estimate how many batteries you need:
| Device | Battery Type | Runtime | Batteries for 7 Days (8hr/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headlamp (100 lm) | 3× AAA | ~20 hrs | 8 AAA per lamp |
| LED lantern (300 lm) | 3× AA | ~15 hrs | 12 AA per lantern |
| Handheld flashlight | 2× AA | ~20 hrs | 6 AA per flashlight |
For a family of 4 (4 headlamps, 2 lanterns, 2 flashlights):
- 32× AAA batteries
- 48× AA batteries
This seems like a lot. Buy rechargeable batteries + a battery charger with USB charging. This reduces both cost and waste.
The Three Critical Actions This Week
If you do nothing else from this list:
-
Buy 2 headlamps (one per adult minimum). Put them on the bedside table tonight.
-
Check all battery-powered lights currently in your home. Test them. Replace dead batteries.
-
Buy a pack of glow sticks. Put a few in each bedroom.
These three steps solve 80% of emergency lighting problems for most households.
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