Power outage · winter
Winter power-outage kit: battery power, light and a weather radio
A winter outage can disrupt communications, water and transportation, cause food spoilage, and prevent use of medical devices. Ready.gov advises taking an inventory of what you need that runs on electricity, planning batteries and alternate power such as a portable charger or power bank, and having flashlights for every household member. (Ready.gov)
Compare the five outage-kit picks
Safety first: heat, generators and carbon monoxide
- Use a generator ONLY outdoors. Generators and fuel should be at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages; keep the generator dry, connect appliances with heavy-duty extension cords, and let it cool before refueling. (Ready.gov)
- Never use portable generators inside homes or garages, even if doors and windows are open; exhaust should face away from the home. (CPSC)
- Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home; it increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows. (Ready.gov)
- Install CO alarms with battery backup on every level of the home (Ready.gov), and after a snowstorm keep dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace vents clear of snow. (NFPA) Compare options on our carbon monoxide alarms page.
- Disconnect appliances and electronics; power may return with surges. Go to a community location with power if the cold is extreme, and plan ahead for refrigerated medicines and power-dependent medical devices. (Ready.gov)
The battery power stations below make no exhaust; that is why this page lists them instead of fuel generators. Follow each maker's manual for loads and charging.
Five outage-kit picks (paid links)
As an Amazon Associate, Shortell Designs earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked (paid link) go to Amazon. We did not test these products; facts come from each Amazon listing.
Power station · small
EcoFlow RIVER 2 (256Wh, 300W)
256Wh, 300W. Recharges in as fast as 3 hours with 110W solar input (per the Amazon listing). Battery power, no exhaust; still follow the manual.
Power station · whole-room loads
Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1,070Wh, 1,500W)
1,500W AC output with a 3,000W surge peak; 1,070Wh; 23.8 lbs. Charges 0–100% in one hour with emergency charging enabled in the Jackery App, and defaults to 1.7 hours (per the Amazon listing).
Lantern · area light
Streamlight Super Siege 1,100-lumen lantern
Up to 1,100 lumens with white and red LEDs for 360° area light; six lighting modes; USB charging out for devices; battery level indicator; floats with the globe installed (per the Amazon listing).
Streamlight Super Siege lantern, ASIN B01BI9TTBW (paid link)
Weather radio · NOAA alerts
Midland ER310 crank weather radio
Emergency crank weather AM/FM radio with multiple power sources and an SOS emergency flashlight (per the Amazon listing).
Flashlight · no batteries to buy
Thorfire hand-crank solar flashlight
Hand crank and solar rechargeable; IPX6 waterproof; three modes: 1 LED, 3 LEDs and SOS flash (per the Amazon listing).
Thorfire hand-crank solar flashlight, ASIN B015SA3U12 (paid link)