Preparing for a power outage

What matters most

• Flashlight Essential
  A flashlight for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark.
• Spare batteries
  The right sizes for your flashlight and radio.
• Charged power bank
  To keep a phone charged during a power outage.
• Battery or wind-up radio
  To hear updates if cell networks are down.
• Blankets or sleeping bags
  To keep everyone warm if the heating is off.
• Warm clothing
  Layers, hats and gloves that are easy to find.
• Manual can opener
  A can opener that doesn't need electricity.
• Some cash
  Card machines and cash points may not work in a power outage.
• Plan for medication that needs a fridge Essential
  Know how you'd keep it cool during a power outage.
• Backup plan for powered equipment Essential
  A backup power source or plan for equipment that needs electricity.

What official guidance in Canada says

• Store flashlights, with batteries, somewhere easy to reach in the dark.¹
• Add a wind-up or battery radio to your kit in case the internet goes down.¹
• If anyone relies on powered medical devices or medicines kept in the fridge, plan ahead for an outage.¹
• Keep the freezer shut: a full one keeps food frozen for one to two days.¹

Stay safe

Water and food for a few days

For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:

Long-life food that suits a power outage

Each of these keeps without a fridge and doesn't need the fridge once opened:

• Canned chili
• Canned soup
• Baked beans
• Microwave rice pouch
• Canned tuna
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Granola bars
• Canned fruit

Allergies, dietary needs and children

Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.

Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.

• Canada names 11 priority allergens: eggs, milk, mustard, peanuts, crustaceans and molluscs, fish, sesame, soy, sulphites, tree nuts, and wheat and triticale.²
• Packaged foods must declare priority allergens and gluten sources by plain source names in the ingredient list, a 'Contains' statement, or both.³
• Companies may add a 'May contain' warning for possible cross-contamination; it is not a substitute for good manufacturing practices.³

Young children

• Health Canada says peanuts and other nuts, seeds, popcorn and hard candies are not safe for children under four.⁴
• Never give any kind of honey to babies under one, including in food, water, formula or on a soother.⁵
• Prepare food for young children with little or no added salt or sugar.⁴