What Still Works During a Power Outage? — Home Backup Map

A simple planning worksheet for seniors, caregivers, and families

A power outage can affect far more than the lights. It may interrupt phones, internet service, heating or cooling, medical equipment, refrigerated medicine, door openers, security devices, and familiar daily routines.

Use this map before an outage to identify what stops, what has backup power, and what manual alternative will keep the household safe.

Household: __________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________

Date reviewed: ______________________________________

Primary support person: ______________________________

Utility outage number or website: _____________________

1. Lighting and Safe Movement

What normally depends on electricity?

____________________________________________________________

Backup available: Flashlights / headlamps / battery lanterns / automatic backup lights

Where backups are stored: ______________________________

Safe nighttime route: __________________________________

2. Medical and Accessibility Needs

Power-dependent medical or accessibility equipment:

____________________________________________________________

Battery runtime or backup source: ________________________

Refrigerated medicine: Yes / No

Storage plan if refrigeration fails: _____________________

Medical equipment provider or pharmacy: _________________

Phone: _________________________________________________

3. Communication

Phones or internet equipment that stop without power:

____________________________________________________________

Backup communication: Charged mobile phone / power bank / car charger / battery radio / landline

Out-of-area contact: ____________________________________

Phone: _________________________________________________

4. Doors, Locks, and Entry

Garage door manual release location: ____________________

Electronic locks with key or battery backup: _____________

Gate, elevator, or building-access concerns:

____________________________________________________________

Manual entry plan: _____________________________________

5. Heating, Cooling, and Water

What stops when power fails?

____________________________________________________________

Safe place to go during dangerous heat or cold:

____________________________________________________________

Transportation plan: ___________________________________

Does household water depend on an electric well pump? Yes / No

6. Food and Refrigeration

Refrigerator thermometer present: Yes / No

Freezer thermometer present: Yes / No

Cooler and ice source: __________________________________

Shelf-stable food location: _____________________________

7. Smart-Home and Safety Devices

Devices that may stop or lose internet control:

____________________________________________________________

Manual alternatives for lights, plugs, locks, alarms, or routines:

____________________________________________________________

Smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms have battery backup: Yes / No

8. Backup Power

Available equipment: Power banks / portable power station / generator / vehicle inverter / none

What must receive power first?

1. ________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________

Person responsible for setup: ___________________________

Our Stay-or-Go Decision

We will leave the home if:

• A medical device cannot be powered safely.
• The home becomes dangerously hot or cold.
• Safe lighting, water, communication, or access cannot be maintained.
• Local officials direct us to evacuate.

Destination: _________________________________________

Who will help: ________________________________________

Quick Outage Kit

• Flashlights or headlamps and spare batteries
• Charged power banks and device cables
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Paper contact list and medication list
• Water and easy-to-prepare shelf-stable food
• Refrigerator and freezer thermometers
• Needed medical-device batteries and supplies
• Blankets, seasonal clothing, and pet supplies

Safety reminder: Never operate a generator, grill, camp stove, or other fuel-burning device inside a home, garage, basement, or other enclosed or partly enclosed area. Keep generators outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and vents.

Review this map twice a year and whenever medical needs, equipment, household members, or living arrangements change.