Outage Readiness Checklist

Equipment 0/8

Do these on a pleasant weekend, not when a storm is named.

• Run the generator 30 minutes under real load, not at idle
• Change the oil, or confirm the date of the last change
• Inspect or replace the air filter and spark plug
• Load-test the starting battery; replace it if over three years old
• Cycle the transfer switch or interlock end to end so the sequence is familiar
• Inspect every cord end for cracked insulation and bent pins
• Confirm you can move the generator to its outdoor spot alone
• Buy or locate an open-sided generator canopy for rain and snow

Fuel 0/6

• Calculate your burn rate and store enough for your planned outage length
• Add stabiliser to gasoline at the time of purchase
• Rotate anything older than three months into a vehicle
• Store fuel in approved containers, outside living space, away from pilot lights
• Top up propane cylinders early in the season
• Keep a funnel, a spill mat and gloves with the fuel cans

Safety 0/5

• Test every carbon monoxide alarm; replace units past their service life
• Confirm CO alarms exist on every level and outside sleeping areas
• Mark the generator's outdoor spot: at least 20 feet out, exhaust pointed away
• Check the fire extinguisher gauge
• Agree the household rule that the generator never comes indoors, including the garage

Water and food 0/6

• Store one gallon of water per person per day, plus pets
• Well owners: store extra, since no power means no water at all
• Keep a few days of food that needs no cooking or refrigeration
• Put a thermometer in the fridge and the freezer
• Freeze water bottles to fill freezer air space and act as cold packs
• Keep a manual can opener where you can find it in the dark

Medical and people 0/5

• Know the runtime of every powered medical device
• Register with the utility's medical priority list if applicable
• Plan refrigerated medication storage without power
• Have a backup that does not depend on the generator starting
• Agree a check-in plan for anyone elderly or alone nearby

Information and money 0/5

• Charge phones, laptops, battery banks and power stations when the forecast turns
• Keep a battery or crank NOAA weather radio
• Save the utility's outage reporting number offline
• Keep cash on hand; card readers and ATMs need power too
• Photograph the panel, the transfer switch and the generator data plate