Getting through a long outage without improvising
How long food keeps, what to back up first, how to run a generator safely and what changes once an outage passes 48 hours.
A two-hour outage is an inconvenience. A two-day outage is a food problem, a temperature problem and, for some people, a medical equipment problem. The difference is not the duration — it is whether anything was ready.
The first four hours
The most important thing early on is do not open the fridge. Shut, it holds temperature for about four hours; every opening cuts that margin significantly.
Meanwhile:
- Switch off and unplug sensitive appliances. Power tends to come back with a surge that kills power supplies.
- Leave one light switched on. That is how you will know service returned without going to check.
- Charge phones from your power banks, not the other way around.
What to back up first
Not everything needs backup. The order that makes sense for most households:
- Medical equipment. CPAP, oxygen concentrators, refrigerated insulin. This is not optional and it sets the size of your battery.
- Communication. Phone and router. A little power keeps you in contact.
- Light. Flashlights and LED lanterns, never candles.
- Cold. The fridge is the biggest draw; backing it up is expensive and is usually the last priority unless medication is inside.
Generators: where the deaths happen
If you run a generator, also keep a battery carbon monoxide detector inside the house. It is the only way you find out in time.
When an outage passes 48 hours
| Situation | What changes | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Food | The freezer no longer protects | Cook or discard perishables |
| Water | Tall buildings lose pump pressure | Use stored water; do not drink from the mains under a notice |
| Heat or cold | The home loses its interior climate | Gather the family in a single room |
| Medication | Insulin and others lose effectiveness | Check the real margin for your prescription with your pharmacy |
| Money | Card readers stop working | Small-denomination cash |
Guides
- How to run a generator without carbon monoxide risk Carbon monoxide has no smell, no colour and kills in minutes. Where a generator can go, where it never can, and why an open garage does not count.
- How long food lasts in the fridge without power Four hours with the door closed and up to 48 in a full freezer. What survives, what gets thrown out, and why smell is not how you decide.
- What to do if you depend on electrically powered medical equipment CPAP, oxygen concentrators, pumps and refrigerated medication. How to size the backup you need and which registrations to set up in advance.
Gear that covers this
Products that match what the guide above recommends.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not change the price you pay or the recommendations we make.
- View on Amazon
Portable power station
Quiet, fuel-free and safe indoors, unlike a generator. Size it by the watt-hours you calculate, not by price.
- View on Amazon
Crank radio with NOAA alerts
When the mobile network drops, this is still how official warnings reach you. The crank removes the dependency on batteries you may not have.
- View on Amazon
Fridge thermometer
Takes the guesswork out of what food is still safe. Cheap, and it prevents both food poisoning and throwing out good food.
Frequently asked questions
How long does food last in the fridge without power?
About 4 hours with the door kept shut. A full freezer holds roughly 48 hours, about 24 at half capacity. Rule of thumb: anything above 40 °F for more than 2 hours gets thrown out.
Can I run a generator indoors?
Never. Not in the garage, not in the basement, not beside an open window. Carbon monoxide is odourless and kills in minutes. Keep it at least 20 feet from doors and windows.
Is a portable power station worth it?
It depends on what you need running. A CPAP, router and lights usually fit in 500-1000 Wh; a refrigerator needs far more. The power calculator gives you the number for your case.