Let’s set the scene. You’re sitting at home, minding your own business, maybe sipping a nice hot cup of tea (or something stronger, I don’t judge), when suddenly—BOOM. Darkness. Silence. The unmistakable click of every modern convenience deciding to take an unscheduled break.
The power is out.
Now, if you’re a seasoned prepper, this is just a minor inconvenience. If you’re not, this is when you start panicking . But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. With a little prep and the right mindset, you can ride out a power outage like a pro.
Step One: Don’t Panic (Unless the tea Is Gone, Then Panic a Little)
First things first—stay calm. This is not the time to start running through the house, flipping light switches as if you can will the power back on. (We’ve all done it.) Check if it’s just your house or a wider outage. If it’s the whole neighborhood, then congratulations, you’re officially in “lights out mode.”
Step Two: Let There Be Light!
If you’ve prepared ahead of time, this part is easy. If not, well… hopefully you like the ambiance of a haunted house.
Flashlights & Lanterns – Always keep extra batteries because they disappear faster than socks in a dryer.
Candles – They’re cozy, but let’s not burn the house down in an attempt to read a book.
Solar or Hand-Crank Lights – Because relying on batteries alone is like trusting a cat to stay off the counter.
Step Three: Staying Warm (Or Cool, Depending on Mother Nature’s Mood)
If it’s winter and the heat is out, layers are your best friend. So are blankets, wool socks, and cozying up to an Alaskan Malamute (Mo is quite handy for this).
Hot Water Bottles – If you still have a gas stove or other heating source, heat some water and fill up bottles to keep warm.
Tent Inside a Room – Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but a small tent traps body heat surprisingly well!
Close Off Unused Rooms – Keep the heat where you actually are, not where you should be cleaning.
If it’s summer and you’re slowly melting, your best bet is to block out the sun (curtains and blankets over windows help) and sip cold drinks. No power = no A/C, so it’s survival mode.
Step Four: The Food Situation
No power? No problem. No food? Now that’s a problem.
Eat from the fridge first – Perishables go bad fast. Start with dairy, meats, and anything that looks like it’s giving you the side-eye.
Move to the freezer next – If it’s a short outage, keep that freezer shut to preserve cold air. If it’s a long outage, start eating what’s defrosting before it turns into science experiments.
Pantry staples to the rescue – Canned soups, peanut butter, crackers, and anything that doesn’t need cooking.
Camp stove or grill – If you’ve got one, now’s the time to fire it up (OUTSIDE, for the love of common sense).
Step Five: Keeping Yourself Sane
The WiFi is out. The TV is dark. No social media. No Netflix. This is where people start getting twitchy.
Books – These magical, battery-free devices still work in power outages. Highly recommend.
Board Games & Cards – If you’re with family, now’s the time for a good, old-fashioned game night. Just don’t pick Monopoly unless you want a full-scale family war.
Conversations – I know, wild concept. Talk to the people in your house. You might even enjoy it.
Nap – When all else fails, just sleep through it.
Final Step: Be Ready for Next Time
Power outages happen. The question is, do they catch you off guard, or do you sit there, sipping tea by lantern light, feeling smug about your preparedness? If you want to be in the latter group, make sure you have:
✔ A stocked pantry
✔ Emergency lights and backup batteries
✔ A way to cook without electricity
✔ A plan for staying warm (or cool)
✔ A sense of humor—because let’s be honest, sometimes all you can do is laugh
So, the next time the lights go out, don’t stress—just grab a flashlight, make some tea, and enjoy the break from all those pesky notifications.
Until next time… stay prepped and prepared!
~~Pepper