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24 hours if half-full) if you don't open the door. Your refrigerator will keep food safe up to four hours without power if you keep the door closed.
To prepare for emergencies, make an emergency kit with enough bottled water, canned goods, dried meat and fruit, powdered milk and any other shelf-stable foods for each person in the family to last at least a few days.
4. Discuss severe weather plans
Don't wait until extreme weather threatens to explain to kids what to expect during these unexpected - and scary - events. Knowing that you're stocked up on supplies and that you planned ahead is reassuring to kids. Discuss what to do if power goes out and where flashlights and supplies are stored.
making sure everyone knows where to find them. Consider getting headlamps so people can see and have free hands to make other arrangements during an outage. For young children, light sticks and glow bracelets are a fun way to see better while calming the worries a storm can bring. Wireless chargers for cell phones and other devices can also help keep you connected to your family, neighbors and community.
2. Stay tuned to forecasts
The National Weather Service provides NOAA Weather Radio, a nationwide service giving listeners forecasts, watches and warnings 24/7. You can access NOAA Weather online and through NOAA radio apps for your smartphone. A battery-operated radio will give you access, or you can get an NOAA Weather Radio specifically designed to stay tuned to important weather updates.
3. Stock water and non-perishable food
Water purification systems may not function if power in your area is affected. When the power is out and you don't have a home standby generator to power your stove, you won't be able to boil water to purify it. Because of this, it's a good idea to store two weeks of clean, drinkable water in your home. FEMA recommends at least one gallon of water per person in your household.
Another hazard from power outages is food spoilage. According to the CDC, a full freezer keeps food safe for 48 hours (or