DIY Blackout Kit: What to Keep Handy for Power Outages

Power outages always seem to happen at the worst times — in the middle of dinner, middle of the day during July, during a storm, or just as the house gets dark. Most people scramble for flashlights, candles, or their phone with a dying battery. But with a little preparation, you can skip the panic and handle a blackout like a pro.

A blackout kit is a simple, affordable way to make sure you have everything you need — right when the lights go out.

Let’s walk through exactly what to include and how to keep it ready year-round.

What Is a Blackout Kit?

A blackout kit is a container (like a tote, bin, backpack, or even a closet) that holds all your essential supplies for when the power goes out. Think of it as your “lights-out survival kit.”

It doesn’t have to be fancy — the goal is convenience and accessibility.
You want it ready to grab in seconds, whether it’s a short outage or a week-long grid failure.

Step 1: Choose the Right Container

Start with something easy to grab and move:

• Plastic storage tote with lid
• Backpack or duffel bag
• Sturdy box with a handle

Tip: Label it clearly — “BLACKOUT KIT” — and store it in an easy-to-reach spot, like a hallway closet or under a bed.

Step 2: Include the Essentials

Light

• Flashlights (1 per person)
• Headlamps (hands-free is a game changer)
• Lanterns (battery or solar-powered)
• Extra batteries for everything
• Glow sticks
• Candles

Tip: Keep a flashlight, lantern or headlamp in every room of the house, not just inside of your kit.

Power & Charging

• Power banks (charged quarterly)
• Solar charger or hand-crank charger
• Extra charging cords
• AA/AAA batteries

Tip: Charge all devices when you first hear storm warnings — don’t wait until the lights flicker.

Comfort & Warmth

• Blankets
• Zero degree sleeping bags
• Mylar blankets
• Hand warmers
• Battery-powered or solar-powered fan(s)

Tip: You can choose to change out and inventory the items between the seasons – this keeps the bin relevant and lighter weight.

Food & Water

• Bottled water (2 gallons per person per day)
• Canned and shelf-stable foods
• Manual can opener
• Paper plates, cups, utensils
• Instant coffee or drink mixes

Tip: Avoid opening the fridge or freezer unless necessary — every minute it’s open, you lose cold air.

Health & Hygiene

• First aid kit
• Hand sanitizer and baby wipes
• OTC and prescription meds (rotate quarterly)
• Toilet paper and trash bags

Tip: Consider a compost bucket toilet – they come in handy when you’re trying to conserve water.

Information, Safety & Morale

• Battery-powered radio or hand-crank emergency radio
• Whistle
• Copies of emergency contacts
• Cash (small bills)
• Multi-tool or pocketknife
• Though you probably have plenty of morale outside your home, consider some journals, crafts, board games and other things that you would only pull out when the lights go out.

Tip: Keep physical paper maps in case GPS or cell towers go down.

Don’t Forget Pets

• Pet food and water
• Extra leash or carrier
• Comfort item or toy

Step 3: Add a “Lights-Out Drill” to Your Routine

Once every few months, do a 15-minute blackout drill:

• Turn off the power (or flip the breaker temporarily).
• Time how fast you can find and use your blackout kit.
• Make notes on what’s missing or needs replacing.

This quick exercise turns your kit from “good idea” to practical lifesaver.

DIY Blackout Kit Checklist

• Flashlights & headlamps
• Lanterns & glow sticks
• Extra batteries
• Power banks & chargers
• Blankets & emergency blankets
• Bottled water
• Shelf-stable food & manual can opener
• Paper plates & utensils
• First aid supplies
• Hygiene items
• Radio & whistle
• Cash & copies of important contacts
• Pet supplies
• Crafts and other morale items

Take It Further: Get the Ultimate Power Outage Survival Guide

Your blackout kit is your foundation — but what if the power stays out for days or weeks?

That’s where my Ultimate Power Outage Survival Guide comes in.
It’s a detailed, step-by-step guide that covers:
✅ Long-term power outage preparation
✅ Off-grid cooking and heating options
✅ Water collection and purification
✅ Food safety during extended blackouts
✅ Bonus printable checklists

It’s everything you need to stay safe, calm, and self-reliant when the lights go out.
👉 Click here to grab your copy of The Ultimate Power Outage Survival Guide

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to wait for the next storm warning to get prepared.
With a simple blackout kit, you’ll never be caught off guard — whether it’s a 30-minute outage or a week-long grid-down event.

Start today.
Build your kit, test it, and keep it handy. The lights may go out, but you’ll be the one ready to shine.