“Where’s the flashlight?” is easier to answer before you need it. A short check now can help everyone in your home know where to look later.
Pick a place everyone knows
Find your working flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Choose an easy-to-find spot and tell your household where it is. Keep any spare batteries with the light or nearby, following the manufacturer’s storage instructions.
Check that it actually works
Turn each light on. Check the correct battery type or charging instructions. A familiar working light is more useful than a new one that nobody has opened.
Make a simple household note
Write down where lights are stored, how to find your local utility’s outage information, and a few useful contact numbers. Keep a paper copy somewhere accessible.
Read the guidance before you need it
The CDC recommends flashlights or other battery-powered lights instead of candles during an outage when possible. See its lighting guidance.
This is one small step, not a complete outage plan. For broader planning and safety information, including needs that depend on electricity, review Ready.gov’s power outage guide and your local authorities’ advice.
Ready for another small step? Print your everyday readiness checklist.