✔ Backed by: Ready.gov (FEMA) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each fact links to its source, and the full list is at the bottom of this post.
Emergency first: If someone’s breathing machine, oxygen, or other life-sustaining device stops working and they are having trouble, call 911. If anyone gets a headache or feels dizzy, weak, sick to their stomach, or confused while a generator or fuel-burning heater is running nearby, get to fresh air and call 911. These are common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.[5]
The lights flicker, then go dark. For most of us, a power outage is an annoyance. We find a flashlight and wait. But some people rely on electricity for their health. For them, an outage can turn into a real problem in just a few hours. Think of an oxygen concentrator, a CPAP machine, a power wheelchair, a home dialysis machine, or insulin kept in the refrigerator. That’s why a power outage plan matters.
Fall storms and winter weather are rolling in across much of the country. So now is a good time to make a simple power outage plan. You do not need to buy a lot of gear. Most of the work is making a few phone calls and writing a few things down.
Start your power outage plan with your care team
Ready.gov, the federal preparedness site, says to talk to your doctor about using medical devices that need electricity during an outage. Ask, too, how to store your medicines and stay safe.[1] That conversation is the heart of your power outage plan. The right answer depends on your device, your medicines, and your health.
You can say: “I use a concentrator at night. If the power goes out for a day or two, what should I do? Is there a backup I should have at home?”
Your pharmacist is a great person to ask about medicines that need to stay cold. Your equipment supplier can answer questions about batteries and backup options.
Call the companies behind your devices and your power
The FDA recommends reading your device instructions or calling your distributor or manufacturer. That way you’ll learn whether your device can run on batteries or a generator.[2] Ask how long a full battery lasts, how to charge it, and how to store spare batteries.
The FDA also suggests notifying your electric company and fire department that you have a medical device that needs power.[2] Ask your utility whether it has a process for customers who use medical equipment. Programs and rules vary by company and state. Also, being on a list does not guarantee your power will come back first. So you still need a backup plan.
You can say to your utility: “Someone in my home uses medical equipment that needs electricity. Do you have a program or list for customers like us, and what do I need to sign up?”
When power comes back, the FDA notes that some devices reset to their default settings. Check that your device settings are still correct.[2]
Medicines that need the refrigerator
The CDC explains that some medicines, including many liquid medicines, need to be refrigerated to keep their strength. Its general guidance covers outages of a day or more. In that case, medicine that should be refrigerated should be thrown away unless the label says otherwise. But what if a person’s life depends on a refrigerated medicine? Then the CDC says it may be used until a new supply is available.[3] Ready.gov adds that if you have taken refrigerated medicine that was at room temperature, call your doctor or pharmacist.[1]
Insulin is a common concern. The FDA says insulin in its original vial or cartridge can be left unrefrigerated between 59°F and 86°F. It can stay that way for up to 28 days and still work. It advises keeping insulin as cool as possible and away from direct heat and sunlight. Also, don’t use insulin that has frozen. The FDA also notes that in an emergency, you might still need to use insulin stored above 86°F. Then replace it once you can store insulin properly again.[4] Always follow your own prescriber’s instructions, and call the pharmacist or the manufacturer if you are not sure.
This is not the time to change doses or skip medicines on your own. If something seems off, call your prescriber or pharmacist first.
Generators and heaters: carbon monoxide safety
Backup power can be a lifesaver, but it has to be used safely. The CDC says never to use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage. Keep it at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. It also recommends a battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detector when using a generator. And it warns never to heat your home with a gas range or oven.[3]
If someone uses oxygen, the FDA advises using battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of gas lights or open flames.[2] That means skipping candles in homes where oxygen is in use.
Food, warmth, and knowing when to leave
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can. The CDC says an unopened refrigerator keeps food safe for up to 4 hours. A full freezer keeps it safe for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full).[3] This matters for people on special diets too.
If your home gets too hot or too cold, the CDC suggests staying with friends or going to a community shelter.[3] Decide ahead of time where you would go. A friend’s home, a relative’s place, or a local warming or cooling center can all be options. If you live alone, ask one neighbor or friend to check on you when the power goes out.
Here is an example of how that can look. James lives alone and uses a CPAP and an oxygen concentrator. After a long outage, he made a power outage plan with his sister. If the power is out for more than a few hours, she calls him. If he does not answer, she asks a neighbor to knock. He also keeps his device chargers and medicine list in one bag by the door.
Your quick power outage plan checklist
- A written list of your medical devices, with the supplier’s phone number.
- Charged backup batteries and chargers, if your device can use them.
- A current medicine list and a few days of supplies, if your plan allows.
- Battery flashlights and a battery-powered or backup carbon monoxide detector.
- A plan for where to go and who will check on you.
Tru-Tips: Tape a short note inside a kitchen cabinet with your device names, settings, supplier number, and your doctor’s number. In the dark and in a hurry, a note on the cabinet door is easier to find than a file on your phone.
One Tru Step: This week, make one call: to your equipment supplier, your utility company, or your pharmacist. Ask one question about your power outage plan and write down the answer.
Let’s talk
What helped you or someone you care for get through a power outage? Is there a simple trick or item you would never be without?
Sources and further reading
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Be Prepared for a Power Outage
- FDA: Tips About Medical Devices and Natural Disasters
- CDC: What to Do to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage
- FDA: Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
- CDC: About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Sources checked October 16, 2026. General education; individual care and coverage questions require an appropriate professional.
Related Health Hubs
- Emergency Readiness
- DME, Home Safety and Rehabilitation
- Medication Management and Safety
- Aging Alone
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