Blackout Kit · Medical
Emergency First Aid and Medical Prep for Power Outages
A real first aid kit, a week of prescriptions, FDA insulin guidance, and a plan for medical devices that need power.
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By PowerLockdown EditorialUpdated October 27, 20263 min readHow we research
In this guide
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Outages rarely cause medical emergencies by themselves, but they make ordinary problems harder: pharmacies close, roads are blocked, refrigerated medicines warm up and powered medical devices stop. Most of that can be planned for in advance.
This guide pulls from FDA, CDC and Ready.gov guidance. Product picks are research-based from manufacturer pages; we do not test products. It is general information, not medical advice: talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own plan.
Prescriptions: build a buffer
CDC's build-a-kit guidance for people with disabilities lists "at least 1 week's supply of all prescription medications" and "a cooler for refrigerated medications." Ready.gov notes that an emergency can make it difficult to refill a prescription or find an open pharmacy.
Ask your pharmacist and insurer whether an early refill is possible before storm season, and keep a written list of medications, doses, allergies and prescriber contacts in your kit, not just on your phone.
Refrigerated medicines and insulin
Ready.gov: "If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug's label says otherwise." Insulin is the main exception with specific federal guidance.
Powered medical devices
If anyone in your home relies on an oxygen concentrator, CPAP, nebulizer, powered wheelchair or similar device, FDA advises notifying your electric company and fire department that you have a medical device that needs power, and finding out whether the device can run on batteries or a generator. Ready.gov adds: talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines.
Write down each device's power needs from its label or manual. That number is what you will need to size a battery backup; the backup power calculator helps with that step.
What a home first aid kit should cover
- Wound care: assorted bandages, gauze, trauma pad, tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment
- Tools: scissors or shears, tweezers, gloves, thermometer
- Medications: pain/fever relievers, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal, per your doctor's guidance
- Burn care and a cold compress
- Emergency blanket
- A printed first aid guide
- Personal items: glasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility aids
Plan for everyone in the household
- Infants: formula, bottles, diapers and wipes for the full length of your kit tier
- Older adults: spare glasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility aids and a list of conditions
- Anyone with a chronic condition: written instructions from their clinician for an outage
- Pets: medications, food and extra water, plus vaccination records
- Copies of insurance cards and photo ID in a waterproof bag
Keep the kit usable
A first aid kit only helps if you can find it in the dark and if the contents are still in date. Store it with your lanterns and radio, check expiry dates on medications and ointments twice a year, and replace anything you use right away. Take a basic first aid or CPR class if you can; supplies are far more useful in trained hands.
Research-based picks
Two kits for different households and a non-electric way to keep insulin cool. Contents are from manufacturer pages, checked October 27, 2026.
No. 1First aid and medical
American Red Cross (made by First Aid Only) Deluxe All Purpose First Aid Kit, 299 pieces
Best for: An all-purpose home kit
- 299 pieces in a soft zippered case with clear pockets; 1.3 lb
- 75 plastic bandages, 50 junior bandages, 5"×9" trauma pad
- Alcohol pads, BZK antiseptic towelettes, antibiotic ointment packs
- Aspirin, non-aspirin pain reliever and ibuprofen packets
- Thermometer, emergency blanket, cold compress, scissors, tweezers, nitrile gloves, Red Cross First Aid Guide
Tradeoffs
- Mostly small-wound supplies; only one trauma pad
- No CPR face shield listed
No. 2First aid and medical
Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Explorer
Best for: Families or groups of up to 4 people
- Rated for 1–4 people, up to 7 days; water-resistant; organized by injury
- CPR face shield, trauma pad, triangular bandage, 3" elastic bandage, irrigation syringe, EMT shears, wound closure strips
- Loperamide, aspirin, diphenhydramine, ibuprofen and acetaminophen doses
- Single-use thermometers and a wilderness and travel medicine guide
Tradeoffs
- Fewer small bandages than the 299-piece kit
- One pair of gloves included
No. 3First aid and medical
FRIO Individual Cooling Wallet
Best for: Keeping an insulin pen cool without a fridge
- Holds one insulin pen, two 3 ml cartridges or three 1.5 ml cartridges
- Manufacturer: minimum continuous cool period of 45 hours
- Activated with cold water; recharges in under 5 minutes
- Inner wallet 18 × 6 cm
Tradeoffs
- Evaporative cooling, not refrigeration
- Frio states 18 to 26°C (64.4 to 78.8°F) inside for at least 45 hours at a constant 100°F, which is not fridge-cold
Medical prep checklist
- At least 1 week of every prescription (CDC); ask about early refills
- Printed medication list, doses, allergies, doctor and pharmacy contacts
- Cooler or cooling wallet for refrigerated medicines
- Utility and fire department notified about powered medical devices (FDA)
- Device power needs written down; backup battery plan
- First aid kit checked and restocked twice a year
- Battery or battery-backup CO alarm if you will use any fuel-burning heat
Frequently asked questions
- How long can insulin stay out of the fridge?
- FDA says insulin may be left unrefrigerated between 59°F and 86°F for up to 28 days and continue to work. Avoid freezing it and keep it out of direct heat and sunlight.
- Should I throw out other refrigerated medicine after an outage?
- Ready.gov says to discard medication that should be refrigerated if the power is out for more than a day, unless the label says otherwise. Ask your pharmacist about anything critical.
- What should I do if I use a CPAP or oxygen concentrator?
- FDA advises telling your electric company and fire department, and checking whether the device can run on batteries or a generator. Make a plan with your medical provider before outage season.
- How much medication should I keep on hand?
- CDC's kit guidance lists at least a 1-week supply of all prescription medications.
Sources
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