Outage essentials checklist

48 hours before a forecast outage

• ☐ Charge every battery to 100% from the wall
• ☐ Set fridge/freezer to colder; avoid opening later
• ☐ Fill water (well homes: jugs + tub)
• ☐ Locate transfer switch / inlet / extension cords rated for the load
• ☐ If you have Storm Watch / Storm Guard, confirm it is enabled

Circuits to keep (typical)

• ☐ Refrigerator / one freezer
• ☐ Medical (CPAP, oxygen concentrator — know the watts)
• ☐ Internet + phones
• ☐ A few lights
• ☐ Furnace control / well or sump if they fit the inverter

Circuits to shed first

• ☐ Central AC or heat pump compressor
• ☐ Electric water heater, dryer, range, EV charger, pool

Safety

• ☐ No generator in a garage or near a window
• ☐ No backfeeding a dryer outlet
• ☐ Batteries stay dry and within the maker’s temperature range

Hour-by-hour, what actually fails: what dies first in a multi-day outage.