Know
A battery's watt-hour rating describes stored energy; its watt rating limits what it can power at once. Actual runtime depends on the device and energy losses. Solar charging varies with sunlight, shade, weather, and compatible equipment.
Get
Identify any essential medical-power requirements first, using your care provider's and device manufacturer's instructions. Then choose household lights, phone charging, and other equipment around the devices you need to support. Include the correct batteries, chargers, and cables.
Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Enter what you already have to calculate your remaining purchases. An empty field means we do not know your stock.
Choose backup power for your essential devices
Decide what you need to power before choosing a battery or solar panel. Phones, lights, fans, and appliances have different power needs.
Watts describe how much power a device uses while running. Watt-hours describe how much energy it uses over time. A 10-watt device running for five hours uses 50 watt-hours. A power station must support the devices running together and any startup demand. Its usable energy depends on the equipment and operating conditions.
Actions: List essential devices and daily operating hours. Calculate their daily energy use. Decide how the battery will be recharged. Compare the exact power station, solar panel, and cable specifications before buying.
Before buying: Check continuous output, usable battery capacity, and charging connections. For solar, check permitted input voltage and current, the connector, and any required cable. Output changes with sunlight, shade, weather, and placement.
Essential-device worksheet
Do not enter the nameplate rating unless it has been confirmed as usable energy.
Daily device energy (known subtotal): 0 Wh
Add essential devices to estimate.
Check device and power-station compatibility.
Batteries for selected devices
AA and AAA are counted separately. Included batteries do not need another initial set. Spare allowances are your own choice and never assumed.
AA: 0 required by selected devices · missing 0
AAA: 0 required by selected devices · missing 0
Petzl TIKKINA headlamp, 300 lumens, black, E060AB00
1 headlamp · Power & Lighting · Amazon order
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Recorded so far
- Not entered
- Price
- Check current price
One per person (2); adjust for who can use one.
Search results may include other sizes or models. Match the exact item before buying.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Leave blank to use the suggestion.
Why, limitations, and setup
Hands-free light for household tasks and moving around safely.
Exact variant: Uses three AAA batteries; the initial three are included. The optional CORE rechargeable battery is separate.
Quantity rule: Editable starting suggestion of one per person who can use a headlamp; review suitability for children and other household members. Count working equivalents.
Limitation: Plan replacement batteries around the setting and hours you actually use. One set is not a month-long power supply.
Batteries: initial 3 AAA cells included.
View setup task — buying does not complete setup.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Streamlight Siege AA lantern, Coyote, 44941
1 lantern · Power & Lighting · Walmart run
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Recorded so far
- Not entered
- Price
- Check current price
One per household as a starting suggestion.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Leave blank to use the suggestion.
Why, limitations, and setup
Shared battery lighting for an occupied room or household work area.
Exact variant: AA model, not the larger D-cell lantern. Three AA batteries are required and are not included.
Quantity rule: One as an editable household starting suggestion; adjust for occupied rooms and existing lights.
Limitation: Battery use depends on brightness and operating time. Add the initial batteries and plan spares from actual use.
Goes with: Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries, 48-count pack
Batteries: needs 3 AA cells, not included.
View setup task — buying does not complete setup.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port Compact Power Bank 20K with PD 20W, black, BPB014btBK
1 power bank · Power & Lighting · Amazon order
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Recorded so far
- Not entered
- Price
- Check current price
Enter how many essential phones you need to charge.
Search results may include other sizes or models. Match the exact item before buying.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Leave blank to use the suggestion.
Why, limitations, and setup
A portable charging reserve for compatible phones and small devices.
Exact variant: 20,000 mAh; one USB-C port and two USB-A ports; up to 20 W. A 30 cm USB-C-to-USB-C cable is included.
Quantity rule: After you identify essential phones, one per phone is suggested as an editable choice. Existing compatible power banks count.
Limitation: Check your device, cable, and charging connections. Test the setup and decide how you will recharge it. Do not assume a fixed number of phone charges or days.
Goes with: Compatible charging cables and a charger
View setup task — buying does not complete setup.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
First Alert CO3-B01D carbon monoxide alarm with backlit display
1 alarm · Home Safety & Security · Amazon order
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Recorded so far
- Not entered
- Price
- Check current price
Enter the number of required installation locations.
Search results may include other sizes or models. Match the exact item before buying.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Leave blank to use the suggestion.
Why, limitations, and setup
Battery-operated carbon monoxide detection for an appropriate installation location.
Exact variant: Model CO3-B01D, SKU CO3-B01D-T; two AA batteries included.
Quantity rule: Determine required locations from the instructions and home requirements, then subtract serviceable alarms already installed. Not calculated from people or duration.
Limitation: An alarm does not make indoor use of a generator or outdoor camp stove safe. Follow installation and replacement instructions.
View setup task — buying does not complete setup.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Kirkland Signature Alkaline AA Batteries, 48-count pack
1 pack (48 AA) · Power & Lighting · Costco run
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Price
- Check current price
0 missing AA cells ÷ 48, rounded up.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Leave blank to use the suggestion.
Why, limitations, and setup
AA batteries for compatible selected equipment and a household-chosen spare allowance.
Exact variant: Item 1938092. 48 AA cells.
Quantity rule: Packs = missing AA cells ÷ 48, rounded up, after counting batteries already installed or included and your planned spare allowance.
Limitation: Check the battery type for every device. This pack does not cover AAA equipment, and its size does not establish a number of outage days.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Compatible charging cables and a charger
Your chosen product · Power & Lighting · Choose a store
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Recorded so far
- Not entered
- Price
- Check current price
Match the actual devices and power source.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Match the actual devices and power source.
Why, limitations, and setup
Match the actual devices and power source.
Quantity rule: Set quantity — enter the actual product, package, and amount you use.
View setup task — buying does not complete setup.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Compatible AAA batteries and other device batteries
Your chosen pack size · Power & Lighting · Choose a store
- Planned purchase
- Not on list
- Price
- Check current price
0 AAA cells missing. Choose your pack size and set quantity.
Quantities, store, and receiving
Leave blank to use the suggestion.
Why, limitations, and setup
Initial missing AAA cells come from selected devices; set your own spare allowance. AA and AAA are counted separately.
Quantity rule: Missing AAA cells = cells required by selected devices + your spare allowance − cells you already have.
View setup task — buying does not complete setup.
Reference reviewed 2026-11-14. Product links identify the listed model or package. Check the retailer for current price, seller, shipping, and local availability. Online listings do not confirm stock at your store.
Do
List essential devices and daily operating hours. Check their power needs, then test the actual battery, charger, and cables together. Place lights where people will need them. Keep charging instructions with the equipment. Portable generators require an appropriate outdoor location at least 20 feet from homes and openings. Never run one indoors, in a garage, or on a balcony. Use working carbon monoxide alarms installed according to their instructions. Never feed generator power into a household wall outlet; a qualified electrician must arrange any connection to household wiring.
Plan progress records tasks you have completed. It is not a prediction of safety or a guarantee of self-sufficiency.
Extended
A larger battery does not create electricity. Build and test a realistic recharge plan, and identify essential tasks you can perform without power.
Sources
Prepare to stay home while it remains safe and can meet your household's essential needs. Follow official evacuation instructions and have an alternative if staying becomes unsafe.