Heat Waves: What to Keep Ready Before the Power Goes Out

Extreme heat is no longer something families can treat as a minor inconvenience. During a heat dome, temperatures can climb into dangerous territory and stay there for days. Right now, parts of the country are facing extreme heat, including areas such as Billings, Montana, where temperatures are forecast to reach well above 100 degrees.

That kind of heat can become dangerous quickly, especially when electricity is interrupted, air conditioning stops working, transportation is disrupted, or people do not have enough water available.

Heat preparedness is not only about comfort. It is about health, safety, and being ready before conditions become life-threatening.

Why Heat Waves Are So Dangerous

Heat affects the body differently than many other hazards. It can build over time, especially when nighttime temperatures remain warm and people do not get a chance to cool down.

During extreme heat, people may experience dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Older adults, children, outdoor workers, people with medical conditions, people without reliable air conditioning, and pets are especially vulnerable.

Power outages make the situation even more serious. A home that is manageable with air conditioning can become unsafe when the power goes out. Refrigerated food may spoil. Medical devices may lose power. Phones may lose charge. People may be forced to make decisions while tired, overheated, and under stress.

That is why every household should prepare before the hottest days arrive.

What to Keep Ready at Home

A heat wave preparedness kit should include supplies that help you stay hydrated, informed, visible, and safe if the power goes out.

Consider keeping these items ready:

• Bottled water or stored emergency water
• Shelf-stable food that does not require cooking
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Portable phone chargers or power banks
• First aid supplies
• Cooling towels or cloths
• Electrolyte packets or drinks
• Hygiene and sanitation supplies
• Manual can opener
• Copies of important information
• Medications and medical supplies
• Pet food, water, leashes, carriers, and medication

Water should be a top priority. During extreme heat, people and pets need more water than usual. Waiting until the warning is issued may leave families competing for limited supplies at crowded stores.

Do Not Forget the Car

A vehicle can become extremely dangerous in hot weather, especially for children and pets. No person or animal should ever be left in a parked vehicle during extreme heat.

At the same time, a car emergency kit is still important. Heat waves can lead to traffic delays, evacuations, road closures, wildfire concerns, or mechanical problems. If you are delayed on the road, basic supplies can make a major difference.

A summer vehicle kit should include:

• Water
• Food bars or shelf-stable snacks
• Flashlight
• Phone charger
• First aid kit
• Emergency blanket or shade item
• Cooling towel
• Work gloves
• Basic sanitation supplies
• Pet supplies if animals travel with you

Check vehicle supplies regularly. Extreme heat can damage some items, so inspect your kit and replace anything that has expired, leaked, melted, or become unsafe.

Prepare for the Power to Fail

During periods of extreme heat, electrical systems can be placed under heavy demand. If the power goes out, the time to prepare has already passed.

Before an outage, charge phones, power banks, medical devices, fans, and other needed equipment. Know how to manually open garage doors. Keep flashlights where people can find them in the dark. Avoid relying only on candles, which can create a fire risk.

If someone in the home depends on powered medical equipment, make a backup power plan and know where to go if the home becomes unsafe.

It is also wise to identify cooling locations ahead of time, such as libraries, community centers, malls, cooling centers, or the home of a trusted friend or family member. Do not wait until the house is dangerously hot to decide where to go.

Pets Need Heat Preparedness Too

Pets depend on people during emergencies. During extreme heat, they need water, shade, cooling, and a safe place to stay.

A pet heat preparedness kit should include:

• Extra water
• Food
• Bowls
• Leash or harness
• Carrier
• Waste bags
• Medication
• Vaccination records
• Comfort item

Pets can suffer from heat-related illness quickly. If an evacuation or temporary relocation becomes necessary, having pet supplies ready can reduce stress and delay.

Workplace Heat Preparedness Matters

Many people will be at work when extreme heat conditions worsen. Workplaces should think about how staff, clients, visitors, and customers will be supported during heat events or power outages.

Prepared workplaces should consider water, first aid supplies, backup lighting, communication plans, emergency contact information, and procedures for checking on vulnerable people. If employees are expected to travel between sites, vehicle preparedness also matters.

Heat planning is not only a household issue. It is a community and workplace safety issue.

Preparedness Is Easier Before the Warning

The best time to prepare for a heat wave is before the heat arrives. Once temperatures rise, people may already be tired, stores may be crowded, and supplies may be harder to find.

Preparedness does not remove the danger, but it gives families a better starting point.

A practical emergency kit can help you stay hydrated, maintain communication, care for pets, and manage basic needs during a power outage or heat-related disruption.

Extreme heat should be taken seriously. A few supplies gathered ahead of time can make a difficult situation safer and more manageable.

LMD Disaster Survival Kits encourages every household to prepare for heat, power outages, and the changing conditions that can affect daily life. Preparedness starts with one practical step: make sure the supplies you may need are already within reach.

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Michael Cady, MSDM, NEMAA, is an emergency management professional with more than 30 years of experience working with first responders, five years of federal disaster recovery experience assisting disaster survivors and has operated LMD Disaster Survival Kits since 2007. Michael holds associate and bachelor’s degrees in Homeland Security Emergency Management and a master’s degree in Climate Security and Disaster Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He currently supports emergency management, health, and safety measures for more than 500 staff in a behavioral health organization. Preparedness questions matter, and LMD Disaster Survival Kits welcomes the opportunity to help individuals, families, workplaces, and communities become better prepared.