What gets power first
Ready.gov emergency kit guidance identifies lighting, communication, and medical devices as the three highest-priority battery uses during an outage. Everything else is secondary.
LED headlamps draw minimal power (typically 30 to 100 milliwatts on low settings) and provide hands-free lighting for cooking, repairs, and navigation. A single set of AA batteries can power a quality LED headlamp on low for 40 to 100+ hours. This makes them the most efficient lighting option by a wide margin.
A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio draws very little power and provides continuous emergency alerts independent of cell networks. Medical devices (glucose meters, hearing aids, CPAP machines with battery packs) are non-negotiable loads.
Rationing your most-wanted device
Smartphones consume batteries rapidly when searching for weak or absent cell signals. During an outage, switch to airplane mode when not actively making a call or sending a text. This can extend battery life from hours to days.
A portable battery bank (10,000 to 20,000 mAh) provides two to four full phone charges. Keep one charged as part of your emergency kit. Solar chargers work but are slow and weather-dependent.
Prioritize phone use: outgoing communication, receiving alerts, and accessing stored information (emergency contacts, insurance photos, medical records). Social media and entertainment drain the battery you may need for a critical call.
What to stock and how to store
Standardize on one or two battery sizes across your emergency devices. AA is the most versatile. Devices that use AA batteries include headlamps, radios, flashlights, and many remote controls.
Alkaline batteries store well for 5 to 10 years in a cool, dry location. Lithium AA batteries (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) store for up to 20 years and perform better in extreme cold. They cost more but last significantly longer.
Rechargeable NiMH batteries (Eneloop or similar) provide the lowest long-term cost. Keep a set charged and a solar or hand-crank charger in your kit. They lose charge slowly during storage but should be topped off every six months.
- Priority 1: LED headlamps, NOAA weather radio, medical devices
- Priority 2: Phone (airplane mode when not in use)
- Priority 3: Everything else
- LED headlamps: 40 to 100+ hours on a set of AAs on low
- Keep a 10,000+ mAh battery bank charged in your emergency kit
- Standardize on AA batteries across emergency devices