September is National Preparedness Month, making this a good time to ask an uncomfortable question: Could your household function for three full days without electricity? A power outage sounds manageable until the refrigerator warms up, phones run low, the house gets dangerously hot or cold, and stores nearby cannot process cards.
The American Red Cross says major disasters are now occurring about once every two weeks, roughly twice as often as a decade ago, making preparation more than a storm-season exercise. A practical 72-hour power outage preparedness plan can help a family handle those first difficult days without panic or last-minute shopping.
