The Lights-Out Test | Survival Rise

Question 1 · People & Plan

It’s 9:12 pm. The lights and TV cut out. What do you do first?

Your answer
Best answer: Look outside. If neighbors are dark, check the outage map. If it’s just you, check the breaker panel.

Knowing whether it’s just your home or the whole street tells you what to do next. If it’s only you, it’s often a tripped breaker. If it’s everyone, report it and settle in.

Question 2 · Safety

It’s getting dark inside. What do you light the house with?

Your answer
Best answer: Flashlights or headlamps, and I know exactly where they are.

Candles are a common cause of house fires during outages. Phone lights drain the battery you’ll need later. Real flashlights you can find in the dark are the answer.

Question 3 · Food & Water

What do you do with the fridge and freezer?

Your answer
Best answer: Keep both doors shut and open them only when we really need to.

A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours. A full freezer holds about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24 (USDA). Every time the door opens, that clock speeds up.

Question 4 · Power

Your phone is at 40%. What’s the move?

Your answer
Best answer: Low power mode, dim the screen, close apps, and check it only on a schedule.

Your phone is your flashlight, radio, and lifeline. Stretch it. Never run a car in a closed garage, even for a few minutes. Carbon monoxide builds up fast.

Question 5 · Power

How do you get ready for the moment the power comes back?

Your answer
Best answer: Unplug the TV, computer, and chargers, and leave one lamp switched on.

Power can surge when it returns and fry electronics. Unplug the sensitive stuff. The lamp tells you the moment power is back. The fridge can stay plugged in.

Question 6 · Food & Water

Which homes usually lose running water first in a power outage?

Your answer
Best answer: Homes on a private well.

Well pumps run on electricity, so the tap stops when the power does. If you’re on a well, fill the tub and some clean pots in the first hour.

Question 7 · Safety

A neighbor lends you a gas generator. Where do you run it?

Your answer
Best answer: Outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows.

Generators make carbon monoxide you can’t see or smell. Never run one inside the house, garage, or porch. The CDC says at least 20 feet from doors and windows.

Question 8 · Safety

When did you last test your carbon monoxide alarm?

Your answer
Best answer: Within the last month.

Outages are when carbon monoxide risk goes up, from generators, grills, and cars. Test the alarm monthly and swap batteries twice a year.

Question 9 · People & Plan

Your mom lives alone across town and keeps her medicine in the fridge. What do you do?

Your answer
Best answer: Call her now and make a plan for her medicine.

Anything that needs the fridge or an outlet needs a plan in the first hour. A two-minute call now saves a scary drive later.

Question 10 · People & Plan

Phones die and your family is split up. Do you have a meeting spot everyone knows?

Your answer
Best answer: Yes, and everyone, kids included, can say it out loud.

A plan only works if everyone knows it without looking it up. Pick a spot and say it at dinner this week.

Could your family pass the Lights-Out Test?

It’s 9:12 pm. The lights and TV cut out. What do you do first?

It’s getting dark inside. What do you light the house with?

What do you do with the fridge and freezer?

Your phone is at 40%. What’s the move?

How do you get ready for the moment the power comes back?

Which homes usually lose running water first in a power outage?

A neighbor lends you a gas generator. Where do you run it?

When did you last test your carbon monoxide alarm?

Your mom lives alone across town and keeps her medicine in the fridge. What do you do?

Phones die and your family is split up. Do you have a meeting spot everyone knows?

What kind of home do you live in?

Where does your water come from?

How each area scored

What you missed

It’s 9:12 pm. The lights and TV cut out. What do you do first?

It’s getting dark inside. What do you light the house with?

What do you do with the fridge and freezer?

Your phone is at 40%. What’s the move?

How do you get ready for the moment the power comes back?

Which homes usually lose running water first in a power outage?

A neighbor lends you a gas generator. Where do you run it?

When did you last test your carbon monoxide alarm?

Your mom lives alone across town and keeps her medicine in the fridge. What do you do?

Phones die and your family is split up. Do you have a meeting spot everyone knows?

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