Free template · updated November 3, 2026

Power outage instructions for guests (template)

When the power goes out in an unfamiliar house, guests don't know where the breaker panel is, whether the water still runs or if it's safe to light candles. A calm one-page plan makes a scary night much easier.

This template covers checking whether it's just your place, resetting a tripped breaker, light, heat and cooling, food in the fridge, water on a well, the things never to do indoors, and who to call. Fill in your panel location and utility number.

The template

Replace anything in [brackets] with your own details.

First, check

Look outside. If the neighbours are dark too, it's a wider outage. You can check [Utility outage map or number].
If it's only us, the breaker panel is at [Panel location]. If a switch has flipped to the middle, push it fully off, then back on. If it trips again, leave it off and tell us.

Light and phones

Flashlights and lanterns are in [Flashlight location]. Please use these instead of candles.
A phone power bank is in [Power bank location].

Staying warm or cool

Cold: keep doors and curtains closed and layer up. Extra blankets are in [Blanket location]. [Backup heat, e.g. the wood stove works without power; see its instructions.]
Hot: close blinds on the sunny side, open windows in the evening, and drink plenty of water.

Food and water

Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A closed fridge keeps food cold for about four hours. If in doubt, throw it out.
[Water note, e.g. Our well pump needs power, so taps will stop. Drinking water is in Location, and you can flush the toilet by pouring a bucket of water into the bowl.]

Please never

Use a barbecue, camp stove, gas oven or generator indoors or in the garage for heat or cooking. It can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Go near a fallen power line. Stay at least 10 metres away and call [Utility emergency number].

Who to call

Outages: [Utility outage number]
Us: [Host name], [Host phone]
Emergency: [Emergency number]

Tips

Label every breaker in the panel clearly; guests can't reset what they can't identify.
Leave battery or rechargeable lights instead of candles; they are much safer in a strange house.
Tell guests how your water, heat and septic pump behave without power, since rural homes surprise people.
Keep a few litres of bottled water in the pantry if you're on a well.
Check the CO alarms have working batteries, as plug-in alarms may not work during an outage without a battery backup.

Put it on one guest page instead of a binder

Keegix turns your welcome book into one link and a QR sign by the door. Upload the binder you already have and AI drafts the page in about a minute, or paste this template in. Free forever for one property.

Upload my binder, free See a sample guest page

Questions

What should a rental guest do when the power goes out?

Check whether neighbours are out too, then look at the breaker panel. Use flashlights rather than candles, keep the fridge closed and call the host.

Will the water work in a power outage?

On town water it usually keeps running. On a well, the pump needs electricity, so taps stop unless there's a generator.

How long is food safe in the fridge during an outage?

A closed fridge generally keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer much longer. When in doubt, throw it out.

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