Power for light, refrigeration and communication. The basis is calculated for 72 hours without the grid, in stages from torch and power bank to solar, power station and a safely operated generator. For longer situations up to 30 days the combination counts: solar charges in summer, the generator bridges winter and bad weather in short charging windows.
Last reviewed on 26.07.2026
This template can be saved and customised in your account as your own tickable checklist.
a headlamp keeps your hands free; add spare batteries
Camping lantern / LED lantern
—
—
Candles & tea lights
supply
never leave unattended – LED lights are the safer choice
Matches & lighters
—
—
Batteries
Batteries
Item
Amount
Note
AA / AAA batteries
large pack
—
Rechargeables + charger (also solar)
—
store them charged, top them up every few months
Button cells
—
check devices beforehand
Power & charging
Power & charging
Item
Amount
Note
Power banks (large)
≥ 2
store them charged, top them up every few months
12 V adapter for the car
—
—
Car: fuel tank & battery at least half full
—
petrol stations stop working during a power cut
Know the fridge/freezer rule: fridge 6 h, freezer 24 h
—
official guide values of the Canton of Zurich – keep the appliances closed; a well-filled freezer stays cold longer
Solar & power station
Solar & power station
Item
Amount
Note
Power station (LiFePO4)
≥ 1 kWh
optional, very useful – pure sine wave; do not charge below 0 °C; ½–1 day of fridge & freezer per kWh
Solar panel / solar charger (foldable)
100–400 W
the main source in summer, only a supplement in winter – December delivers 3–6× less than July
Plug-in solar (balcony solar): notify the grid operator in writing beforehand
—
max. 600 W; a power station with a panel in off-grid (island) mode needs no notification
Operating emergency power safely
Operating emergency power safely
Item
Amount
Note
Emergency generator (inverter, 2000-W class)
—
optional – pure sine wave for refrigeration; 2× 2 h a day is enough: a freezer keeps for 24 h if it stays closed
Operate outdoors only – never in the house, garage or cellar
—
exhaust fumes contain lethal CO; keep at least 6 m from windows, doors and vents (recommendation of the U.S. agency CPSC)
CO detector (EN 50291 standard)
—
cheap and effective: warns of the invisible, odourless carbon monoxide when you cook or heat with a flame indoors – replace the sensor after 5–10 years; it does not replace the distance rules
Never connect it to the house wiring yourself
—
plug appliances in directly – a permanent connection only by an electrician (Art. 6 of the Swiss Low Voltage Installations Ordinance (NIV/OIBT), ESTI Directive No. 220)
Fuel in an approved canister
72 h ≈ 6 L
max. 25 L per room, cool, ventilated, not in living areas; use it up on a rotating basis – petrol ages
Longer than 72 h: recharge in hybrid mode
30 days ≈ 60 L
solar charges the power station, the generator steps in during fog and in winter – 2 charging windows a day ≈ 2 L of fuel; more than 25 L per room is not permitted, plan for resupply
Refuel cold
—
switch the engine off and let it cool down
Extension cable for outdoor use (IP44, H07RN-F)
—
always unwind the cable drum completely – only one third of the power is permitted when coiled