emergency

The Truth: They want us unprepared!! When the Lights go Out A Mother’s Honest talk about Preparing for Blackouts with Kids.

Here’s the part most people don’t want to say outloud, The ‘government isn’t going to come running right away! In fact, i honestly think they’re trying to catch us off guard.

Blackout’s food shortages, sudden emergencies, when it happens, everyday families like mines and yours are the ones left struggling. Thats why it feels so important to me as a mom that we need to take preparation into our own hands.

When the lights go out, you don’t want to be waiting on “help”. You want to already have what your children need right inside your apartment.

Let me tell you what happened to me one day.

Last winter, i had just picked up the kids from daycare after a long day of work. i prepped dinner early that morning so i didn’t have to do much except put the meat in the oven and make some quick sides. The children was playing in their rooms i heard a loud electricity sound like something had just got shocked. I grabbed the flashlight i keep in the corner of my counter and went to the kids room. They was on the floor crying i grabbed them, sat them on the couch with a tablet, grabbed some snacks and blankets ( it was cold outside) and waited on my husband to get home. My husband came home and made P&J sandwiches with chips and that was dinner. We all fell asleep on the couch. We stayed home the next day from work the daycare had no power. later on that evening the lights came back on. The power went out in our apartment for almost 12 hours. I’ll be honest, it shook me. As a mom with little ones, nothing feels scarier than not knowing how to keep them safe, comfortable, and calm in the dark.

That night, I had two toddlers curled up in my lap asking ” mommy when will the lights come back on”? I didn’t have the answer for them but what i did have was a small flashlight, some extra blankets, and a lot of snacks with prayers.

That experience changed me. I realized that even as a renter in a small apartment, i could and should be prepared. Since then, I’ve started building a simple blackout kit that dosen’t take up much space but gives me peace of mind for my family.

My Blackout Kit for my apartment.

These emergency essentials for families that i personally keep on hand:

  • Portable Power Bank– a lifesaver when you need to charge phones or tablets to keep kids entertained.

Why Mom’s Should Prepare

Prepping isn’t about being scared- its about being ready. In a small apartment or rental, spaces, we don’t always have the luxury of storage or backup power. However even a few smart purchases can make a huge difference.

When your Prepared:

  • Kids stay calmer.
  • You feel more in control
  • The whold family gets through blackouts with less stress.

One Step at a Time

From one mother to another, start small. Add one emergency item at a time. Even just a flashlight and a power bank can change how your family experience the next power outage.

See my suggestions here.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally believe are useful for emergency preparedness and family safety.

Winter Blackouts are coming! 10 Small-Space Hacks to store Emergency Supplies in Your Apartment.

Winter is beautiful-but lets be real, it also brings unexpected storms, freezing temps, and the possibilities of power outages. If your like me, and live in an apartment with children or a small space, you don’t have a basement full of supplies. Thats why prepping smartly-compactly-is a must.

The good news? You dont have to have a bunker to be ready. Just a few well, chosen essentials can make all the difference for your family. If you live in an apartment, you already know space is a luxury. Add kids, pets, into the mix, and suddenly your “emergency stash” feels impossible. But here’s the truth: prepping in small spaces is 100% doable—you just need the right hacks and tools.

Here are 10 Amazon finds that will help you store everything from food to flashlights—without turning your living room into a bunker.

1. Under-Bed Storage Bins 🛏️

That empty space under your bed? Goldmine. Slide in a few clear storage bins and you’ve got room for bottled water, canned food, or first-aid kits.

👉 Shop under-bed storage bins here

2. Over-the-Door Organizers 🚪

Perfect for hygiene kits, flashlights, and even small snack packs for kids. These vertical solutions save tons of closet space.

👉 See over-the-door organizers on Amazon

3. Stackable Pantry Containers 🍝

Rice, beans, pasta—all your blackout-friendly foods—stay fresh and compact in stackable containers. They also make your pantry look organized (a win-win).

👉 Shop stackable pantry containers here

4. Vacuum-Seal Bags for Blankets & Clothes 🧺

Bulky items like extra blankets, winter coats, and baby clothes shrink down flat when you vacuum-seal them. Store them under the couch or bed until needed.

👉 Check out vacuum-seal storage bags here

5. Rolling Utility Carts 🛒

These slim carts fit in tight corners and can hold candles, lanterns, hygiene kits, and snacks. Roll it out when you need it, tuck it away when you don’t.

👉 Shop rolling utility carts here

6. Shelf Risers 📦

Double your space instantly. Great for stacking water bottles, cleaning supplies, or baby wipes without taking up more floor space.

👉 See closet shelf risers on Amazon

7. Multi-Use Ottoman with Storage 🪑

Need extra seating? Hide your prepping stash inside a storage ottoman. Store blankets, non-perishables, or even small solar chargers.

👉 Shop ottomans with hidden storage here

8. Hanging Closet Organizers 👕

These vertical fabric shelves are perfect for organizing food pouches, diapers, or hygiene kits.

👉 Check out hanging closet organizers here

9. Balcony Storage Box 🌆

If you’ve got a balcony, don’t waste it. A waterproof deck box can hold water bottles, propane, or camping gear.

👉 See balcony storage boxes here

10. Wall-Mounted Floating Shelves 📚

When floor space is tight, go up. Store lightweight supplies like flashlights, batteries, or first-aid kits high and out of reach of kids.

👉 Shop floating shelves here

🌟 Final Thoughts

Living in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t prep—it just means you need to be smart about space. With these 10 Amazon finds, you can stay prepared for blackouts, storms, or emergencies without cluttering your home.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally believe are useful for emergency preparedness and family safety.

3 Things to do immediately if the power goes out.

When the power suddenly flickers off and the room goes dark, most people panic. But the first few minutes of a power outage, knowing what to do immediately can make the difference between chaos and calm.

Here are 3 most important power outage survival tips to take away when the power goes out.

1 Secure Light Sources First

Don’t waist time fumbling in the dark. Your first move should be to grab a flashlight, headlight, or battery-powered lantern. Avoid candles if possible, there a fire risk especially with kids or pets.

💡Tip: Keep a flashlight in every major room (especially bedrooms and kitchen) so you never have to search in the dark. This is one of the most overlooked blackout safety tips for families.

Check Your Devices and Save Power

The second step is to protect your communication Tools. Quickly check your phone, portable chargers, and laptop. If your phone is under 50% pit it on low-power mode immediately.

  • Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to save batteries.
  • Unplug sensitive electronics (TV’s, Gaming systems, computers ) to prevent damage when the power comes back on.
  • Store your portable power bank in your emergency preparedness kit.

💡Parents: Download a movie or offline game before the battery drains-it can keep kids calm during a long blackout.

3 Assess the Situation and Prepare.

Now that you have light and a working phone, find out if it’s just your home or a larger outage.

  • Look outside: Are the streetlights or neighbors homes dark too?
  • Check out map (if you still have internet or cell service).
  • Secure your essentials: Gather water, snacks, and comfort items if you expect a long outage.

💡Apartment Dwellers: Fill your bathtub or sink up with water if you suspect the outage may last-water pumps often fail in extended blackouts. This is one of the most important apartment blackout survival steps many forget.

Final Thoughts

The first 10 minutes of a power outage sets the tone for the entire experience. By following these three immediate steps-secure light, save power and assess the situation- you’ll stay calm, safe, and ready no matter how long the blackout last.

💡Prep Tip: Create a small “Blackout Bag” with flashlights, a portable charger and snacks so you’ll never be unprepared. Check out Blackout Essentials every apartment parent parent should have.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally believe are useful for emergency preparedness and family safety.

5 Blackout Essentials Every Parent that live in an apartment should have

Blackouts in apartments can be stressful- and as a mother with kids, i know it can feel overwhelming with little ones in the mix. From keeping them safe to making sure they stay fed and entertained, parents need a compact, effective prep plan. Here are 5 essential items every parent that live in an apartment should have.

1: Kid friendly Led Lanterns Child-Safe Led Lantern glow in the dark. Candles are to risky with curious hands around. Rechargeable LED lanterns provide safe, long-lasting light and even some double as phone chargers.

💡Parent prep tip: Keep one lantern in your child’s room and one in the living area to reduce fear of the dark.

2: Portable Power bank. A high- capacity power bank keeps phones and tablets running, perfect for keeping kids entertained during a blackout.

💡Parent Prep Tip: Recharge monthly to ensure it’s ready in an emergency.

3: Kid Friendly Food and Water

Pre-Portioned snackes and bottled water for children during a blackout. Stock at least 3 days of water (1 gallon per person/day) and easy-to-prepare, kid friendly foods like cereal bars, canned fruit, and peanut butter.

💡Parent Prep Tip: Pre-Portion snacks into containers – easier for kids to grab and keep things organized.

4: Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio. Stay informed during outages. A battery- powered or hand-crank radio keeps you updated on weather alerts and emergencies.

💡Parent Prep Tip: Radios with built-in flashlights double as night lights for storytelling or comfort.

5: Mini Family Emergency Kit. Family blackout emergency kit with glow sticks, blankets, first aid, and comfort items. Store it in a backpack so kids can help carry it.

💡Parent Prep Tip: Let the kids help organize the kit- it gives them confidence and reduces anxiety during the actual blackout.

Apartment living with kids means prepping smart and compact. With these five essentials, parents can keep their family safe, fed, and calm during any blackout. Start building your kit today- your future (and your children will thank you.