Blackout in the middle of the night: Keep these items beside your bed

A power outage in the middle of the night feels very different from one during the day. You may wake because a fan stops, appliances go silent or an alarm begins to beep. At the same time, the room is completely dark and you may still be half asleep. That is when unnecessary injuries happen from tripping, searching in a hurry or reaching for the wrong light source.

Keep a small basic kit beside the bed. The most important item is a flashlight or headlamp that is always stored in the same place. Use one with charged batteries or a reliable rechargeable battery. A headlamp is especially useful because it keeps both hands free.

Glasses, sturdy slippers and mechanical keys should also be within reach. Walking barefoot through a dark home increases the chance of stepping on broken objects, toys or other hazards. Slippers with a firm sole offer simple protection.

Candles should not be your first light source. People who have just woken up move less carefully, and open flames add a fire risk. Start with a flashlight or rechargeable lamp. Use candles only when necessary and only in a safe holder.

Keep your phone close enough to reach at night. It provides communication, information and emergency light. If you charge it overnight, avoid leaving it in another room.

Homes with children, older adults or pets benefit from a simple plan. Decide who checks which room and who helps anyone who may need assistance. That prevents several people from moving unnecessarily through a dark home.

Before opening an electrical panel or checking breakers, first determine whether the outage affects only your home or the entire area. Looking out a window may show whether streetlights and neighboring buildings are also dark. Never inspect electrical equipment in complete darkness.

Apartment buildings may also lose elevators, electric door releases, garage doors, intercom systems and water pumps. Mechanical keys and a clear route to the exit therefore matter.

Nighttime blackout preparedness can be very simple: light, shoes, keys and a reachable phone. If those four things always stay in the same place, the first minutes of an outage begin with orientation instead of confusion.