Power outage tips for apartments and condos: elevators, stairs, balcony rules, tight storage, small power stations, water and building communication.
- Learn what your building does and does not do in an outage.
- Never use generators, grills or camp stoves on balconies or indoors.
- Battery power stations suit apartments because they are quiet and fume-free.
Living in an apartment or condo changes outage planning. You have less storage, you cannot run a generator, and you may depend on elevators and pumps. The good news is that a compact, well-chosen kit goes a long way.
Know what stops working in your building
Ask your property manager or condo board what happens in an outage. Find out whether the building has backup power for hallway lights, stairwells and elevators, and for how long. In many buildings the elevators stop, water pumps on upper floors may fail, and electronic door locks or fobs may not work. Learn where the stairwells are and make sure you can walk down them, with a light, if needed.
Elevators and stairs
Never take an elevator when the power is out or during a fire alarm. If you are stuck in one, use the emergency button or phone and wait for help; do not try to climb out. If you live on a high floor or have mobility limits, talk to building management ahead of time about an assistance plan. Keep a flashlight by your door and one in your bag so you can use the stairs safely.
No generators, grills or camp stoves on balconies
This is the big one. Gas generators, charcoal and propane grills and camp stoves produce carbon monoxide and are a fire risk. They should never be used indoors, on a balcony or near windows and vents, and most building rules and fire codes forbid them anyway. Carbon monoxide can drift back inside and cannot be seen or smelled. If you want backup power in an apartment, choose battery based options. Our guide to solar generators versus gas generators explains the difference.
Make the most of small spaces
- Use under-bed bins or a shelf in a hall closet for your kit.
- Store water in flat, stackable containers, and see how much water to store for amounts.
- Choose compact, shelf-stable food that needs little or no cooking.
- Keep a small lantern in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.
- Share a bigger supply with a neighbour: one stocks water, one stocks lighting.
Small power stations are a good fit
A portable power station is quiet, produces no fumes and can run indoors, which suits apartments. It can keep phones, a router, lights and a small fan or CPAP going. Work out what you need to run first with our power station sizing guide, and see our power station hub to compare options. Read the manual for ventilation and charging advice.
Water and sanitation
If building pumps stop, water pressure may drop or disappear on higher floors. Keep stored drinking water, plus extra for flushing. Fill a bathtub or large containers early if you receive advance notice, but only use this water for flushing and cleaning unless you treat it. See our water hub for storage and filtering ideas.
Building communication
Sign up for any building notification system, and save the property manager's and the utility's numbers in your phone. Introduce yourself to neighbours, especially those who are older or have health needs, and agree to check on each other. Post a notice only if building management allows it. Use outage alerts from your utility for restoration estimates.
Cooking without a stove
If your range is electric, you will lose it. Plan on foods that need no cooking. Never use a barbecue or camp stove indoors. See how to cook without power for safe choices.
A short apartment checklist
- Flashlight by the door and in the bedroom
- Water for each person for three days
- No-cook food and a manual can opener
- Power bank and, if budget allows, a small battery power station
- Battery carbon monoxide alarm
- Property manager and utility numbers saved in your phone
Tick these off using the 72-hour checklist.
Quick answers
Can I use a small generator on my balcony?
No. Gas generators produce carbon monoxide and are a fire risk, and most buildings forbid them. Battery power stations are a safer choice for apartments.
What should I do if I am stuck in an elevator?
Use the emergency button or phone, stay calm and wait for help. Do not try to force the doors or climb out.