Disclosure: this page contains one affiliate link, marked below. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
A blackout of a few hours is an inconvenience. A week is a different problem, especially in a house with a well, a septic system and a propane or gas furnace that all depend on electricity. This test takes about ten minutes and shows you where to start. It is a planning aid, not a promise that your house will be safe.
How to score
For each area, give yourself 0 (no plan), 1 (partial plan) or 2 (tested plan: you have done it once). Add up your eight scores. Maximum: 16.
The eight areas
- Power. Do you know what must keep running (fridge, well pump, furnace blower, medical devices) and how you would run it for a day without grid power?
- Water. Do you have a stored supply and a way to get more if the well pump stops? Have you thought about how you would drink, cook and flush?
- Heat or cooling. Could you keep one room safe for seven days in your coldest or hottest week? Do you have a safe way to heat without risking carbon monoxide?
- Food. Could you eat for seven days without shopping, and without the freezer? Do you have a way to cook without mains power?
- Sanitation. If water and septic pumping fail, what is your plan for waste and hygiene?
- Communication. Do you have a charged battery bank, a radio, and a list of numbers on paper?
- Money and documents. Do you have some cash in small bills, and copies of key documents in one place?
- Health. Do you have prescriptions for at least a week, basic first aid and a plan for anyone who depends on powered equipment?
What your total means
| Score | Where you are | Next move |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Early | Pick the two lowest areas and fix those this weekend. |
| 6-10 | Partial | Test one plan for real: run the house on your backup for a day. |
| 11-16 | Solid | Write it down, share it with the household, and re-check every season. |
Where people usually lose points
Most households score high on food and low on sanitation and communication. Those are also the areas people think about last. If you are stuck, our guides on long-term water storage, a two-week blackout plan and how many watts a house uses cover the practical details.
Want a structured version?
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy.
If you would rather be walked through it, the seller of the 3-7-30 Household Resilience Plan offers a free 20-question assessment (about 4 to 6 minutes) that scores eight readiness areas and suggests what to address first. To see your results you have to give an email address and agree to receive the seller’s marketing emails. The full plan is a separate paid digital product with printable tools; check the seller’s page for what is included and its terms. We have not tested it.
Take the free readiness assessment
This article is general information, not electrical, medical, fuel or structural advice. Check local codes and consult a qualified professional for anything involving wiring, generators, heating or health conditions.