Be prepared for a winter storm: 9 products I recommend if the power goes out

(Image credit: Shutterstock) I keep seeing “power outage” everywhere online. I scroll through my Instagram and see checklists of what to buy. My TikTok is filled with people trying to make commissions selling battery-powered torches. But let’s be realistic: we can't all afford to buy a full power-outage kit outright.Nor do most of us have a place to store it. And while I really do want to be prepared, I’m not going to head to my local grocery store with a list of 50 items — that’d be my entire weekly food budget in one shop.Instead, I’ve whittled it down to the 9 items you’d really need if a blackout lasts longer than an hour or two. You may already own some of these items, but if they’re tucked away, it might be smart to put them together, perhaps in a bag or box, ready to grab when needed.So, here are my 9 non-negotiables for power cut preparations. Along with these items, you’ll also need to gather non-perishable food to store in your pantry.Quick linksBiopure Antibacterial Hand Wipes: $5Mart Cobra Emergency Blanket, 4 Pack: $6Amazon's Choice First Aid Kit, 300 pieces: was $24 now $14Lepro Battery Powered Waterproof Led Headlight, 2 Pack: $15Lepro Led Camping Lantern, 4 Pack: $15Xlentpac Collapsible Water Container 8l/2.1 gallon: $18Fospower NOAA Emergency Weather Radio: was $39 now $31Gaganiu Insulated Water Bottle, 1 g allon: $39Renogy Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter, 1,000W: was $269 now $2429 must-have supplies in a power cut (Image credit: Future)Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!More from Tom's Guide 3 warning signs your home needs attention before a small fix becomes a big billThe 4 emergency phone tweaks that keep your battery alive in a power outageWinter storms are coming — drain your sprinkler system now before it freezes and cracksGet instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Annie is a freelancer at Tom's Guide. She's been an Editor at various home magazines for 7 years — reviewing and writing about everything from cleaning products to air fryers and mattresses. Annie started her career at Real Homes as Deals Editor in 2018 and by 2020 she was the UK Shopping Editor at Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, and Ideal Home. She was in charge of the majority of eCommerce content on these sites, including reviews and buying guides. Now, as a freelancer, she writes features, reviews, and guides for several brands including BBC Good Food, Ideal Home, and Parade Home & Garden.