Be Prepared: Battling a Blackout
By Karen Fanning

The co-owner of a food market takes supplies to co-workers at a car dealership where he works in Detroit, Michigan (Photo: Paul Warner /AP Wide World)

Last week, an estimated 50 million people were left in the dark when a massive power outage downed electricity in eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Were you one of them?

Maybe you escaped this time around, but next time, you might not be so lucky. If a blackout struck your hometown, would you be left stumbling in the dark?

You can avoid all the blackout blues by keeping a power-outage survival kit in an easy-to-find place.

Here is a list of must-have items for your kit:

Don't be left in the dark! A battery-operated flashlight will help you get around the house without taking a tumble.

Candles provide another source of light when your house goes dark. But don't forget to blow out each and every candle when you leave the room. Leaving a lit candle unattended is a serious fire hazard.

Keep a box of matches handy. Without matches, your candles will be useless.

A battery-operated radio will allow you to stay hip to all the latest news, including the day's most important news item—when your power will be restored!

Don't be late! A battery-operated clock will keep you running on time.

Chase away hunger pains! Refrigerated food will spoil during a blackout, so don't forget to stock up on bottled water and canned goods.

Keep a manual can opener within reach so you're able to open your canned goods without a hassle.