Home Backup & Emergency Preparedness Editor
Sarah Whitfield
Sarah writes our emergency preparedness and home backup coverage. After living through Hurricane Irma in 2017 without power for 11 days, she became obsessed with building resilient home power systems. She holds a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certification and has consulted with three municipalities on household emergency preparedness guides.
CERT certified, 15+ years writing about home resilience
Articles by Sarah
seasonal
Tornado Season Power Prep 2026: Staying Ready When Storms Move Fast
Tornado season peaks in April-June across much of the US. Here's how to prepare your home for fast-moving storms, what to pack in a storm shelter kit, and how portable power keeps communication alive when the worst happens.
Apr 11, 2026
emergency
Summer Power Outage Prep: How to Survive a Heat Wave Without AC
Summer outages in 2026 are projected to break records as grid demand surges during heat waves. Here's how to prepare your home, protect vulnerable family members, and make the most of portable power when AC isn't an option.
Apr 9, 2026
buying-guides
Home Backup Power for Renters vs. Homeowners: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Renters and homeowners need fundamentally different home backup power strategies. We cover the best portable power stations for apartment dwellers, what works for single-family homes, and when a whole-home battery makes sense.
Apr 7, 2026
data
The Real Cost of Power Outages in America: Data, Trends, and What It Means for You
Power outages cost Americans $150 billion annually. We analyze the data on outage frequency, duration, causes, and financial impact — plus what the trends mean for backup power planning.
Mar 25, 2026
buying-guides
Best UPS with Cloud Monitoring in 2026 (Remote Management Guide)
The best UPS units with cloud monitoring and remote management in 2026. Compare APC SmartConnect, CyberPower PowerPanel Cloud, and other smart UPS options for home servers, NAS, and remote offices.
Feb 24, 2026
buying-guides
Best Power Stations for Medical Devices (CPAP, Oxygen, Nebulizers)
Find the right portable power station for CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, nebulizers, and other medical devices. Runtime calculations included.
Feb 21, 2026
emergency
How to Build an Emergency Power Kit (Complete Checklist)
Build a complete emergency power kit for 24-72 hour outages. Covers power stations, solar panels, lighting, cables, and a grab-and-go storage plan.
Feb 21, 2026
buying-guides
Best Inverter Generators for Home Backup Power (2026)
Our top inverter generators for whole-home backup during extended outages. We compare the Honda EU2200i, Champion 3500W, and Westinghouse iGen2500 on runtime, noise, and reliability.
Feb 20, 2026
emergency
Power Station + Generator Combo: The Ultimate Outage Strategy
Why pairing a portable power station with a generator is the smartest outage strategy. Best combos, how to use them together, and fuel storage tips for extended blackouts.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best Portable Power Stations for Home Backup (2026)
The best portable power stations for home emergency backup in 2026. Keep your fridge, medical devices, and internet running during outages with these tested picks.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best UPS Battery Backup for Gaming PCs in 2026
Protect your gaming PC and components from power surges and outages. The CyberPower CP1500AVRLCD and APC BR1500MS2 are the two best options — here's how to choose.
Feb 20, 2026
buying-guides
Best UPS Battery Backups for Home Offices (2026)
The best UPS battery backup units for home offices in 2026. We compare CyberPower, APC, and Tripp Lite models to protect your desktop, monitor, NAS, and router from outages and power surges.
Feb 20, 2026
seasonal
Hurricane Season 2026 Power Prep: Complete Guide to Keeping the Lights On
How to prepare for hurricane season 2026 with portable power stations, generators, and solar panels. Three tiers of power prep from basic to full home backup.
Feb 20, 2026
data
Power Outage Statistics by State 2026: Which States Lose Power Most?
Real power outage data by state for 2026. See which states lose power most, how long outages last, and why blackouts are increasing across the US.
Feb 20, 2026
guides
Portable Power Stations for Apartment Living: A Complete Guide
Apartment dwellers can't install generators or home batteries — but portable power stations are the perfect alternative. Here's how to pick the right one for your space, budget, and backup power needs.
Feb 20, 2026
seasonal
Spring Storm Season 2026: Tornado & Severe Weather Power Prep Guide
Tornado season peaks March-June with little warning. Here's how to prepare your portable power setup for spring storms, derechos, and severe weather outages.
Feb 20, 2026
emergency
Winter Storm Power Outage Guide: How to Stay Warm & Connected
How to survive a winter storm power outage with a portable power station or generator. Heating strategies, pipe protection, CPAP solutions, and carbon monoxide safety.
Feb 20, 2026
guides
How to Power Your Fridge During a Power Outage (Complete Guide)
Can a portable power station run your refrigerator? Yes — here's exactly what size you need, how long it'll last, and which models work best.
Feb 19, 2026
guides
Power Station vs UPS (Battery Backup): Which Do You Actually Need?
Portable power stations and UPS battery backups both provide backup power, but they're designed for very different jobs. Here's how to choose the right one.
Jan 19, 2026