Why a Power Bank is Essential for Emergency Preparedness in Australia
When the power goes out, staying connected can be just as important as food, water and shelter.
Why every emergency kit should include a power bank
During blackouts, storms, bushfires and heatwaves, your phone becomes your main connection to emergency alerts, family, neighbours and services.
If the power is out and your battery dies, that connection disappears. A power bank gives you a simple and reliable way to keep essential devices running when mains power isn’t available and with a solar and USB rechargeable power bank, you can even top it up from the sun when the grid is down.
Why a power bank matters in real emergencies
- Power outages are common during extreme weather storms, cyclones, floods and heatwaves regularly cause blackouts across Australia.
- Your phone becomes your lifeline for emergency warnings, maps, weather updates and contacting family.
- Many other safety devices rely on USB power including radios, torches and essential accessories.
- Portable power works anywhere whether you’re sheltering at home, evacuating, or stuck without access to a wall outlet.
- Solar recharging adds real resilience a solar & USB rechargeable power bank lets you top it up from the sun or from mains power before an emergency, giving you a backup way to recharge when outages last longer.
Independent reporting by ABC News highlights how extreme heat and weather events continue to place pressure on Australia’s electricity networks and increase outage risk:
Read the ABC report on heatwaves and power outages
Solar & USB rechargeable top it up from the sun or from mains power.
What makes a good emergency power bank?
- Solar & USB rechargeable so you can top it up from the sun or from mains power before an emergency giving you two ways to stay powered.
- Enough capacity for multiple charges so you can run phones and small devices for more than one day.
- Fast and stable charging to avoid wasting time or risking device issues.
- Multiple USB ports so more than one device can be powered at the same time.
- Compact and durable design that fits easily inside an emergency kit or evacuation bag.
This is exactly why we include a power bank in many of our emergency kits and also offer it as a standalone upgrade for any household.
Which PrepMates kits include a power bank?
Several PrepMates emergency kits already include a power bank:
Crew Emergency Kit Seniors & Disability Emergency Kit | Essential Care Kit Seniors & Disability Emergency Kit | Easy Evac Care Kit Blackout Emergency Kit | Blackout Bucket Storm Emergency Kit | Ultimate Storm BucketPrefer to add it into another kit or keep one in the car? You can also purchase it on its own and add it to any setup.
Add a power bank to your kitPower bank questions
- How long will a power bank last during a blackout?
- It depends on your usage and the device you’re charging, but a quality power bank can provide multiple phone charges during an outage.
- Is a solar power bank worth it for emergencies?
- Yes. Solar recharge gives you a backup way to top up power when the grid is down ideal for longer outages, evacuations and storm seasons.
- Can a power bank charge emergency radios and torches?
- Often, yes. Many modern emergency radios and torches charge via USB, making a power bank a practical backup power source.
- Should every household have a power bank in their emergency kit?
- Yes. It’s one of the simplest ways to stay informed, contact family and access emergency information when mains power fails.
- Is it better to keep a power bank inside a kit or in your car?
- Ideally both. Many households keep one in their main kit and another in their vehicle for evacuations and travel.