My residence had a fire outbreak recently. Bad things happen without warning and this isn't the sort of incident one would expect. You don't realize the value of things until you experience them in person.

It was the first time in my life that something like that had happened to me. The unfortunate incident gave me a new appreciation for portable power banks. You read that correctly. I will give you some context if you are confused.

In the thick of it all

Burning matchstick held in hand

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

Imagine that you're in your bedroom and you're typing on your laptop. Family members are outside. It's almost dinner time and your cat is sleeping near you.

As you ponder over the menu for the night, the power goes out and you are left completely dark. The noise of a knock interrupted your line of thought.

This is probably the worst thing that could happen. Your phone is almost dead, there is no light on a hot, humid night, and there is a fire downstairs. Feelings of regret for not going with the Pro model are included in a flurry of panicked thoughts.

Since we were all completely unprepared for such an event, a lot of our emergency lights were hidden away in dusty corners or just flat dead.

This is what happened to me when I was about to go to the movies. Nobody was hurt when the fire was contained. As I sat in the dark apartment, trying to stay calm and figure out what to do next, we had a single source of power in the entire household.

The laptop power bank was very useful in times of need. Our emergency lights were hidden away in corners or just dead, since we were completely unprepared for such an event. I was able to turn on the lamps. The power bank allowed us to charge a couple of phones so that we could get status updates from our neighbors.

What to do when Plan B fails

Jackery Explorer 300, Baseus Blade, Chromebook

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

It's important to have a backup source of power in case of an emergency. We should have a Plan C in place if Plan B fails because a lot of us rely on backup generators.

Our backup generator went up in flames during the power outage. There was no electricity in the area. What are you going to do when your backups fail?

I want you to get some decent portable power stations for the love of all that you have. Sometimes, preparing can save a life.

The majority of battery packs come with multiple ports. I recommend a versatile power station if you can afford it. Check to see if the gadgets are charged fully when you keep a mix of them.

It pays to be prepared, and sometimes, it can even save a life.

It's a good idea to have everyone in your household invest in a power bank with a high power output. They can grab a small battery pack if the worst happens to you or someone you care about. There is nothing better than a dead phone.

If your phone supports wireless charging, portable power banks are a great idea. One might forget to grab a cable when scrambling to safety because of panic. A built-in cable is one of the clever solutions.

You need to be prepared to deal with an emergency situation that may or may not be life threatening. It's possible to get assistance in time if you have a small battery pack in your possession.

I don't know enough about backup power and emergency readiness. Chris Wedel's expert advice could benefit you and me in the future. He said to prepare for power outages caused by events that are not yours.

Expert advice for your emergency power needs

EcoFlow Delta Pro Camping

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Chris Wedel wrote the passages.

Although I have not been in a fire situation like my colleague, my family and I reside in Kansas, which is part of Tornado Alley. In addition to the tornadoes which send us to our storm shelter, we also have high winds, hail, lightning, and heavy rain. There is a need for backup power when there is frequent power outages.

Like Namerah's fire emergency, these power outages can last a long time. Thankfully, my family has not been directly hit by tornadoes, but I try to be prepared. The cells' health is extended by keeping at least one of the best high-capacity power banks. I'll charge it up if there's a chance of severe weather.

While high capacity devices like portable power stations can be expensive, in an emergency, they are priceless.

I make sure I have a power station prepared. The portable power stations can hold more power than a power bank. They are priceless in an emergency. In other situations, it can be very useful.

Smaller power stations can provide up to 300W of power, perfect for lamps, laptops, phones, and other small appliances. There are options like the EcoFlow Delta Pro with 3600W, which is enough power to run major appliances like a refrigerator.

If power is out for a long time, you can keep your power station up and running by using a solar panel.