A social story for a power outage
A social story for a power outage: lights go off, the fridge goes quiet, a flashlight comes out, and grown-ups keep everyone safe until the power comes back.
When the power goes out, the lights, screens and fridge stop for a while. A grown-up gets a flashlight. Everyone stays together until the power comes back.
The outage story
Carol Gray's 10.2 criteria describe sentences that tell what happens and why, in a calm, patient voice (Social Stories 10.2 Criteria, accessed November 10, 2026). These lines are first person.
When the Lights Go Out
Sometimes the power goes out. It can happen in a storm or on a quiet day.
The lamps turn off. The TV goes dark. The fridge stops humming.
It may feel strange or a little scary. That is okay.
My grown-up gets the flashlight from the kitchen drawer.
I stay near my grown-up. I do not walk around in the dark by myself.
We can read with the flashlight, play cards, or sing.
The workers fix the power lines. Then the lights come back on.
A little support for the week ahead.
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Practice before the next storm
Read the story on a sunny day first. Then try a short practice: turn off the lights for five minutes, take out the flashlight, and play one game in its light.
Show your child where the flashlights live. KidsHealth suggests keeping flashlights handy for outages as part of a basic home safety plan (Leaving Your Child Home Alone, accessed November 10, 2026).
Make it match your house
- Name your real flashlight spot: drawer, shelf, hook by the door.
- If you use battery lanterns or a glow stick, add that line.
- If your child uses a device that needs charging, add one sentence about what happens instead.
Keep the safety lines short
Children don't need the whole emergency plan. Two lines are enough: stay near a grown-up, and don't touch candles or the stove.
More free stories arrive by email from the Social Stories list.
Printable: a monster-spray label you can use with this story.
FAQ
My child is scared of the dark. Will this help?
Practicing with a flashlight in daylight first can make it feel more familiar. Keep a small light by the bed if that is part of your routine.
What if the outage lasts a long time?
Add a line about what changes, such as sleeping in one room or eating cold snacks, so the next part is not a surprise.
Should we use candles?
Flashlights are safer around children. If adults use candles, keep them out of reach.
Sources & further reading
- Social Stories 10.2 Criteria (Carol Gray, PDF). Accessed November 10, 2026., Carol Gray Social Stories
- Leaving Your Child Home Alone (Nemours KidsHealth). Accessed November 10, 2026., Nemours KidsHealth
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