Re: Phones - Also - make sure you have a cheapy phone in the house that is not cordless. Cordelss phones require electric power to operate, even if they are charged. The old corded ones need no power for use as long as the phone lines are still working.
Absolutely! I forgot that, too!
Another thing - If you have a laptop computer make sure it is charged. If the power goes out it will still work for a couple of hours and you may still be able to reach the internet thru dial up.