My wife says to remind everyone to keep a flash-light (with good batteries). It is not a bad idea to have one in the dining room and family room as well. This is good for an earthquake, or hurricane or whatever. I will add keep one in your car as well, and if you work in a place with no windows (teachers), have a flash-light where you can find it.

I'll never forget being in the teachers workroom when the electricity went out, with 10 otjher teachers trying to feel our ways to the door in pitch darkness.
Also keep a radio with fresh batteries (unless you can find one of those neat wind up (yes you wind it like a clock and it has a mainspring to run the generator) South African radios.

One more thing, land lines are more likely to work in an emergency.