Emergency Preparedness Made Simple for Everyday Families

This site is separated into three essential categories: preparing your home, getting ready to leave your home, and family emergency planning. Each category plays a vital role in your overall emergency preparedness.

Start with the basics: food and water. Buy a few gallons of water and shelf-stable food, then gradually expand your supplies as your budget allows. Each step builds your preparedness. The key is to avoid getting overwhelmed—just begin.

The general rule is to store at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Aim for a minimum of 3 days’ supply, but 2 weeks is even better. Properly stored, store-bought water is ideal.

Begin with non-perishable foods your family already enjoys, such as canned goods, rice, beans, pasta, and peanut butter. Aim for 1,500–2,000 calories per person per day. Over time, you can expand both your short-term and long-term food supplies.

A grab & go bag (also known as a 72-hour kit or bug-out bag) is a portable kit containing essential supplies to support you if you must evacuate quickly. It should include water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a change of clothing, hygiene items, and more. Each family member—and even pets—should have one.

Power outages can affect lighting, heating, cooking, and communication. Prepare by having backup lighting, non-electric cooking options, and battery banks for charging devices, so you can better handle both short- and long-term outages.

The best strategy is to understand your local hazards. Whether your area is prone to flooding, hurricanes, landslides, tornadoes, wildfires, or winter storms, knowing the risks helps you take targeted action. Learn about the hazards in your community to protect your family.

Family emergency plans can cover communication, evacuations, fire safety, and more. They must be tailored to your family’s needs and built through a thoughtful process that everyone understands and trusts. Master the planning process, then apply it to your specific needs.

Always evacuate with your pet—never leave them behind. While many needs are similar to your own (food, water), pets require additional planning, like identifying pet-friendly shelters, as many public places do not allow them. Plan ahead to ensure their safety.

Sign up for local emergency alerts via text or email. Keep a NOAA weather radio handy and follow official sources like FEMA and local government websites for reliable updates. Don’t rely solely on social media for accurate information.

Emergency preparedness is essential for staying safe during disasters, yet many preppers make avoidable mistakes that can undermine their efforts. These include outdated plans, inadequate or expired supplies, or relying on pre-packaged kits. These and other missteps can lead to unnecessary risks.

Focus on the basics first: water, food, and making simple family plans. Tackle one task at a time and gradually expand your supplies as your budget allows. Avoid doomsday thinking. Remember, practical preparedness isn’t about extreme measures; it’s about being ready for unexpected events like a job loss or natural disasters.