Are you ready for an emergency? Most safety resources will state that you should be prepared to go at least 72 hours on your own, which means having a stockpile of supplies. Having an emergency supply kit is crucial because you can ensure you have everything you need, in the event of an emergency.
An emergency preparedness checklist will ensure you have everything you need to keep you—and your family members safe. But don’t worry! We have created a detailed list for you to have in the future. With everything going on in the world, it is never a bad idea to be ready for the worst…
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Building your kit from the most basic of needs is the way to go. Start with things you know you will need and get a reasonable supply of them. Pick a good storage space for them, like in your basement or a cold room. If you have neither, an empty closet or spare bedroom will do!
Essential Supplies for Your Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Water
You should have at least one gallon of water, per person, per day on hand. If possible, you should have at least 2 weeks’ worth of water on hand. Store extra water if someone in the house is pregnant or sick (including sick furbabies!). If you are filling bottles of water to store, you should replace the water every 6 months to avoid contamination.
You can also purchase water purification devices, like the LifeStraw, which can filter up to 1000 gallons of water in its lifetime!
Food
An emergency can easily disrupt food transport and grocery stores, so having at least 3-days worth of non-perishable food items is vital. Some people even practice cooking and canning food to guarantee they have enough.
It’s important to consider allergies, special dietary needs, and if you have an infant in the house when putting together your kit. Avoid foods that are too salty or spicy because these foods will make you drink more water. If you don’t have time to shop, companies like Mountain House offer bulk items that you can ship directly to your home.
When you first get your food and water, keep a record of these items. Write down the expiry dates in this book, so you know exactly when everything needs to be replaced.
Foods that store well:
- Bags of Rice.
- Canned meat like tuna and salmon.
- Canned or dried milk
- Protein bars
- Dried fruit
- Food for your pets (canned food or kibble)
- Food for infants like canned baby food or an extra can of formula.
- peanut butter
- Crackers
These are just a few options for foods that store well. When you’re planning your food reserve, look for foods that can go without refrigeration and ideally, don’t expire quickly.
First Aid Kit ( A Vital Part of Your Emergency Preparedness Checklist)
You can buy or build your first aid kit. Also, we recommend purchasing one, as buying the individual items will take some time and be pricey. You can get a nice kit from the Red Cross for less than $60.
If you choose to make your kit, here are some items you should include:
- Gloves
- Gauze.
- Ointment.
- Bandages and tourniquets.
- Alcohol or alcohol wipes.
- First Aid tape roll.
- Burn ointment.
- Small pair of scissors.
- A sling.
- an emergency blanket.
- Toilet paper
- Kleenex
Having other items like plastic sheeting, garbage bags, duct tape, a complete change of clothing for each family member, is useful as well!
Flashlights & Batteries
Aim to have lots of batteries for your electronics. But, finding items like radios that have crank chargers or solar-powered charging is the way to go. Batteries can become corroded in a short period of time!
Have at least one flashlight per person, lots of candles, and a couple of headlamps available. Be vigilant when using candles so you don’t cause a fire. Emergency services could be delayed or not in service depending on how bad things are. This is why having a first-aid kit and practicing fire safety is important.
Personal Documents for Your Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Identification: These are our IDs, birth certificates, passports, and other important documents. It’s good to have all of these in one spot so you can grab and go!
Important Contacts- Keep an address book with the contacts you may need in an emergency (poison control, animal control, etc). In addition, list any friends or family members you can rely on!
Medical information- List all of you and your family members’ medical conditions, allergies, physical limitations, etc.
Developing a Communication Plan
Family communication is critical, and it’s especially vital in an emergency. Keeping everyone organized and in the loop will be your main goal.
Establish Meeting Points
There will be times when you and your family are separated. If this happens during an emergency, you will want to have a designated meeting spot that’s safe. Pick your area, preferably one close to your home and hidden, and let everyone know. Also, ensure each family member knows where it is, and how to get there!
Community Resources for Emergency Preparedness
Be aware of which services and resources are available in your community in case of an emergency. Know the phone numbers and locations of fire stations, hospitals, medical centers, and pharmacies. Likewise, find out if your area has any shelters or storm centers. For example, in Canada, most Walmarts and the YMCAs are safe havens during storms or other emergencies. They are built to withstand storms and have a generator so you can charge your devices.
Some emergencies—like flash floods—can overwhelm communities in minutes, cutting off access to roads, shelters, or even basic services. To stay safe in these fast-moving situations, check out our guide: Flash Flood Warning: The One Alert You Should Never Ignore. It breaks down exactly what to do when water starts rising and time is short.
Securing Your Home For Emergency Preparedness
This is something that should be done regardless of the state of the world. Your home is your castle, and it should be treated as a fortress!
Securing Windows and Doors
Ensure the locks on every door and window in your home are secure. Check these monthly, and replace or fix anything that needs to be fixed. Remember that your security system will not work during a power outage. Think about what you can do to secure your home that doesn’t involve power. For example, replacing the small screw on your door with a large screw is an easy and cheap way to reinforce your doors!
Safe Rooms
Consider having a safe room or area for you and your family. Many people choose to use their basement as a safe haven. You can store your flashlights, radio, non-perishable food items, and other safety items in this room. This way, everything you need to survive is in one area, instead of scattered around your home!
Staying Informed
During an emergency, it’s important to pay attention to what’s going on in the outside world. You could get bad news, or good news! But you won’t know unless you keep a connection to what’s happening out there.
Emergencies like hurricanes and blizzards often come with a warning, but earthquakes don’t. They strike without notice, which makes preparation even more important. If you live in an area where earthquakes are possible (even occasionally), check out our full guide: Earthquake Safety Tips You Need to Know Before the Shaking Starts. It walks you through exactly what to do before, during, and after the shaking begins—so you’re not caught off guard.
Weather Alerts
Your emergency could be due to bad weather, like a tornado, hurricane, or snowstorm. Having access to a lifeline that keeps you informed about the duration and severity of the event is vital. There are a couple of ways to do this…
Emergency Radio: Recently, I purchased a crank-powered radio for my husband. It was one of the best items I have ever bought, and it cost under $40! My dad asked for one shortly after. Last summer, a tropical storm hit our area, our power was out for 5 days. But we had our crank radio to stay informed. It even charged our phones! We also have a generator, but having the radio assured that we had access to updates.
Smartphone Apps: If you still have power (or a generator), apps are a godsend. This allows you to check the weather easily and without using too much data. You can also read the news or receive important updates via a local news app. You should keep your phone on and with battery juice so you can receive any emergency alerts as well!
News Updates
Again, staying in the loop during an emergency is vital! Keep an eye on the news for any changes to the situation or warnings of evacuation orders.
Use Trusted Sources: Ensure the information you’re getting is accurate. Don’t use Reddit, or other online forums to get up-to-date information on the event. Sometimes Reddit can be spot on, but other times it’s just the rumor mill run amuck! Trust in your local news and government announcements.
Social Media Monitoring: Again, this can be the rumor mill run amuck, but social media can be helpful. Local newsgroups often have their hand on the pulse of the community and will have the latest on what’s happening in the community. However, if you read anything nefarious, check the local news and government sources before panicking!
Review and Maintenance for Emergency Preparedness
Keeping your emergency preparedness kit up to date is critical. You don’t want expired food, water, and inaccurate contact information to spoil your hard work… Not only would this be inconvenient, it’s dangerous!
Checking Expiry Dates
Ideally, you should write down the expiry dates of the food and water you purchase when you initially get it. Check this list every 6 months to a year. This is a bit painstaking, but the work is worth it for your tribe’s safety!
Updating Contact Information
Keep your address book up to date! During your semi-annual or annual food and water checks, check your books and make sure they’re current. Verifying your emergency phone numbers and addresses will only take a few minutes and save you a lot of headaches!
Family Training
You can have all of the food, water, and crank radios you need, but if your family has no idea what to do or where to go during a crisis, none of these items will mean bullocks! Confirm your family is ready for anything by practicing for an emergency before it happens!
Practice Drills
Practice, Practice, Practice! Take your family through fire drills, severe storm events, and other scenarios. Lead them the first few times, and then have each family member take over and lead. This way, everyone can lead the group if you’re not around.
Refreshing Emergency Procedures
Do a refresher course on all scenarios and the appropriate responses to each event. Ask your family if they have any questions, concerns, or ideas about your drills or plans. Reassure any young children that this is to keep them safe, and not to scare them. Take feedback from your family and adjust your plans accordingly… Each family member probably has some feedback or ideas that will help strengthen your procedures!
Emergency Preparedness Is Vital
To keep you and your family safe, preparation for these events is critical. Have fun with your drills, check your emergency supply kit, and secure your home. Assure your family that these preparations are not to scare them, but to keep them safe.
In the event of a severe weather event, war, or power outage, you will be ready to go. The time you put into this will be worth it to keep your tribe safe and secure… Keep prepping, stay calm, and be safe!
Be aware, and stay safe!
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