SMART FINDS RESOURCES

Emergencies can happen with little warning, but you don’t have to prepare for everything at once. A basic emergency preparedness kit can help your household handle power outages, severe weather, water interruptions, and other unexpected situations. Use this beginner-friendly checklist to start gathering the essential supplies your home may need.

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1. Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan

Decide how everyone in your household will contact one another if you become separated during an emergency. Write down important phone numbers, choose a meeting place near your home and another outside your neighborhood, and consider selecting an out-of-area contact everyone can reach. Keep a printed copy of the plan somewhere easy to access in case phones or internet service are unavailable.

2. Protect Copies of Important Documents

Keep copies of important documents such as identification, insurance information, household records, emergency contacts, and other essential paperwork in a secure and accessible place. Consider keeping paper copies in a waterproof container and password-protected digital copies as a backup. Knowing where these documents are can save valuable time if you need to leave home quickly.

3. Prepare Medications and Personal Care Supplies

Think about the medications and personal-care items your household relies on every day. Keep an up-to-date medication list, copies of prescription information, basic hygiene products, eyeglasses or contact-lens supplies, and other essential personal items together so they are easier to locate during an emergency. Check these supplies regularly and replace expired items when needed.

4. Keep Emergency Cash Available

Keep a small amount of emergency cash in a secure place at home, preferably in a mix of smaller bills. During a widespread outage or other emergency, ATMs and card-payment systems may temporarily be unavailable. Emergency cash can be useful for essential purchases when electronic payments aren’t working.

5. Plan for Your Pets Communication Plan

Include your pets when making your household emergency plan. Keep copies of vaccination records, identification information, leashes or carriers, food bowls, waste supplies, and any medications they may need. Decide ahead of time where you could safely take your pets if you ever need to leave home during an emergency.

6. Stock Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies

Keep basic hygiene and sanitation supplies together in case normal utilities or services are disrupted. Consider items such as toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, trash bags, feminine-care products, diapers if needed, and other household essentials. Having these supplies ready can make an extended emergency much easier to manage.

7. Keep Basic Tools and Safety Equipment

Keep a few basic tools and safety items where you can find them quickly during an emergency. Useful items may include work gloves, a multipurpose tool, wrench or pliers, duct tape, a whistle, and a fire extinguisher. Make sure household members know where these items are stored and how to use them safely.

8. Prepare Clothing and Sturdy Shoes

Keep a change of comfortable clothing and sturdy, closed-toe shoes available for each household member. Consider the weather in your area and include seasonal items such as jackets, rain gear, hats, or extra socks. Having appropriate clothing ready can be especially helpful if you need to leave home quickly or spend time outdoors during an emergency.

9. Build a Car Emergency Kit

Keep a separate emergency kit in your vehicle for situations that happen away from home. Consider including a phone charger, reflective warning gear, basic tools, jumper cables, a blanket, bottled water, shelf-stable snacks, and seasonal supplies. Check the kit periodically and replace anything that has expired or been used.

10. Create a Schedule to Check Your Emergency Supplies

Emergency preparation isn’t something you have to do only once. Set a reminder every few months to review your supplies, update emergency contacts, check expiration dates, replace used items, and make sure important documents are current. Regular checkups can help keep your household prepared as your needs change.

Start Small and Build Your Emergency Plan Over Time

You don’t need to prepare for every possible emergency in one day. Start with the areas your household needs most, then gradually improve your plan and supplies over time. Review your emergency plan regularly, involve everyone in your household, and make adjustments as your family’s needs change.

Once you have a basic plan in place, make sure you’re also prepared for situations that can affect essential services such as electricity and water.

Related Guides:

• Power outage preparation: Read What to Do During a Power Outage: 10 Steps to Keep Your Family Prepared

• Emergency water planning: Read How Much Emergency Water Should You Store at Home?

Helpful Resource: If emergency water preparedness is one of the areas you want to strengthen, you can explore this additional emergency water solution.