Emergency Preparedness: Plan Ahead, Build a Kit, Stay Ready
The most important step you can take to protect yourself, your family, or your business during a disaster is to prepare before an emergency occurs. A little planning today can make all the difference when normal services are disrupted and help you recover more quickly after a disaster.
Make a Plan
Every household should have a family emergency plan that identifies where family members will meet, how they will communicate if separated, and how they will let loved ones know they are safe. Be sure to consider the unique needs of children, older adults, individuals with disabilities or medical needs, and pets when developing your plan.
Businesses should follow these same preparedness principles. Every organization should have an emergency operations or continuity plan that outlines how it will continue essential functions during a disaster, communicate with employees, protect critical records and equipment, and resume normal operations as quickly as possible.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
In addition to having a plan, every household should have an emergency supply kit with enough essentials to sustain everyone in the home for at least three days, though seven days is recommended whenever possible. The best time to assemble your kit is well before you'll ever need it. Most of the necessary items are already in your home—it's simply a matter of gathering them together and storing them in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container such as a plastic storage tote.
Your emergency kit should include, at a minimum:
Basic Essentials
- Water (one gallon per person, per day)
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Prescription medications and other essential medical supplies
- First aid kit and basic first aid guide
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Cell phone chargers and portable power banks
- Cash in small bills and coins
- Important documents stored in a waterproof container
- Extra house and vehicle keys
- Fire extinguisher (ABC multipurpose)
- Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Seasonal clothing and sturdy shoes
- Water purification tablets or unscented household bleach for emergency water treatment
Sanitation and Personal Care
- Hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes
- Soap, shampoo, and toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene products
- Household bleach
- Rubber gloves
- Heavy-duty trash bags for waste disposal or emergency shelter
- Plastic tarps or rain ponchos
Specialized Supplies
Customize your emergency kit to meet the needs of everyone in your household.
For infants, include formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, baby food, medications, blankets, and other essential baby supplies.
For pets, pack food, water, medications, vaccination records, a leash, carrier, waste bags, and comfort items. Since not all public shelters accept pets, identify pet-friendly sheltering options before an emergency occurs.
Businesses should also maintain emergency supplies appropriate for their workplace, including first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, backup power options, emergency contact information, and resources needed to continue or safely suspend operations during an emergency.
Be Ready Before Disaster Strikes
Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Whether at home or at work, having a plan and maintaining emergency supplies can reduce stress, improve safety, and help your family or organization recover more quickly following a disaster.
For additional information on developing an emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit, and preparing for specific hazards, visit Ready.gov.
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