Are you ready to make a plan that keeps you and your loved ones safer during an emergency?
Why an emergency preparedness plan matters
An emergency preparedness plan gives you a clear, calm course of action when normal routines are disrupted. You’ll reduce confusion, speed decision-making, and protect lives and property by preparing ahead.
What counts as an emergency
Emergencies include natural disasters (storms, earthquakes, floods), human-caused events (fires, chemical spills, active assailants), and health or technological crises (pandemics, cyberattacks, power outages). Recognizing the range of possible threats helps you create a plan that addresses likely scenarios in your area.
How to get started: assess risks and vulnerabilities
Start by identifying the most likely hazards where you live, work, and travel. You’ll want to consider geographic risks, structural vulnerabilities of your home or workplace, and personal factors such as age, mobility, and medical needs.
Conducting a basic hazard assessment
Walk through your home and workplace and note potential hazards like heavy furniture, flammable materials, or blocked exits. Also research local hazards using official sources—government emergency management sites, weather services, and local news—and record those findings in your plan.
Mapping vulnerabilities for family or household members
List any special needs, medications, mobility limitations, or pets that affect evacuation and sheltering. Knowing these details helps you assign responsibilities and gather the right supplies.
Establishing goals for your plan
Set clear, achievable objectives such as protecting life, preserving critical documents, ensuring communication, and restoring normalcy as soon as possible. Your goals will guide decisions about supplies, training, and when to evacuate or shelter in place.
Creating a communication plan
A communication plan ensures that everyone knows how to contact each other and how to share information during a crisis. You’ll want primary and backup methods, designated contacts outside the affected area, and a list of emergency numbers.
Family or household contact list
Create a written list of phone numbers, email addresses, and social media handles for everyone in your household, plus at least two out-of-area contacts. Keep both digital and printed copies so you can access contacts even if power or internet fails.
Emergency contact roles and responsibilities
Assign who will call emergency services, who will notify extended family, and who will handle pets or elderly relatives. Clear roles reduce confusion during stressful moments.
Deciding when to shelter in place or evacuate
Understand the difference between sheltering in place (staying put and sealing indoors) and evacuating. Your decision should depend on the type of emergency, official guidance, and the immediate dangers to life and health.
Indicators to shelter in place
You’ll shelter in place for events like chemical releases, severe outdoor storms, or situations where leaving would expose you to more harm than staying. Follow instructions from local authorities and use your emergency kit to remain safe indoors.
Indicators to evacuate
You should evacuate when officials order it because of wildfire, flood, hurricane surge risk, or structural collapse. Evacuate promptly when instructed and have multiple routes mapped out in advance.
Creating evacuation routes and meeting points
Plan at least two exit routes from your home and neighborhood, and choose local and out-of-area meeting spots. You’ll want a nearby meeting point if you can’t return home immediately and a farther-away contact location if family members are separated.
Neighborhood and workplace planning
Coordinate with neighbors or coworkers to identify shared evacuation challenges and support options. Having a buddy system and shared knowledge of routes increases everyone’s safety.
Building your emergency supply kit
An emergency kit should sustain you for at least 72 hours, but having a two-week supply is more robust. Your kit should include food, water, first aid supplies, tools, sanitation items, clothing, and important documents.
Basic emergency kit checklist
Below is a compact checklist to guide your supplies. Adjust quantities based on household size and special needs.
| Item category | Examples and notes |
|---|---|
| Water | 1 gallon per person per day (3-day minimum), extra for pets |
| Food | Nonperishable, no-cook items; rotate every 6–12 months |
| First aid | Basic kit plus prescription medications and copies of prescriptions |
| Tools & supplies | Flashlight, batteries, multi-tool, manual can opener, duct tape |
| Communication | Battery/hand-crank radio, portable phone charger, list of contacts |
| Sanitation | Moist wipes, garbage bags, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products |
| Clothing/blankets | Seasonal clothing, sturdy shoes, blankets or sleeping bags |
| Documents | Copies of IDs, insurance, medical records in a waterproof bag |
| Special items | Infant formula, pet food, hearing aid batteries, oxygen equipment |
Tailoring the kit to specific needs
If you or a family member requires medication, durable medical equipment, or special dietary items, add extra supplies and a plan for resupply. For pets, include food, leash, carrier, and vaccination records.
Managing important documents and finances
Secure critical documents digitally and physically so you can access them after an emergency. You’ll want copies of birth certificates, IDs, insurance policies, bank information, property deeds, and medical records.
Digital backups and secure storage
Scan documents and store them in encrypted cloud storage or on a USB drive kept in a waterproof, fireproof container. Make sure you and a trusted contact know how to access these backups.
Financial preparedness
Keep a small amount of cash in your emergency kit, since ATMs and card readers may be unavailable. Review insurance policies and understand coverage for different types of losses.
Home safety and hazard mitigation
Taking steps to reduce hazards in your home lowers your risk in many emergencies. Structural and behavioral changes can reduce fire risk, flood damage, and injury.
Simple mitigation steps
Secure heavy furniture to walls, store hazardous materials safely, clear gutters and maintain drainage, and trim trees near power lines. These measures are often inexpensive but can significantly reduce damage.
Preparing for power outages
Have alternate light sources, a backup power supply for critical medical equipment, and methods to keep food cold safely. You’ll also want plans for heating or cooling during extreme temperatures.
First aid and medical preparedness
Basic first aid knowledge and supplies save lives. You should know how to treat common injuries, manage bleeding, and handle CPR.
Training and certifications
Take a first aid and CPR course and refresh skills regularly. Encourage family members or coworkers to get trained so multiple people can respond during an emergency.
Medication and medical device planning
Keep a current list of medications, dosages, and allergies. Build a prescription refill plan with your pharmacy and consider portable power options for medical devices.
Planning for children, seniors, and people with disabilities
Everyone has different needs during an emergency, and your plan should address those differences explicitly. You’ll want backup caregivers, medication continuity, and easy-to-use communication methods.
Child-specific planning
Make comfort items, copies of immunization records, and child-sized safety gear part of your kit. Practice the plan with children so they know where to go and how to respond calmly.
Caring for seniors and people with disabilities
Identify nearby neighbors, family, or community groups who can assist during evacuations or sheltering. Keep mobility aids accessible and ensure emergency responders know about any special needs.
Pet and livestock planning
Pets are family members and require their own plan for shelter, food, and evacuation. Livestock also need contingency plans for feed, shelter, and transport.
Pet supplies and identification
Include pet food, water, leashes, carriers, vaccination records, and photos in your kit. Microchipping and visible ID tags significantly increase the chance of being reunited.
Workplace and school emergency planning
Your plan should extend beyond home to include places where you spend significant time. Familiarize yourself with workplace and school evacuation routes and emergency procedures.
Coordinating with employers or administrations
Ask your employer or your child’s school about their emergency plans and how you’ll be notified. Workplaces should have drills, first aid resources, and clear communication protocols you can incorporate into your personal plan.
Practice, drills, and regular review
A plan is only effective if you and your household practice it regularly. Drills help you identify weak points, improve response time, and make adjustments.
Frequency and types of drills
Practice basic drills like fire evacuation monthly and full emergency simulations (including communication checks and kit use) at least twice a year. Include scenarios that involve sheltering in place and evacuating to different meeting points.
Post-drill evaluation
After a drill, review what went well and what didn’t, then update the plan, supplies, or roles as needed. Keeping a simple log of drills and changes helps you maintain readiness over time.
Maintenance and updating of your plan
Regular updates ensure your plan stays current with changes in household composition, medications, work locations, and seasonal risks. Set a calendar reminder to review your plan at least annually.
What to update and when
Update contact lists when people change numbers, rotate food and water supplies every 6–12 months, and reassess risks after major local incidents or weather changes. Keep an inventory of kit items and expiration dates.
Community resources and collaboration
Local emergency management agencies, community centers, and neighborhood groups offer information and assistance you can use. Building relationships with neighbors and community organizations strengthens resilience for everyone.
Ways to engage
Sign up for local alerts, attend community preparedness workshops, and join or start a neighborhood emergency team. Sharing skills and resources increases your collective ability to handle emergencies.
Legal, financial, and insurance considerations
Know legal steps for estate and health care directives, and confirm that your insurance covers relevant disasters. Familiarizing yourself with these topics prevents surprises that can delay recovery.
Insurance and recovery planning
Document property and valuables with photos and receipts and keep policy numbers accessible in your plan. Understand what is covered, what isn’t, and how to file a claim quickly after damage occurs.
Hazard-specific actions and checklists
Different emergencies require different actions. Having concise, hazard-specific steps helps you act fast without second-guessing.
Fire safety checklist
Install and test smoke detectors monthly, keep fire extinguishers accessible, and practice a quick exit plan. If a fire occurs, get out immediately and call emergency services once you’re safe.
Flood safety checklist
Move valuables and electronics to higher ground, shut off utilities if instructed, and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. Evacuate early when flood alerts are issued.
Earthquake safety checklist
Drop, cover, and hold on during shaking; stay indoors until shaking stops; and move to an open area once safe. Secure heavy items to prevent injury during aftershocks.
Severe weather and hurricane checklist
Reinforce windows, stock up on supplies, and evacuate if instructed by authorities. Keep local forecasts and official alerts on hand for timely updates.
Technology and cyber preparedness
Cyber incidents and infrastructure failures are increasingly likely to affect emergency response. Protect your digital life and have offline alternatives for critical information.
Digital security steps
Back up important files securely, use strong unique passwords with a password manager, and keep devices updated. Print critical documents and keep emergency contacts offline so you aren’t stranded if networks fail.
Long-term recovery planning
Recovery often takes months or years, and a plan should address your path back to normalcy. You’ll want a strategy for housing, finances, emotional recovery, and rebuilding.
Practical recovery steps
Keep receipts for repairs and living expenses to support insurance and aid claims. Look for local and federal assistance programs, and keep records of all interactions with agencies.
Emotional and mental health support
Disasters cause stress and trauma; plan for mental health resources and peer support. Connect with counselors, support groups, or trusted community members to assist with the emotional recovery process.
Sample family emergency plan template
Use a simple template to record essential information and roles. Fill it out and keep copies where everyone can find them.
| Section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Household contacts | Names, phone numbers, out-of-area contact, social media handles |
| Meeting points | Local meeting spot, out-of-area meeting spot, workplace/school contacts |
| Evacuation routes | Primary and alternate routes for home and neighborhood |
| Roles | Who turns off utilities, who collects pets, who grabs the kit |
| Medical info | Allergies, medications, special equipment, doctor contacts |
| Documents | List of included documents and storage locations |
| Kit inventory | List of items and expiration/rotation dates |
| Drills and review | Dates of drills and updates made |
Quick reference checklists
Keeping small, printable checklists by your door, in your glove compartment, or on your phone makes it easy to act when time is short. Use short, prioritized steps for each scenario.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Answering common questions helps you understand priorities and reduces hesitation during an emergency. FAQs should be tailored to your household and local risks.
What is the single most important thing I can do?
The most important action is to know your risks and have a practiced plan. Even basic preparations dramatically improve your safety and response.
How much water should I store?
Store at least one gallon per person per day for three days, but aim for a two-week supply if possible. Don’t forget pets and extra water for hygiene.
How often should I practice my plan?
Practice key actions monthly and run full drills at least twice a year. Update the plan immediately after major life changes.
Final tips for staying ready
Keep preparations simple and practical so you’ll actually use them when needed. Small, regular investments in training, supplies, and relationships create resilience that compounds over time.
Build gradually
You don’t have to complete everything at once—start with a basic kit, a communication plan, and a simple evacuation route. Expand and refine your plan as you learn and practice.
Keep morale and cooperation high
Engage family and neighbors positively—make preparedness a shared activity rather than a source of stress. Preparedness is a skill that grows with participation and practice.
Closing encouragement
By making a clear, practiced emergency preparedness plan you’ll increase your confidence and ability to handle unexpected events. Keep your plan current, practice it regularly, and reach out to community resources when needed—these steps will help you protect what matters most.