The family emergency preparedness checklist

Preparedness starts with communication and household needs, not a shopping cart. Use official guidance for the hazards in your area, make a simple family plan, and build supplies gradually around the people and animals in your home.

Build the communication plan

• Choose a nearby meeting place and one outside the immediate area.
• Choose an out-of-area contact who can help relay information.
• Write down household contacts, schools, caregivers, doctors, veterinarians, and utilities.
• Confirm how local emergency alerts are delivered and enable them on appropriate devices.
• Practice how to leave the home safely and where to go.

Plan for household-specific needs

Account for medication, mobility and communication needs, power-dependent equipment, infants, pets, service animals, work or school separation, and transportation. Store important information securely and make sure the right people know how to access it.

Build and maintain essential supplies

Follow current local emergency-management guidance for water, food, lighting, communication, first aid, sanitation, weather, and evacuation supplies. Check dates and batteries twice a year. Keep supplies accessible and suited to the actual climate and household.

Authoritative starting points include Ready.gov family planning guidance and your local emergency-management agency.