Disaster Preparedness: Practical Ways to Prepare Now
Emergency preparedness starts with a few practical steps: build a basic emergency kit, create a household plan, organize important documents, store food and water, and learn simple safety skills before a disruption happens.
Use this guide to prepare calmly, avoid overbuying, and build readiness step by step.
Where to Begin
Start with the supplies and planning steps that solve the most common emergency problems first.
Build an Emergency Kit
Cover water, food, first aid, lighting, communication, sanitation, backup charging, cash, documents, and household-specific needs.
Shop emergency kitsCreate a Go-Bag
Pack lightweight essentials for evacuation, travel delays, temporary displacement, or fast movement.
Make an Emergency Binder
Organize contacts, identification copies, insurance details, medical information, pet records, and key household notes.
Core Preparedness Supplies
Build your emergency setup around practical needs, not fear-based buying.
Food & Water
Store drinking water, shelf-stable food, water treatment options, and basic cooking supplies.
Shop food and waterFirst Aid
Keep wound care, gloves, medications, and household medical needs organized and easy to reach.
Shop first aid kitsPower Outage Gear
Prepare with safe lighting, radios, batteries, power banks, charging cables, and communication backups.
Shop power outage suppliesPractice and Maintain Your Plan
Preparedness works best when your supplies are updated and your household knows what to do.
Review Twice a Year
- Rotate food and water
- Test flashlights and radios
- Check batteries and chargers
- Update documents and contacts
Know Your First Steps
Decide when to shelter in place, when to evacuate, how to reconnect, and where emergency supplies are stored.
Read during-disaster guidanceUse Reliable Resources
Pair your supplies with trusted planning tools, checklists, and practical household readiness guidance.
View preparedness resources