Emergency Preparedness for People Living Alone

36 million Americans live alone. Most emergency planning assumes you have a household. If it's just you, the priorities shift.

The biggest risk isn't the emergency itself — it's that no one notices you need help.

Solo-Specific Priorities

This is your most important preparation. If you're injured or incapacitated, how long before someone realizes?

Set up at least one:

• Daily check-in buddy — a friend/family member you text every morning. If they don't hear from you, they check.
• Trusted neighbor with a key — someone who can physically get to you
• Medical alert device — if you have health conditions, this is worth the cost
• Smart home alerts — motion sensors that flag inactivity (simple, cheap)

In a family, someone can go for help. Alone, you need to plan for self-extraction:

• Keep your phone charged and within reach always — this is non-negotiable
• Multiple exits mapped — know every way out of your place
• Basic first aid knowledge — you're your own first responder
• Shoes and flashlight by the bed — broken glass is a real post-earthquake risk

In a family, you discuss decisions. Alone, you need to make them quickly and clearly:

• Pre-decide your evacuation triggers — don't wait for “someone else to decide”
• Know your shelter-in-place plan — which room, what supplies, how long
• Have a destination — where do you go if you leave? Don't decide during stress.

Living alone isn't all vulnerability. You have genuine preparedness advantages:

Your go-bag is simpler than a family's. Keep it by the door or in your car:

Must-Have:

Worth Adding:

Total weight: under 10 lbs. Total cost: under $80. Fits in any backpack.

Living alone means planning ahead matters more — not less.
You're the whole team. Make sure you're ready.