Emergency Preparedness Checklist — Complete Guide to Family Readiness
An effective emergency preparedness plan covers three tiers: immediate (24-hour), short-term (72-hour), and extended (30-day) scenarios. Most emergencies are resolved within 72 hours, but extended disruptions like grid failures or supply chain breakdowns require deeper preparation. The key is layered readiness — each tier builds on the previous one.
This checklist works for families and individuals alike. Adapt it for your specific needs — whether you have infants, elderly family members, pets, or medical requirements. For evacuation-specific preparation, see our bug out bag guide.
24-Hour Emergency Kit
This is your grab-and-go minimum. Keep this assembled and accessible at all times. In many disasters — earthquakes, fires, severe storms — you have minutes to evacuate, not hours.
Water & Food
- ☐ 1 gallon of water per person
- ☐ Energy bars, dried fruit, nuts
- ☐ Water purification tablets (backup)
Safety & Shelter
- ☐ Emergency blanket / space blanket
- ☐ Flashlight + extra batteries
- ☐ First aid kit (basic)
- ☐ Whistle (for signaling)
Documents & Communication
- ☐ Copies of IDs, insurance, medical records
- ☐ Emergency contact list (paper copy)
- ☐ Cash in small bills
- ☐ Phone charger / power bank
Personal Needs
- ☐ Prescription medications (3-day supply)
- ☐ Infant supplies (formula, diapers) if applicable
- ☐ Pet supplies if applicable
- ☐ Comfort item for children
72-Hour Emergency Supply
The standard recommendation from Ready.gov and the American Red Cross. Most rescue and relief operations establish within 72 hours. This is your shelter-in-place or sustained evacuation supply.
Water & Food
- ☐ 3 gallons of water per person
- ☐ Canned food + manual can opener
- ☐ Freeze-dried meals
- ☐ Portable water filter
Shelter & Warmth
- ☐ Sleeping bag or warm blankets
- ☐ Tarp or tent
- ☐ Extra clothing and rain gear
- ☐ Fire-starting kit
Tools & Safety
- ☐ Multi-tool or knife
- ☐ Duct tape + paracord
- ☐ Battery or hand-crank radio
- ☐ Comprehensive first aid kit
Hygiene & Sanitation
- ☐ Toilet paper + trash bags
- ☐ Hand sanitizer + wet wipes
- ☐ Soap
- ☐ Feminine hygiene products
30-Day Extended Preparedness
For extended disruptions — grid-down scenarios, supply chain breakdowns, or prolonged natural disasters. This tier bridges short-term survival to self-reliance skills that produce rather than consume.
Food & Water Security
- ☐ 30-day food supply (rice, beans, canned goods)
- ☐ Water storage (30 gallons per person) or reliable filtration
- ☐ Seed packets for emergency garden
- ☐ Fishing line + hooks
Energy & Communication
- ☐ Solar charger or generator
- ☐ Ham radio or CB radio
- ☐ Fuel storage (safely)
- ☐ Battery stockpile
Security & Protection
- ☐ Home security measures
- ☐ Perimeter awareness tools
- ☐ Self-defense training
- ☐ Neighborhood watch coordination
Community & Knowledge
- ☐ Barter items (batteries, lighters, first aid supplies)
- ☐ Physical reference books (first aid, foraging)
- ☐ Maps of your area (printed)
- ☐ Skills library (how-to guides without internet)
Family Communication Plan
Half of emergency preparedness is knowing what to do — the other half is making sure everyone else knows too. Establish these before an emergency, not during one:
- 1.Meeting points — one near home, one outside the neighborhood
- 2.Out-of-area contact — a relative everyone can check in with (long-distance calls often work when local lines are jammed)
- 3.Evacuation routes — at least two exit routes from your home and neighborhood
- 4.School/work plans — know each location's emergency procedures
- 5.Practice drills — run through the plan at least twice per year
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