PleaseBeReady.com
Emergency Preparedness Checklists
Water, food, power, medical, documents, and a go-bag — what to store, how much, and where to learn more. Every section links to an official guide (Ready.gov, FEMA, Red Cross, CDC).
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Water
- ✓1 gallon per person per day (drinking + sanitation); don't forget pets.
- ✓Store a 3-day minimum; aim for 2 weeks. Rotate store-bought every 6–12 months.
- ✓Backup purification: filter, unscented bleach (8 drops/gallon), or a rolling boil for 1 minute.
🥫
Food
- ✓2-week supply of non-perishable, no-cook food — roughly 2,000 calories/person/day.
- ✓Canned meat/beans/veg, peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, shelf-stable milk.
- ✓Keep a manual can opener. Rotate by expiration date.
🩹
First Aid & Meds
- ✓Stocked first-aid kit + a printed list of everyone's medications and doses.
- ✓7–30 day backup of prescriptions where possible.
- ✓OTC: pain reliever, antihistamine, anti-diarrheal, electrolytes.
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Power & Light
- ✓LED flashlights + headlamps, plenty of spare batteries, 1–2 charged power banks.
- ✓NOAA hand-crank / solar radio.
- ✓Generators run outdoors only, 20+ ft from windows and doors (carbon monoxide kills).
🔥
Heat & Shelter
- ✓Wool or mylar blankets, sleeping bags rated to your local lows, layered clothing, hand warmers.
- ✓Never run a grill, camp stove, or generator indoors.
- ✓Working carbon-monoxide detector with fresh batteries.
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Communication & Plan
- ✓NOAA weather radio + a written contact list (paper, not just your phone).
- ✓Pick one out-of-town contact everyone checks in with.
- ✓Two meeting spots: near home, and outside the neighborhood. Text over call in outages.
📄
Documents & Cash
- ✓Copies of IDs, insurance, deeds/leases, medical + Rx, and contacts.
- ✓Keep them in a waterproof bag and in encrypted cloud storage.
- ✓Cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers may be down.
🎒
72-Hour Go-Bag
- ✓One per person, by the door. 3 days of water + no-cook food.
- ✓First aid, meds, flashlight, radio, charger, cash, document copies.
- ✓Sanitation, change of clothes, sturdy shoes, whistle, emergency blanket.
🚗
Car Kit
- ✓Jumper cables, blanket, water, snacks, flashlight, first-aid kit.
- ✓Phone charger, small tool kit, ice scraper.
- ✓Flares or reflective triangles; keep the tank at least half full.
🏠
Home Safety
- ✓Smoke + CO detectors on every level; test monthly.
- ✓Fire extinguisher you know how to use (remember PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
- ✓Know how to shut off water, gas, and electricity. Keep two exits clear.
🤝
Skills & Community
- ✓Learn first aid and CPR.
- ✓Consider joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
- ✓Know which neighbors have medical, trade, or equipment resources. Practice your plan twice a year.
Supply Levels
Level 1
72 Hours
The baseline everyone should hit: ride out a storm, outage, or evacuation.
Level 2
2 Weeks
FEMA's current guidance for many disasters. Water, food, meds, and power for two weeks.
Level 3
1 Month+
Extended resilience for longer disruptions — build here once Levels 1–2 are solid.
Official Resources
General preparedness information, not professional or medical advice. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.