Home Emergency Preparedness: A Simple Starter Checklist

Preparing your home starts with a few practical steps. Check what you already have, identify what your household needs, and build your supplies gradually. Use this checklist as a starting point, then adapt it to local risks and official emergency guidance.

1. Make a household plan

Discuss how you will receive local alerts, contact one another, and leave home if evacuation is ordered. Choose a meeting place and an out-of-area contact. Include children, pets, accessibility needs, and anyone who may need extra help.

2. Plan your water and food supplies

CDC recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days, and a two-week supply if possible. Allow for additional needs, including pets.

Keep shelf-stable foods your household can eat and a manual can opener where needed. Use suitable food-grade containers for water. Follow bottled-water date guidance; replace water you fill and store yourself every six months. Keep supplies cool and out of direct sunlight. CDC emergency water guidance

3. Prepare for interruptions to power

Keep flashlights or battery-powered lanterns accessible, with compatible spare batteries. Have charging cables, a charged power bank, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available. Test equipment before you need it.

If you use a fuel-burning generator, operate it outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. Never run it inside your home or garage. CDC generator safety

4. Add personal essentials

Include first-aid supplies, necessary medicines, hygiene items, weather-appropriate clothing, and household-specific supplies.

Plan for refrigeration-dependent medicines or powered medical equipment with your care team. Gather essential documents and emergency contact details for quick access.

5. Check your home and equipment

Look for visible leaks near sinks, washing machines, and water heaters. Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to manufacturer instructions.

Where useful, consider leak sensors or refrigerator temperature alarms. Check each device’s power source, operating limits, and whether remote alerts depend on home internet.

6. Organize and review

Choose an accessible storage location and tell everyone where supplies are kept. Pack portable essentials for evacuation.

Keep a written list of missing items, follow product expiry dates, and review your supplies when your household’s needs change.

Your starter checklist

• Local alerts and a household communication plan

• Stored drinking water and shelf-stable food

• Flashlights or lanterns and compatible batteries

• Radio, power bank, and charging cables

• First-aid supplies and necessary medicines

• Hygiene items, waste bags, and weather protection

• Important documents and emergency contacts

• Supplies for children, pets, and individual needs

• An accessible storage place and portable evacuation bag

Start with what you own. Fill the most important gaps first, and make preparation part of your household routine.

This is a starter checklist, not a complete plan for every emergency. Follow local authorities’ instructions for your location and situation.

Further reading: FEMA emergency supply checklist.

Sources reviewed: 2026-10-20.