01 · KNOW YOUR HOUSEHOLD
Make the plan fit the people who’ll use it.
Think about the people, pets, medicines, mobility needs, and essential devices in your home. Decide how you’ll receive local alerts, where you’d meet if separated, and who you’d contact. Write down the important details somewhere everyone can find.
Ready.gov’s planning guide ↗ offers questions to help households make a plan.
02 · COVER THE BASICS
Start with light, water, food, and communication.
Look around before shopping. Find a working flashlight, check what non-perishable food you already keep, and make sure you have a way to charge a phone. Ready.gov’s basic kit list ↗ is a useful reference; adapt it to your needs and local guidance.
For water, Ready.gov advises storing at least one gallon per person per day for several days. Needs vary, so account for your household, climate, health, and pets. See our water basics guide.
03 · BUILD AT YOUR PACE
Make the next grocery trip do a little more.
There’s no need to buy a costly kit all at once. Ready.gov’s low- and no-cost preparedness ideas ↗ include building supplies gradually from items you already use. Choose food your household will eat, store it as directed, and use older items in everyday meals before they expire.
04 · PICK ONE TUESDAY TASK
Ten useful minutes count.
Choose one small action this week: put the flashlight somewhere everyone can find it, add a phone number to your paper contacts, or check the dates on a few pantry items. Next Tuesday, pick another.