How to Prepare for an Emergency

Editor's note: This post was originally published September 4, 2017, and has been updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness and freshness on September 15, 2025.

​​​Disaster can strike at any time, often when you least expect it. Natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or tornadoes can affect you at a moment’s notice. And manmade disasters like oil spills, trainwrecks or cyberattacks rarely come with a warning. You want to be ready for anything – so what is your plan of action?

Emergency preparation and emergency preparedness are two critical concepts that everyone should understand. Emergency preparation refers to the specific actions and supplies you gather before a disaster strikes. Emergency preparedness, on the other hand, is your overall state of readiness to handle any type of crisis effectively.

Planning ahead for both natural and manmade disasters isn't just recommended—it's essential. The core goal of disaster preparedness is protecting life, health, property, and communication in times of crisis. How to prepare for a disaster starts with understanding that you have a personal responsibility to safeguard yourself and your loved ones.

​​​Create your emergency preparedness checklist​​

​​​​The first step in getting prepared is to create an emergency preparedness checklist. This list keeps you on track and makes sure nothing slips through the cracks. In the middle of a disaster, the last thing you want is to be guessing what you forgot to pack. A checklist lets you double-check your supplies and gives you the confidence that you’re ready.​​​

​​​​​​​Food and Water​​​

• ​​​​Water: enough to last at least 3 days (preferably longer).
• Non-perishable food: at least a 3-day supply.
• ​​​​Manual can opener.
• Baby food or formula, if needed.
• ​​​​Pet food and water.​​​

​​​​Tools and Equipment​​​

• ​​​​Flashlights with extra batteries.
  
• ​​​​Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
  
• ​​​​Portable phone charger or solar charger.
  
• ​​​​Multi-tool or knife.
  
• ​​​​Matches or lighters ​​in a waterproof​​ container.
  
• ​​​​Duct tape and basic toolkit.
  
• ​​​​Whistle.​​​

​​​​Clothing and Shelter​​​

• ​​​​Sleeping bag or blanket for each person.
  
• ​​​​Extra clothing appropriate for the season.
  
• ​​​​Sturdy shoes and rain gear.
  
• ​​​​Plastic sheeting and tarp.
  
• ​​​​Face masks.​​​

​​​​First Aid and Health​​​

• ​​​​First aid kit.
  
• ​​​​Prescription medications (at least a 7-day supply).
  
• ​​​​Basic over-the-counter medications.
  
• ​​​​Hygiene items: soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine supplies, wipes.​​​

​​​​Documents and Money​​​

• ​​​​Copies of important documents ​​in a waterproof​​ container.
  
• ​​​​Emergency contact list (printed).
  
• ​​​​Cash (small bills).
  
• ​​​​Spare house and car keys.​​​

​​​​Vehicle and Travel​​​

• ​​​​Keep the gas​​ tank at least half full.
  
• ​​​​Jumper cables.
  
• ​​​​Car phone charger.
• ​​​​Paper road maps.
  
• ​​​​Emergency kit for car (water, snacks, blanket, flashlight, first aid).​​​

​​​​Household Safety​​​

• ​​​​Fire extinguisher.
  
• ​​​​Extra batteries.
• ​​​​Plastic bags for waste.
• ​​​​Work gloves.
  

​​This checklist becomes your blueprint for gathering supplies and forms the framework for your entire emergency survival guide.

What are the 10 steps of disaster preparedness?​​​​​​

​​​​With supplies in place, the next step is focusing on overall readiness. Disaster preparedness isn’t only about what you ​​store, it's​​ about the actions and planning that help you respond effectively. These ten steps outline the core practices every household should follow to stay prepared.​​​

​​​​1. Identify risks​​​

​​​​Understand what disasters are most likely where you live (storms, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.).​​​

​​​​2. Create a family emergency plan​​​

​​​​Decide how you’ll communicate, where you’ll meet if separated, and who your emergency contacts are (local and out-of-town).​​​

​​​​3. Assemble emergency supplies​​​

​​​​Prepare a disaster supply kit with food, water, first aid, tools, and other essentials at least a 3-day minimum, 2 weeks if possible.​​​

​​​​4. Secure important documents​​​

​​​​Keep copies of IDs, insurance, medical information, and financial records in a waterproof and fireproof container.​​

"It is important to keep your documents such as your passport, birth certificate, and Social Security card in one central, easily accessible place at home.  In times of emergency, being able to locate these documents quickly and easily can be vitally important."

advises Brian Caron, LegalShield provider lawyer at Wagner, Falconer & Judd LTD. 

"Not only should copies be kept at an alternate location, but the documents kept in your home should be easy to locate."​

​​​​5. Prepare your home​​​

​​​​Strengthen your house against local hazards (e.g., shutters for hurricanes, securing heavy furniture in earthquake zones). Make sure smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers are in place.​​​

​​​​6. Learn evacuation routes​​​

​​​​Know your local evacuation routes, shelters, and how to get there quickly if you must leave. Practice them.​​​

​​​​7. Plan for pets and special needs​​​

​​​​Make arrangements for infants, elderly family members, people with disabilities, and pets. They’ll need their own supplies and care plans.​​​

​​​​8. Stay informed​​​

​​​​Have multiple ways to get emergency alerts (radio, apps, weather alert systems). Know how your community shares updates.​​​

​​​​9. Practice and train​​​

​​​​Run through your plan with your household. Practice fire drills, evacuation, and communication routines so they become automatic.​​​

​​​​10. Review and update regularly​​​

​​​​At least once a year, refresh your emergency supplies, update your plan with new contacts or health needs, and check your home safety equipment.​​​

​​Gather and maintain emergency supplies​

​​​​​​Emergency preparation supplies only help if you can find them quickly and know they’re ready to use. It’s not enough to just buy the items on your checklist and shove them in a closet. The way you organize, store, and maintain your supplies determines how useful they’ll be when a real emergency happens.​​​

​​​​When storing your emergency supplies, group them into clear categories, label each container, and keep similar items together. This makes it easier to grab what you need at a moment’s notice and helps you take inventory when it’s time to refresh or replace items.​​​

​​​​Essentials​​​

​​​​Bundle food, water, and hygiene products together in one area. Use sealed bins to protect them from pests and moisture. Mark each container with dates so you know when it’s time to rotate supplies or replace expired items.​​​

​​​​Medical​​​

​​​​Keep your first-aid kit, prescription medications, and PPE in one clearly marked container. Medications should be stored in a cool, dry place, and any items with expiration dates should be checked regularly. Consider keeping a smaller version of this kit in your car or go-bag as well.​​​

​​​​Tools​​​

​​​​Gather flashlights, a radio, batteries, and a multi-tool in one container. Store batteries separately in a dry bag to prevent corrosion, and check them every few months. Having everything in one place prevents digging around when the power goes out.​​​

​​​​Documents​​​

​​​​Important papers like insurance policies, ID copies, and medical history should be stored in a waterproof, fire-resistant container. Keep a digital backup on an encrypted flash drive or cloud account. Label it clearly so it doesn’t get mixed in with other household files.​​​

​​​​Storage and maintenance tips​​​

• ​​​​Store supplies in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight.
  
• ​​​​Use sealed containers or bins with labels for easy identification.
  
• ​​​​Keep heavy items on the bottom and lighter ones on top for safe access.
  
• ​​​​Review your supplies at least once a year to replace expired food, water, or medication.
  
• ​​​​Update your kit whenever your household changes (new baby, new pet, new medical needs).
  ​​​

​​​​Properly organizing and maintaining your emergency preparation supplies means that when the time comes, you won’t just have what you need you’ll know exactly where it is and that it’s ready to go.​​​ ​​​

​​​​Build a bug-out bag​​​

​​​​In addition to storing emergency preparation supplies at home, it’s smart to have a bag packed and ready in case you need to leave quickly. Often called a “bug-out bag” or “go-bag,” this should be lightweight, portable, and stocked with the bare essentials to get you through at least 72 hours away from home. Keep it in a spot you can grab on your way out the door, and make sure every family member has one.​​​

​​​​What are 10 items in a bug-out bag?​​​

1. ​​​​Water (at least one gallon per person per day, packed in bottles or pouches)
2. ​​​​Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
3. ​​​​Flashlight with extra batteries
   
4. ​​​​First-aid kit
   
5. ​​​​Non-perishable food (3-day supply, easy to carry and ready to eat)
   
6. ​​​​Manual can opener (if your food requires it)
   
7. ​​​​Emergency blankets or sleeping bag
8. ​​​​Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, wipes, sanitizer, etc.)
9. ​​​​Copies of important documents (stored in a waterproof and fireproof pouch)
   
10. ​​​​Cell phone with portable chargers or a solar charger​​

​​​​Build a personalized family emergency plan​​​

​​​​A solid plan makes the difference between confusion and confidence in a crisis. Talk through the details with everyone in your household so each person understands their role and what to do when the unexpected happens.​​​

​​​​Step 1: Talk it through​​​

​​​​Sit down with your family and go over the types of emergencies most likely to affect where you live, work, and spend time. Make sure everyone knows the risks in your area, from house fires and floods to hazards unique to your region like tornadoes, earthquakes, or wildfires.​​​

​​​​Step 2: Assign responsibilities​​​

​​​​Decide who will do what when an emergency happens. Maybe one person grabs the bug-out bags, another checks on pets, and another makes the first phone call. Clear roles prevent panic and help everyone work together as a team.​​​

​​​​Step 3: Practice together​​​

​​​​Run drills the same way you would for a fire escape plan. Practice meeting at your chosen locations, sending check-in messages, or even loading the car. The more you practice, the more automatic it becomes.​​​

​​​​Plan for common scenarios​​​

• ​​​​Shelter in place vs. evacuation
  ​​Know what you will do if you need to stay inside for days, like during a winter storm, versus if you need to leave immediately, such as for a hurricane or chemical spill.
  ‍
• ​​​​​​Meeting locations
  ​​Choose two: one spot right outside your home for sudden events like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
  ​​​
• ​​​​Emergency contacts
  ​​Pick someone outside your area to serve as the main check-in point. Local phone lines are often overwhelmed, but long-distance calls and texts may still go through. Everyone should have this contact’s information written down and saved in their phone.
  ​​​
• ​​​​Family members away from home
  ​​If someone is away at school, deployed, or traveling, decide how you will stay in touch. Plan what changes when they are home versus when they are gone.​​​

​​​​Plan for evacuation​​​

​​​​Think ahead about where you would go and how you would get there if you had to leave quickly. Options might include a hotel, the home of relatives, or a designated shelter. Practice your evacuation routes twice a year and mark alternate routes in case roads are blocked.​​​

​​​​Do not forget pets. Keep a list of pet-friendly hotels, motels, or shelters along your routes. If it is unsafe for you to stay behind, it is unsafe for them too.​​​

​​​​Account for everyone in your household​​​

​​​​Every family is different, and your plan should reflect that. Consider the needs of:​​​

• ​​​​Older adults who may need extra time or mobility support
• ​​​​People with disabilities who rely on medical equipment or services
• ​​​​Children who may need comfort items and clear, simple instructions
• ​​​​Pets who need food, carriers, and safe shelter   ​​

Use trusted resources to stay informed

Reliable information sources are crucial for effective emergency preparation. Official agencies provide the most accurate and timely emergency information.

Recommended information sources:

• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Ready.gov provides comprehensive disaster preparation resources.
• American Red Cross: Offers emergency preparedness guides and local shelter information.
• National Weather Service: Provides weather alerts and warnings.
• Local emergency management offices: Share region-specific risks and evacuation procedures.

Download emergency apps on your smartphone and sign up for local weather alerts. Keep printed copies of your emergency plan in case digital systems fail.

Start your emergency preparedness today

Don't wait for disaster warnings to begin your emergency preparation. The time to prepare is now, when you can think clearly and gather supplies without pressure.

Remember, preparing for a disaster isn't just about having supplies—it's about creating a comprehensive plan that protects your family's safety and well-being.

Legal protection after disaster strikes

When natural or manmade disasters disrupt your life, legal issues often follow. LegalShield Members get access to attorneys who can help with the complex legal problems that arise during recovery.

LegalShield's consumer finance legal services provide protection for issues including:

• Insurance disputes with health, auto, home, or life insurance companies
• Real estate problems involving mortgages, security deposits, or property damage
• Consumer disputes with utility companies, contractors, or warranty claims
• Debt issues related to credit cards, medical billing, or collection agency harassment
• Tax problems including IRS audits

After a disaster, you may face confusing insurance policies, contractor disputes, or government paperwork that seems designed to be overwhelming. LegalShield attorneys can review documents, provide legal advice, and even write letters or make calls to protect your rights as a consumer.

Don't let big organizations take advantage of you during your most vulnerable time. With LegalShield, you can operate from a position of power with legal knowledge and professional support.

Ready to protect your family's future?

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Written by Elyse Dillard, Content Specialist at LegalShield. Elyse creates educational resources about legal and identity theft protection services. She works to make complex legal concepts more accessible to readers and has contributed to numerous articles on the LegalShield blog.

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