Start here: preparedness in seven small steps

The seven steps

1
Assess your risks
List the disruptions most likely where you live: outages, storms, heat waves, water shutoffs. Your local emergency management site publishes a hazard map — five minutes there focuses everything after.
Start with power outage prep
2
Make a household plan
Agree on an out-of-area contact, two meeting spots (one near home, one outside the neighborhood), and who grabs what. Write it on paper — phones die.
Print the emergency contact sheet
3
Gather water
One gallon per person per day, starting with a 72-hour supply. Under-bed bins and closet floors hold more than you think.
Do the water math
4
Gather food
Three days of no-cook food you already like eating, plus a manual can opener taped to the bin.
Get the 3-day meal plan
5
Prepare lighting and power
A flashlight per person, one lantern, spare batteries, and a charged power bank. No candles — your lease and your safety both say so.
Prep for a 24-hour outage
6
Create an evacuation bag
One backpack per person, staged by the door: documents, water bottle, snacks, light, first aid, warm layer. Sixty seconds, out the door.
Build the go-bag
7
Review the plan
Twice a year — daylight-saving weekends are an easy trigger — check dates, recharge the power bank, and re-run the 60-second drill.
Use the monthly review printable