Emergency Preparedness: Make a Kit, Make a Plan, Stay Informed

After a week last August that included both an earthquake and a hurricane, many readers asked us to share advice on emergency preparedness. We’re not experts, but we gathered guidance from two professionals who are: Amanda F., who has a Master’s degree in emergency management and served as an emergency coordinator for a hospital in Los Angeles, and Michelle O., the Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management for our county. Their recommendations can be distilled into three clear priorities: make a kit, make a plan, and stay informed. Below is a practical, easy-to-follow guide based on their advice.

1. Make a Kit

An emergency kit doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate. Even a compact kit that will sustain your household for 48–72 hours is far better than nothing. Focus on essentials that meet basic needs for food, water, warmth, light, and communication. Consider preparing three types of kits:

1. Stay-At-Home Kit: Plan for at least three days without power. Include non-perishable food, water (about 1 gallon per person per day), a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, a manual can opener, any required medical supplies and prescriptions (plus spare glasses or contact lenses), cash (ATMs may be down), and copies of important personal and financial documents kept in a waterproof container.
2. Kid and Pet Kit: If you have children or pets, include items they need: formula, baby food, diapers, pet food, medications, comfort items, and a few small toys to reduce stress.
3. Go Kit: A grab-and-go backpack for each household member in case you must evacuate. Pack water, high-energy snacks, extra clothing, sturdy shoes, basic toiletries, a small first-aid kit, and any necessary medications.

We evaluated our own kit a while back and learned that routine checks and updates are essential. If you move homes, restock or reassess your supplies to match your new needs.

Document Protection

Protecting important documents is as crucial as food and water. Photocopy or scan key documents and keep one set in a waterproof bag in your kit and another copy in a secure off-site location, such as a safe deposit box. Important documents to preserve include:

• Driver’s license and passport
• Social Security card
• Birth certificates
• Health insurance card
• Insurance policies and property deeds
• Mortgage and loan papers
• Car title and registration
• Marriage license and will
• Last year’s tax return and account numbers
• An inventory or photos of your home for insurance claims

Practical Tips to Get Started

• Not everything needs to be purchased. Use canned goods and supplies you already have at home.
• Value stores and dollar stores are good sources for basic supplies like flashlights, batteries, and first-aid items.
• Spread the cost over time. Buy a couple of items each month until your kit is complete.
• Involve your children in assembling the kit; it teaches them preparedness and responsibility.
• Store kits where they are easily accessible—not in an outbuilding or attic where you can’t reach them in an emergency.
• Camping and outdoor supply stores are useful one-stop shops for many emergency items.
• If you’re short on time, pre-assembled kits are available from reputable organizations and retailers.

Check your kit annually—when you change clocks for daylight saving time is a convenient reminder. Replace expired food, update medications, and swap out clothing as children grow.

2. Make a Plan

Creating an emergency plan is low-cost and low-effort, but it significantly reduces panic and confusion when a disaster strikes. Discuss the plan with everyone in your household and post a written version where it’s easy to find. Key elements include:

• Phone numbers for each family member (home, work, and cell).
• An out-of-town contact person everyone should call to report their status if local lines are overloaded.
• Prefer texting when possible—texts often go through even when calls fail.
• A pre-determined meeting place outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home (a school, church, or shopping center works well).

Filling out a simple family emergency plan form helps ensure everyone knows roles, responsibilities, and where to meet or shelter.

3. Stay Informed

Staying informed means knowing where to get reliable, up-to-date information about weather, evacuations, shelters, and emergency services. Identify local radio stations and official channels that broadcast emergency updates in your area. A battery-operated radio or a NOAA weather radio can be lifesaving when other communications fail. Familiarize yourself with local emergency alerts and how authorities communicate during crises.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to Amanda and Michelle for sharing clear, practical guidance. Preparing a basic kit, developing a simple family plan, and identifying trustworthy information sources are steps everyone can take to increase safety and peace of mind. We were reminded to check our supplies and update our plan, and we hope this motivates you to do the same.

On a related note, some neighbors affected when a tree fell on their house after a storm have since moved back in after extensive repairs. They used the opportunity to reconfigure the damaged area and turned two small rooms into one larger master suite. It was encouraging to see how recovery can also bring positive change.