Start Here: Your Preparedness Roadmap

Find your main water valve, natural gas shutoff, and electrical panel. Tie a brightly colored tag to each and snap a photo for every adult in the household. In a burst pipe or gas odor, knowing exactly where to turn saves minutes that matter.

• Locate the main water shutoff (often near the meter)
• Find the gas shutoff and keep a wrench tied to the meter
• Identify your electrical panel and label the main breaker
• Photograph each shutoff and share with household adults

Three days of self-reliance covers the vast majority of disasters. Pack a grab-and-go bag with water, shelf-stable food, a flashlight, first aid, copies of vital documents, and a change of warm clothes for each person.

• 1 gallon of water per person per day (3 gallons each)
• 3 days of shelf-stable food your family actually eats
• LED headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries
• Basic first aid kit and a 7-day medication supply
• Copies of IDs, insurance, and emergency contacts

Use the 'copycan' rule: every grocery trip, buy one extra of a shelf-stable staple you already eat. In two months you'll have a 14-day reserve of familiar food that rotates naturally — no expired mystery rations.

• Extra canned beans, soups, and proteins each trip
• Rice, oats, pasta, and cooking oils in sealed containers
• A manual can opener within arm's reach
• Pet food, diapers, and hygiene supplies for 2 weeks

Store at least 1 gallon per person per day. Food-grade containers in a cool, dark spot beat reused milk jugs. Date each container and set a calendar reminder to rotate every six months.

• 14 gallons per person minimum (1 gal/day x 2 weeks)
• Food-grade, BPA-free containers only
• Label and date every container
• Add a Sawyer-style 0.1 micron filter as backup

When the grid drops, three things fail together: lights, phone charging, and information. A headlamp per bedroom, a small power station, and a hand-crank NOAA radio keep your household informed and connected.

• One LED headlamp per family member
• A 300Wh+ portable power station for phones and medical gear
• Hand-crank or solar NOAA weather radio
• A laminated paper contact card in every wallet

Disasters are chaotic; a written plan removes guesswork. Agree on two meeting points, an out-of-area contact, and a 15-minute evacuation list. Practice once a year so everyone knows their role.

• Two meeting points: one near home, one outside the neighborhood
• An out-of-area contact who can relay messages
• A 15-minute grab list (Tier 1: life & ID, Tier 2: sustenance, Tier 3: memories)
• A printed copy in the go-bag and one on the fridge