New to Preparedness?
Start here. It's simpler than it looks.
Everything below comes back to seven things. Work through them at your own pace — there's no deadline, and you don't need to buy everything today. Open each one to see what actually matters and where to go next.
1 Water −
Store at least one gallon per person, per day, for three days minimum — two weeks is better if you have the space. Filtration is a good backup. It is not a substitute for water you already have stored.
2 Food +
Start with shelf-stable foods your household already eats and can prepare without power. A manual can opener matters more than people expect. Build toward a two-week supply gradually.
3 Shelter & Warmth +
Shelter starts at home: can everyone stay warm if the power goes out, or dry if the weather turns? From there it extends to what you'd carry if you had to leave, and how to improvise cover if you couldn't get home.
4 First Aid +
A general first-aid kit is the starting point, not the finish line. Think about your household specifically: prescriptions, glasses, mobility equipment, or medical devices that need power. Preparedness only works if it fits the people actually relying on it.
5 Power +
Start with light — a dependable flashlight or lantern you can find in the dark. Then think about charging phones. Larger backup power makes sense for some households, but it isn't where you have to start.
6 Communication +
A phone depends on a lot of things working at once — battery, network, charging. A battery- or hand-crank-powered radio, written-down phone numbers, and an out-of-area contact give you a backup that doesn't depend on cell service.
7 Evacuation +
If staying isn't safe, you need to be able to leave quickly: a packed go-bag, a vehicle that's ready for a delay, and a household plan so nobody has to figure it out in the moment.