emergency preparedness checklist USA
✅ Emergency Preparedness Checklist (USA)
🔹 1. Emergency Supplies Kit
Prepare for at least 3 days (ideally up to 2 weeks).
Essentials:
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible)
- Extra phone chargers / power banks
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust masks (for contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (shelter-in-place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- Local maps
- Personal hygiene items
Special Items:
- Medications (7-day supply) & medical equipment
- Glasses/contacts
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers
- Pet food and water
- Important documents (copies in waterproof container)
- Cash (small bills)
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
- Sleeping bags or blankets
🔹 2. Emergency Plan
- Family communication plan (phone numbers, meeting points)
- Out-of-state emergency contact
- Local evacuation routes and shelter locations
- Plan for pets (many shelters don’t allow them)
- Emergency info saved on phones and printed
🔹 3. Home Safety
- Know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity
- Fire extinguisher easily accessible
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors working
- Secure heavy furniture and appliances
- Insurance (home, flood, earthquake) up to date
🔹 4. Vehicle Preparedness
- Emergency kit in car
- Jumper cables
- Blankets
- Extra phone charger
- First aid kit
- Maps and local area information
🔹 5. Stay Informed
- Sign up for local alerts and warnings (e.g., FEMA, Wireless Emergency Alerts)
- NOAA Weather Radio or trusted alert app
- Follow local emergency services on social media
🔹 6. Practice and Review
- Conduct family emergency drills (fire, evacuation, shelter-in-place)
- Review plan and update supplies every 6 months
- Teach children how and when to call 911
