Household Emergency Planning Kit

Before you start

Build a practical communication, supplies and access plan before an emergency occurs.

For: Households, people living alone, trusted supporters and learners planning a fictional household.
Goal: A locally informed communication plan, supply inventory, access questions and review calendar.

Use a fictional household if you do not want to record private details.
Find your local official emergency-management and warning information.
List ordinary access, transport and communication needs without sharing diagnoses or exact addresses.

This kit prepares a paper plan and is not emergency-response certification. During an actual emergency, use current official instructions and appropriate emergency services. Do not undertake hazardous drills, operate unfamiliar utilities, or use generators or fuel-burning equipment in enclosed spaces. Medical and powered-device backup needs require qualified guidance. Keep actual contacts, locations and health information private.

Keep your own editable copy. The website calculator and checklist are temporary; downloads do not save an account record. Use fictional information for practice; do not store passwords or sensitive records here.

Action guide

Find the local instructions
Different hazards call for different actions and warnings.
- Identify the official local warning channels and emergency-management information; record where to check updates.
- Choose two relevant hazards and write which official instructions you would follow for each.
- Ask about accessible warning formats, transport or shelter arrangements relevant to the household.
- Discuss the plan with household members without attempting a hazardous drill or ignoring an actual warning.
Check: The plan names official information sources and does not use the same response for every hazard.

Plan communication and meeting
People may be apart when normal communication is interrupted.
- Agree on a household check-in method and an alternative if a phone or internet connection fails.
- Choose an appropriate local meeting option and an alternative according to official guidance; keep exact locations in a private version.
- Confirm that any chosen out-of-area contact or support person agrees to the role.
- Make a minimal private contact card and ensure each appropriate person can access it without unlocking someone else’s account.
Check: Household members can explain the check-in method, backup and agreed contact role.

Inventory before buying
Supplies should fit actual needs and avoid duplicate purchases.
- Use the official emergency-supply guidance to list water, food, light, communications and other household-specific needs.
- Mark what is already available, usable and portable, then identify gaps and any expiry or replacement dates.
- Ask qualified providers about prescribed-medication continuity or powered-equipment needs when relevant; do not invent a medical backup plan.
- Budget for a manageable next purchase using actual quotes, and identify local support if a required need cannot be met.
Check: The inventory distinguishes existing supplies, gaps and questions requiring a qualified answer.

Review the plan safely
A paper plan is stronger when people can find and explain it.
- Walk through the plan verbally in a safe setting and check that members can find the private contact card.
- Review escape/access information using official guidance; do not enter hazards, operate unfamiliar utility controls or test medical equipment unsupervised.
- Store supplies where appropriate authorized people can find them and note maintenance or expiry reviews.
- Set a review after a household change and a regular calendar check; update one identified gap.
Check: A safe discussion reveals any missing contact, access or supply step and assigns a follow-up.

Checklist

[ ] Find official local warnings and emergency information.
[ ] Identify two relevant hazards and their different instructions.
[ ] Check accessible communication and transport questions.
[ ] Agree a check-in method and an alternative.
[ ] Confirm a support contact has accepted the role.
[ ] Keep exact meeting/contact details in a private version.
[ ] Inventory usable supplies before purchasing.
[ ] Identify qualified-provider questions for medical or powered-equipment needs.
[ ] Budget a next purchase with actual quotes.
[ ] Discuss the plan safely and schedule a supply/review date.

Worked budget

A practice household has a $60 one-time allowance and already owns other necessary supplies. The listed purchases are illustrative inputs, not a complete kit or local price claims.

One-time costs: $50.00
Monthly costs: $0.00
one-time allowance left: $10.00

The selected one-time purchases total $50, leaving $10. If the water-storage quote rises to $20, the total is $58 and the balance is $2. Money left over does not prove the household is prepared: compare quantities, needs and missing items with official guidance. The table does not cover every emergency need, prescribed-care requirement or evacuation cost.

CSV has no formulas. Sum costs separately by period. Subtract only matching-period costs from the allowance. Keep upfront funds and ongoing funds separate; do not count the same payment twice.

Worksheet

1. Which official local warning and instruction sources will you use?
My notes: ___________________________

2. Which two hazards are relevant, and how do their instructions differ?
My notes: ___________________________

3. What is the household check-in method and backup?
My notes: ___________________________

4. Which role has agreed to help if local communication is disrupted?
My notes: ___________________________

5. Which supplies are available, usable and due for review?
My notes: ___________________________

6. What access, prescribed-care or equipment question needs qualified guidance?
My notes: ___________________________

7. Which next purchase or support request addresses a verified gap?
My notes: ___________________________

8. When will the household review and safely discuss the plan again?
My notes: ___________________________

References

Ready.gov: make a household emergency plan: https://www.ready.gov/plan
Ready.gov: emergency supplies: https://www.ready.gov/kit
U.S. Fire Administration: prepare for home fires: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/
National Weather Service: family severe-weather planning: https://www.weather.gov/ffc/family_plan