Emergency Preparedness Checklist: What to Stock, Pack, and Print
- The Core Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- How Much Water, Food, and Medicine to Stock
- Emergency Preparedness Gear for Power, Light, and Communication
- Download the official FEMA emergency preparedness checklist PDF
- Emergency Response Checklist: The First Hour After Disaster Strikes
- Keep Your Checklist Current Year-Round
- Conclusion
- FAQs
A weather alert hits your phone. You check the pantry and realize you have enough food for a day, a few dead batteries, and no idea where the flashlight went. That's when emergency prep gets real. This emergency preparedness checklist pulls together the supplies, water, medical items, backup power, and printable resources you can sort out before the next storm or outage.
The Core Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Ready.gov's "Build A Kit" guidance is a solid starting point for emergency supplies. Start with the basics, then add items based on your household, your location, and the kinds of emergencies you're most likely to face.
Basic disaster supplies kit
Start with the core supplies Ready.gov recommends for handling common emergencies, from severe weather to power outages. These basics cover water, food, communication, lighting, first aid, sanitation, and a few simple tools you may need when normal services are disrupted.
What to keep | What it's for |
Water | Drinking and sanitation |
Nonperishable food | Several days of meals |
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio | Emergency updates when power or internet is unavailable |
NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert | Severe weather warnings |
Flashlight and extra batteries | Reliable lighting during an outage |
First aid kit | Basic injuries |
Whistle | Signaling for help |
Dust mask | Filtering dust and airborne particles |
Plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape | Temporary protection and repairs |
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties | Basic sanitation |
Wrench or pliers | Turning off utilities |
Manual can opener | Opening canned food |
Local maps | Navigation if phone service is unavailable |
Cell phone, chargers, and backup battery | Staying connected |
Add what your household needs
Your basic kit won't cover every household. Add prescription and nonprescription medications, glasses and contact solution, and supplies for babies or pets if you need them. Keep soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, cash, copies of important records, and basic hygiene supplies on hand. It's also smart to have a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, a change of clothes, sturdy shoes, a fire extinguisher, waterproof matches, and a few simple items such as paper, pencils, and games for kids.
How Much Water, Food, and Medicine to Stock
Water is one area where "stock up" isn't very helpful. The CDC recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day for three days and suggests working toward a two-week supply if possible. For a family of four, that means 12 gallons for three days or 56 gallons for two weeks. You may need more for pregnancy, illness, pets, or hot weather. Replace home-bottled water every six months and keep commercial bottles sealed in a cool, dark place. For food, keep several days of nonperishable items in a cool, dry place and choose foods your household will actually eat so you can rotate them before they expire.
Medical supplies and power-dependent devices
The CDC recommends keeping at least a week's supply of prescription medications, a cooler for refrigerated medicines, and batteries or portable chargers for equipment such as hearing aids. Keep a written list of prescriptions, dosages, medical needs, and allergies, and talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your emergency supply. For older adults, this power outage kit for seniors can help cover medication, warmth, and mobility needs.
Emergency Preparedness Gear for Power, Light, and Communication
Ready.gov covers the basics with a radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and a phone backup battery. For a multi-day outage, you'll also need a plan for keeping the refrigerator, medical devices, and phones running. The CDC recommends power banks, car chargers, extra AA and AAA batteries, and an outdoor-rated extension cord at least 20 feet long for generator use. A battery power station can run indoors without fuel, while gas generators must stay outdoors and follow the CDC's 20-foot rule.
Power and communication gear checklist
A few additions can make your basic emergency kit much more useful during a longer outage:
NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert: Keeps you informed about severe weather warnings even when internet or cell service is unreliable.
Flashlights or headlamps: Give you hands-free lighting without the fire risk of candles.
Extra batteries: Keep common sizes such as AA and AAA on hand for radios, flashlights, and other devices.
Phone power bank and car charger: Give you more than one way to keep your phone charged when the power is out.
Portable power station: Choose a capacity that matches the refrigerator, medical equipment, electronics, or other essential loads you plan to run.
Outdoor-rated extension cord: Useful when connecting a generator to equipment outdoors. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep the generator at least 20 feet from the home.
Estimating runtime for the loads on your list
A simple estimate is battery capacity (Wh) × 0.85 ÷ load (W). The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max provides about 1,740Wh of usable energy, enough for roughly 35 hours for a 50W laptop or about a day for a refrigerator rated at 600 kWh per year. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X provides about 10,200Wh of usable energy, which could support the same refrigerator and laptop for roughly five days. Larger loads will reduce runtime. For medical devices, use the wattage on your own device or power supply and confirm backup requirements with the provider.
Recharging during a long outage
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max reaches 80% from 0% in 68 minutes with wall or generator charging. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is an installed system, with rooftop solar integration requiring the appropriate equipment and a licensed electrician. Before storm season, run a real load and time how long it lasts. This power station runtime test can help you plan with real-world numbers.
For larger backup needs, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is designed to support selected household circuits. If you need something you can move between rooms and use for individual essentials, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max offers a more portable approach.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X is the installed option for keeping selected home circuits running through a multi-day outage. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max is the portable option you can carry to the bedroom for a CPAP or to the kitchen for a refrigerator, making it a practical choice for renters who can't install a permanent system. With your supplies and backup power covered, the next step is putting everything on paper. FEMA already provides an official printable checklist you can use.
Download the official FEMA emergency preparedness checklist PDF
A printable checklist makes it easier to organize supplies, shop for what you need, and keep track of what you already have. Ready.gov's Emergency Supply Kit Checklist was last updated July 9, 2024, and is available in six languages. You can also print the Family Emergency Communication Plan alongside it.
Make the printed checklist yours
The standard checklist gives you the basics, but a few personal details can make it much more useful during an actual emergency:
Add your medications: Write down each medication, dose, and any special storage requirements so you don't have to remember them under pressure.
Include your pets: Note each pet's food, water, medications, and other supplies you'll need if you're stuck at home or have to leave.
Add your power needs: List the wattage of essential devices and your estimated backup runtime so you know which items your battery can handle.
Mark expiration dates: Note when food, medications, batteries, and other supplies need to be replaced so the kit stays ready.
Record storage locations: Write down whether each set of supplies is kept at home, in your car, or at work so you can find it quickly.
Home, car, and work versions
Ready.gov recommends keeping emergency supplies at home, at work, and in your vehicle. The kits don't have to be identical. Keep the items you'll realistically need in each location, especially medications, communication gear, water, and basic supplies. If you're preparing specifically for a power outage, this power outage emergency supply kit covers the items that can help you keep the lights on, food cold, and essential devices charged. A printed checklist helps you prepare before an emergency. The next step is knowing what to do during the first hour after one happens.
Emergency Response Checklist: The First Hour After Disaster Strikes
Preparation matters most when you know what to do next. If a storm knocks out the power or damages your home, work through the first steps in order instead of trying to solve everything at once.
Call 911 for immediate danger: Report injuries, fires, downed power lines, or other emergencies.
Check official alerts: Use your phone or NOAA Weather Radio for warnings and instructions.
Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed: The CDC says a refrigerator can keep food safe for up to four hours. A full freezer can hold food safely for about 48 hours, or 24 hours if it's half full, when the door stays closed.
Protect refrigerated medicine: Move medicine that needs refrigeration to a cooler. If the outage lasts a day or longer, follow the medication label and medical guidance before using or discarding it.
Use generators safely: Never run a gas generator inside your home, basement, or garage. Keep it at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents.
Power the essentials first: Start with medical devices, the refrigerator, phones, and lights.
Report the outage: Use your utility's outage page or map so the utility knows about the problem.
Gas generators also bring carbon monoxide risks when they're used too close to a home. These carbon monoxide dangers are especially important during winter emergencies, when people may be tempted to move equipment into a garage or other enclosed space.
Keep Your Checklist Current Year-Round
An emergency kit can quietly become outdated. Batteries lose charge, food expires, prescriptions change, and kids outgrow clothes and shoes. Set aside time to check the kit twice a year and review the bigger picture once a year.
Task | How often | Source |
Rotate self-bottled water | Every 6 months | CDC |
Check emergency kit contents | Every 6 months | CDC |
Review household needs | Once a year | Ready.gov |
Charge and test your power station | Before hurricane or winter storm season | Recommended practice |
Daylight saving time changes can make a handy reminder for the twice-yearly check. Look through the kit, replace anything expired, charge your backup batteries, and make sure everyone in the household knows where the supplies are. A broader seasonal home maintenance checklist can help you fold emergency-prep tasks into the other work you already do around the house.
Conclusion
A useful emergency preparedness checklist covers more than canned food and flashlights. Start with Ready.gov's basic kit, then add enough water, food, medication, communication gear, and backup power for the people in your home. Have a first-hour plan, too, especially for severe weather and power outages. Print the official Ready.gov checklist, add your household's specific needs, and test your backup power with a real load before storm season. For portable essentials, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max can move wherever you need it. For selected home circuits, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X provides an installed backup option.
FAQs
What are the essential items on an emergency preparedness checklist?
Ready.gov's basic kit includes water, nonperishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio, a flashlight, first aid supplies, extra batteries, a whistle, a dust mask, basic tools, sanitation supplies, local maps, and a phone with chargers and a backup battery.
Is there an official emergency preparedness checklist PDF?
Yes. Ready.gov provides an official Emergency Supply Kit Checklist in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Tagalog, and Korean. You can use it to organize your emergency supplies and print it for easy reference.
How much water should I store for an emergency?
The CDC recommends at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for three days and suggests working toward a two-week supply if possible. You may need more for pets, illness, pregnancy, or very hot weather.
What should be on an emergency response checklist?
Start with immediate safety. Call 911 for injuries, fire, downed power lines, or other immediate danger. Then check official alerts, keep the refrigerator and freezer closed, protect refrigerated medicine, use generators safely, power essential devices, and report the outage to your utility.
What emergency preparedness tools and gear matter most during a power outage?
Start with a NOAA Weather Radio, flashlights or headlamps, extra batteries, a phone power bank and car charger, and a way to power essential devices. A portable power station can also help keep a refrigerator, medical device, phone, or lights running when the outage lasts longer.
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