A family-focused emergency preparedness guide covering 72-hour supply kits, communication plans, meeting points, important document storage, first aid training, and school emergency coordination.
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72-Hour Emergency Kit
Pack 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days
A family of 4 needs 12 gallons minimum. Store water in food-grade containers and replace every 6 months. Add an extra gallon per day if you have an infant (for mixing formula) or if you live in a hot climate.
Store 3 days of non-perishable food per person plus a manual can opener
Choose foods that require no cooking or refrigeration: canned beans, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, and granola bars. Pack 2,000 calories per adult per day and 1,000-1,500 per child. Check expiration dates every 6 months.
Include baby and child-specific supplies: diapers, formula, medications, comfort items
Pack a 5-day supply of diapers (10-12 per day for infants), pre-made formula bottles, children's medications, and one small comfort toy. Rotate these supplies every 3 months as your child's sizes and needs change.
Add a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights, and extra batteries
A hand-crank radio with USB charging eliminates battery dependency. Pack at least 2 flashlights and one headlamp for hands-free use. LED flashlights last 10-20 times longer than incandescent bulbs on the same batteries.
Include a well-stocked first aid kit with child-appropriate supplies
Beyond standard bandages and antiseptic, add children's pain reliever, a digital thermometer, anti-itch cream, tweezers, and an instant cold pack. Include any prescription medications with a 7-day supply and a copy of the prescriptions.
Pack seasonal clothing layers, rain gear, and sturdy shoes for each family member
Store one complete change of weather-appropriate clothing per person in a waterproof bag. Include warm layers even in summer since nighttime temperatures can drop significantly. Replace children's clothing as they outgrow the packed items.
Family Communication Plan
Choose an out-of-area emergency contact who everyone can reach
Local phone lines often overload during disasters, but long-distance calls may go through. Pick a relative or friend in another state. Make sure every family member, including children over 5, has this number memorized or written down.
Teach children to memorize their full name, address, and parents' phone numbers
Children as young as 3-4 can learn to recite their full name and a parent's phone number. Practice it like a song or game. By age 6, they should know their street address and your out-of-area contact's number too.
Create a printed contact card for each family member to carry
Laminate a wallet-sized card with emergency contacts, medical info, allergies, and blood type. Children should carry theirs in a backpack or jacket pocket. Make extras for lunchboxes and car glove compartments.
Agree on text messaging as the primary communication method during emergencies
Text messages use less bandwidth than voice calls and are more likely to go through when networks are congested. Teach children old enough to have phones to send a brief status text to the family group before trying to call.
Meeting Points and Evacuation Routes
Designate a neighborhood meeting point within walking distance of your home
Choose a visible, easily identifiable location like a specific neighbor's mailbox, a park bench, or a church parking lot. Walk each family member to the spot so everyone knows exactly where it is, including young children.
Identify a secondary meeting point outside your neighborhood
If your immediate area is evacuated, meet at a regional landmark like a library, school, or fire station 3-5 miles away. Practice driving two different routes to this location since your primary route may be blocked.
Map 2 evacuation routes out of your neighborhood and practice driving them
Print paper maps since GPS may not work during power outages. Drive both routes with your family at least once per year. Note gas stations along the way and keep your vehicle's tank at least half full at all times.
Know your child's school evacuation and reunification procedures
Every school has a crisis plan that specifies where students go during an evacuation and how parents pick them up. Get this information at the start of each school year. Some schools require photo ID and are listed on an authorized pickup list.
Important Documents
Store copies of critical documents in a waterproof, fireproof bag or safe
Include birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, insurance policies, mortgage/lease documents, and medical records. A fireproof document bag costs $15-30 and can withstand temperatures up to 1,200°F for 30 minutes.
Save digital copies of all documents in a secure cloud service
Scan or photograph every important document and upload to encrypted cloud storage. This ensures access even if physical copies are destroyed. Use a password manager to store the login credentials securely.
Keep cash in small bills ($200-500) in your emergency kit
ATMs and card readers do not work during power outages. Keep $20s, $10s, and $5s since stores may not be able to make change. Replenish the cash if you use any of it between emergencies.
First Aid and Safety Training
Complete a family-focused first aid and CPR certification course
Courses cost $25-75 and take 4-6 hours. Choose one that covers infant, child, and adult CPR plus choking response and wound care. Certification lasts 2 years. Many community centers and fire stations offer free classes.
Teach children age-appropriate emergency responses
Children 4+ can learn to call 911 and state their address. By age 8, they can learn basic first aid like applying pressure to a wound and using an ice pack. Practice these skills quarterly so they become automatic.
Learn how to shut off gas, water, and electricity in your home
Label each shutoff valve with a bright tag. Keep a wrench attached to the gas meter with a zip tie. Show every teenager and adult in the household how to turn them off. Gas should only be turned back on by the utility company.
Practice Drills
Conduct a home fire drill at least twice per year
Practice at different times, including at night when visibility is low. Each child should know 2 ways out of every room. Time the drill and aim for everyone out of the house in under 2 minutes. Discuss what went well and what to improve.
Practice a shelter-in-place scenario for severe weather
Identify the safest room in your home: an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows. Practice getting the whole family there within 3 minutes. Keep shoes, flashlights, and a weather radio in or near this room.
Run through the full evacuation plan including grab-and-go bag retrieval once per year
Time how long it takes to load the emergency kit, documents bag, and family into the car. Aim for under 10 minutes. This practice reveals bottlenecks like a kit stored in a hard-to-reach place or expired car seats that need replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be in a family emergency kit?
FEMA recommends supplies for at least 72 hours (3 days). Essentials: 1 gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food (canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit), a manual can opener, flashlights with extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a first aid kit, 7-day supply of medications per person, important documents in a waterproof bag, cash in small bills ($200-$500), phone chargers (including a portable power bank), and a change of clothes and blanket per person. For families with infants, add formula, diapers, and wipes.
How do you teach young children about emergency plans without scaring them?
Use the language of "practice" rather than "emergency." Frame fire drills as a family game: "Let's see how fast we can all get to the mailbox!" For ages 3-5, focus on 3 simple rules: find a grown-up, go to the meeting spot, and stay there. For ages 6-10, add calling 911 and knowing their home address. Do practice runs quarterly in a fun, low-pressure way. Children who have physically practiced an escape route 3-4 times respond automatically in a real event, while those who have only talked about it often freeze.
How often should families practice emergency drills?
The National Fire Protection Association recommends practicing home fire escape drills at least twice per year — once during the day and once at night, since nighttime fires are more deadly. Practice your family meeting point, two ways out of every room, and how to test doors for heat. Severe weather drills should happen once per season if you live in a tornado or hurricane zone. Review and update your family communication plan every 6 months, especially after moving, changing phone numbers, or adding new family members.
What important documents should be in your emergency go-bag?
Keep copies (physical and digital) of: driver's licenses and passports for all family members, birth certificates, Social Security cards, health insurance cards, medical records and prescription lists, home insurance policy and mortgage documents, vehicle registration and insurance, a recent bank statement, and contact information for family, doctors, and attorneys. Store physical copies in a waterproof document bag. Keep digital copies encrypted on a USB drive in the bag and backed up to secure cloud storage.
How do you prepare for an emergency if you have a child with special needs?
In addition to standard supplies, pack a 14-day supply of medications (not 3 days), backup batteries for medical equipment, sensory comfort items (noise-canceling headphones, a weighted blanket, familiar toys), and a one-page medical summary sheet listing diagnoses, medications, allergies, doctors, and emergency procedures. Register with your local fire department and utility company's special needs registry so first responders know to prioritize your household. Practice your plan with adaptations — if your child uses a wheelchair, time the evacuation route to ensure it works.