A source-backed master checklist organized by household needs and hazard-specific conditions.
A transparent preparedness baseline—not a one-size-fits-all shopping list
The master checklist separates universal baseline items from household and hazard-specific modules. Use Prep Check to narrow this list to what applies to your household.
Planning & Communication
0 conditional items in this category
Written emergency contact list
Keep household and out-of-area contacts available even if a phone is unavailable.
Review guidance →Household meeting places
Choose familiar meeting places for separation at home, in the neighborhood and outside the immediate area.
Review guidance →Evacuation destination and routes
Know where you could go, how you would get there and an alternate route when evacuation is required.
Review guidance →Official emergency alerts
Have at least one reliable way to receive official local warnings and know which local alert systems apply.
Review guidance →Paper backup of critical information
Keep important phone numbers, addresses and instructions available on paper.
Review guidance →Local maps
Keep maps or offline navigation information for routes and evacuation when normal connectivity is unavailable.
Review guidance →Water
0 conditional items in this category
Stored emergency water
Store a baseline of at least 1 gallon per person per day; CDC says at least 3 days and to try for 2 weeks if possible.
Review guidance →Safe water containers
Use unopened commercial water or food-grade containers suitable for drinking-water storage.
Review guidance →Water inspection and rotation plan
Track dates, inspect containers and replace self-filled stored water about every 6 months.
Review guidance →Backup water treatment method
Know how to boil or disinfect water when authorities say treatment is appropriate; understand that chemical contamination cannot simply be treated away.
Review guidance →Food & Cooking
1 conditional items in this category
Non-perishable food supply
Keep foods your household can actually eat when shopping or normal cooking is disrupted.
Review guidance →Manual can opener
Keep a manual can opener if canned foods are part of the plan.
Review guidance →Low-power or no-cook meal plan
Make sure part of the food supply can be prepared without normal kitchen power.
Review guidance →Special dietary needs
Include household-specific food needs, allergies and medically necessary dietary items.
Applies when: special_dietReview guidance →Lighting & Power
2 conditional items in this category
Emergency lighting
Keep dependable flashlights, headlamps or battery-powered lanterns available.
Review guidance →Spare batteries or charging plan
Keep compatible spare batteries or a reliable charging method for essential lights and radios.
Review guidance →Battery or hand-crank emergency radio
Maintain a battery-powered or hand-crank radio; NOAA Weather Radio is useful where available.
Review guidance →Phone charging backup
Keep chargers, car charging or power banks for household communication devices.
Review guidance →Working carbon monoxide alarms
Maintain working battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarms, especially if outage equipment or fuel-burning devices may be used.
Applies when: outageReview guidance →Refrigerator and freezer thermometers
Appliance thermometers help judge food-safety temperatures during outages.
Applies when: outageReview guidance →Generator placement and CO-safety plan
If a portable generator may be used, plan to operate it only outdoors more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Applies when: generatorReview guidance →Medical & First Aid
4 conditional items in this category
First aid kit
Keep a household first aid kit and know where it is stored.
Review guidance →Prescription medications
Plan an emergency medication supply and refill strategy appropriate to household medical needs and local rules.
Applies when: medicalReview guidance →Medication and medical-information list
Keep an accessible list of medications, dosages, allergies and relevant medical information.
Applies when: medicalReview guidance →Backup plan for power-dependent medical devices
For devices that require electricity, document runtime, charging, backup power and what to do if the outage outlasts the backup.
Applies when: medical_deviceReview guidance →Vision and hearing supplies
Include spare glasses, contact-lens supplies, hearing-aid batteries or other personal assistive supplies when needed.
Applies when: assistiveReview guidance →Sanitation & Hygiene
0 conditional items in this category
Hand hygiene supplies
Keep soap and safe water or appropriate hand-hygiene alternatives for periods without normal utilities.
Review guidance →Waste and toilet backup plan
Plan for toilet use, garbage and household waste if water or sewer service is interrupted.
Review guidance →Garbage bags and ties
Keep sturdy garbage bags and ties for sanitation and waste-management needs.
Review guidance →Personal hygiene supplies
Keep wipes, hygiene products and other household-specific personal-care items.
Review guidance →Documents & Practical
0 conditional items in this category
Copies of essential documents
Keep protected copies of identification, insurance, medical and household documents you may need after an emergency.
Review guidance →Emergency cash
Keep some cash available in case electronic payments are unavailable.
Review guidance →Spare essential keys
Keep access to spare house and vehicle keys where appropriate.
Review guidance →Utility shutoff knowledge and tools
Know how and when utilities can be shut off; keep an appropriate wrench or pliers if your local setup requires it.
Review guidance →Whistle
Keep a whistle available to signal for help where it could be useful.
Review guidance →Evacuation & Shelter
1 conditional items in this category
Portable go-kit
Keep a portable set of critical supplies that can leave with you when evacuation is required.
Review guidance →Blankets or emergency warmth
Keep blankets, sleeping bags or emergency blankets appropriate to your climate and evacuation plan.
Review guidance →Seasonal clothing and sturdy footwear
Include weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes in evacuation planning.
Review guidance →Protective masks where relevant
Keep N95 or other appropriate masks when local hazards or household needs make respiratory protection relevant.
Applies when: wildfireReview guidance →Pets
4 conditional items in this category
Pet identification, collar and leash
Keep current identification and restraint equipment for pets.
Applies when: petsReview guidance →Pet carrier or transport plan
Have a safe way to transport pets during evacuation.
Applies when: petsReview guidance →Pet food and water
Include pet food and additional water in household quantities.
Applies when: petsReview guidance →Pet medications and records
Include pet medications, veterinary information and important records when applicable.
Applies when: petsReview guidance →Infant & Child Needs
3 conditional items in this category
Diapers and hygiene supplies
Include enough diapers, wipes and related supplies for the planned period.
Applies when: infantReview guidance →Infant feeding supplies
Plan formula, bottles, baby food or other feeding needs with safe-water requirements in mind.
Applies when: infantReview guidance →Child comfort and activity items
Include simple comfort or activity items that make sheltering or evacuation more manageable.
Applies when: childrenReview guidance →Hazard Modules
6 conditional items in this category
Tornado shelter location
Identify the safest available shelter location before a warning occurs.
Applies when: tornadoReview guidance →Hurricane evacuation plan
Know evacuation zones, routes, destinations and the trigger for leaving when officials direct evacuation.
Applies when: hurricaneReview guidance →Winter warmth and outage plan
Plan safe warmth, layers and sleeping arrangements for winter power loss without creating CO or fire risks.
Applies when: winterReview guidance →Flood evacuation and high-ground plan
Know routes that avoid flood-prone areas and never rely on driving through flooded roads.
Applies when: floodReview guidance →Wildfire evacuation readiness
Prepare routes, portable supplies and an early-leaving plan when wildfire threatens.
Applies when: wildfireReview guidance →Secure heavy objects and identify Drop, Cover, Hold On locations
Reduce falling-object hazards before an earthquake and know how to protect yourself during shaking.
Applies when: earthquakeReview guidance →