Start with local hazards
Floods, fires, storms, earthquakes and long outages require different actions. Check local authorities, hazard maps and warning systems before buying equipment.
Identify safe places, possible routes and shelter or evacuation instructions.
Write a short household plan
Choose an out-of-area contact, two meeting points and a fallback if phones or transport fail.
Include medication, mobility, medical devices, children, pets and the languages used at home.
Build and maintain an accessible kit
Adapt water, shelf-stable food, radio, light, batteries, first aid, prescribed medication, clothing, chargers and protected document copies to official local advice.
Keep the kit accessible and review dates, batteries, water, clothes and contact details every year.
Practise without creating fear
Run a short exercise to find heavy bags, missing keys, inaccessible routes or unclear instructions.
During an event, follow current official advice and never take risks to retrieve property.
Prepare in 6 steps
- 1
Check local hazards
Use official local maps, alerts and instructions.
- 2
Choose contacts
Set an out-of-area contact and two meeting points.
- 3
Include specific needs
Plan for health, disability, children, pets, language and transport.
- 4
Assemble the kit
Keep only useful, familiar and portable equipment.
- 5
Test the plan
Run a short exercise and fix the obstacles.
- 6
Review yearly
Renew water, food, batteries, documents and contacts.
Mistakes to avoid
- Copying a foreign list without adapting it.
- Keeping the kit somewhere inaccessible.
- Forgetting medication, assistive devices or pets.
- Using fuel-burning equipment in an unsafe indoor space.
- Waiting for a crisis to explain the plan.
Frequently asked questions
Must the kit cover exactly 72 hours?
Follow local guidance. Some authorities recommend 72 hours, while needs and quantities vary by household and location.
Where should document copies be kept?
Protect paper copies from moisture and secure digital versions. Avoid exposing sensitive data.
How can a disabled person be included?
Plan with the person and cover equipment, power, medication, communication, support and transport.
Does a kit replace official instructions?
No. It supports readiness but never replaces an evacuation, shelter or safety instruction.
Official sources
Always verify the date and conditions on the official source.