Home Emergency Preparation: A Practical Plan
Preparation is mostly knowing where things are and having decided in advance. Here is a plan that takes one afternoon.
Emergency preparation is not stockpiling. It is reducing the number of decisions you have to make under stress, and making sure more than one person in the household knows the answers.
Know your shutoffs — everyone in the house
- Main water shutoff: location, direction to turn, and any tool required
- Main electrical panel: location, and which breaker controls what
- Gas shutoff: location and the wrench, if needed — but only shut gas off if you smell gas or are told to
- Water heater shutoff
- Sump pump breaker and backup power
The supply list that actually gets used
- One gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days
- Three days of food that needs no cooking, plus a manual can opener
- Flashlights and headlamps with spare batteries — not candles
- A battery or crank radio
- Charged power banks for phones
- First aid kit and a two-week supply of prescription medication
- Cash in small bills — card readers fail when power does
- Pet food, medication, and a carrier
- Copies of insurance policies, IDs, and deeds, both paper and encrypted cloud
Document your home before you need to
Walk every room with your phone camera, open closets and cabinets, narrate what things are, and photograph serial numbers on major appliances. Store the file somewhere that survives the house. Insurance claims move dramatically faster with an inventory.
Power outages
- Keep freezers closed — a full freezer holds temperature roughly 48 hours
- Turn off or unplug sensitive electronics to protect against surge on restoration
- Never run a generator in a garage, crawl space, or near windows; carbon monoxide from generators kills people every year
- Know whether your water depends on an electric well pump
- If you rely on medical equipment, register with your utility in advance for priority restoration
Water emergencies
For a burst pipe or major leak: shut off the main, shut off power to affected areas at the panel if water is near outlets or the panel, then document with photographs before moving anything. Call your insurer early — most policies require prompt notice and reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Evacuation
- Agree on a meeting point outside the neighborhood and an out-of-area contact everyone can call
- Keep a go-bag per person with medication, documents, chargers, and a change of clothes
- Know two routes out of your area
- Practice once — most plans fail on details nobody rehearsed
Frequently asked questions
How much water should I store for an emergency?
One gallon per person per day for at least three days, and two weeks if you live where restoration can be slow. Include pets.
Should I turn off the gas in an emergency?
Only if you smell gas, hear it escaping, or are instructed to. Once shut off, it should be restored by the utility, not by you.
What does homeowners insurance cover in a disaster?
It depends on the peril. Most policies exclude flood and earthquake, which require separate coverage. Read your declarations page before you need it.
Editorial note. This article is general guidance, not a substitute for a professional inspection. If you suspect a gas leak, electrical fault, structural damage, or any condition that may be unsafe, leave the area if necessary and contact a licensed professional or your utility immediately.
