Preparedness Hub
Preparedness is not about fear or extreme scenarios. It is about understanding likely risks, building simple plans, and choosing reliable gear that supports those plans.
This hub is designed to help you build practical readiness step by step—starting with planning, then moving to equipment only where it adds real value.
How to Use This Hub
- Each section explains what to prepare for and why it matters
- Key actions focus on planning and habits, not just products
- Links connect you to deeper guides and relevant gear
Power & Lighting Preparedness
Power outages are one of the most common disruptions households experience, whether caused by storms, equipment failure, or seasonal demand. Preparing for loss of electricity is less about running everything as normal and more about maintaining safety, communication, and basic comfort.
The goal is simple: ensure you can see, stay informed, and keep essential devices running long enough to make good decisions.
Key Actions
- Identify which activities truly require power (lighting, communication, medical devices)
- Stage lighting in multiple locations, including bedrooms, kitchens, and entry points
- Keep phones and small power banks charged during normal use, not only during emergencies
- Understand safe alternatives to electric lighting and cooking
- Test batteries and backup devices on a regular schedule
Gear That Supports This Plan
Reliable lighting and backup power help extend your ability to function safely during an outage. Flashlights, headlamps, lanterns, and small power stations provide controlled light and device charging without relying on open flames or unsafe workarounds.
Choose equipment based on how and where it will be used, focusing on reliability, ease of use, and storage life rather than maximum output.
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- A Deeper Dive into Power & lighting
- How to Prepare for a Power Outage
Addition preparedness links coming soon!
Water & Hydration
Access to safe drinking water is one of the fastest issues to arise during emergencies. Disruptions can come from weather events, infrastructure failures, or temporary loss of utilities. Preparing for water needs is about ensuring both availability and safety.
A practical water plan focuses on having enough for basic hydration, food preparation, and minimal hygiene—without relying on a single source or method.
Water access is often taken for granted until it changes. Learn how water disruptions happen and how to plan calmly in our Water & Hydration Preparedness guide.
Key Actions
- Store a baseline supply of drinking water for short-term disruptions
- Plan for at least two methods of making water safe to drink
- Include portable options for travel, evacuation, or outdoor use
- Understand local water risks such as boil notices or contamination
- Rotate stored water periodically to maintain freshness
Gear That Supports This Plan
Water filtration and purification tools help reduce dependence on a single stored supply. Filters, purification tablets, and compact containers allow flexibility when water sources are uncertain or when evacuation becomes necessary.
Select solutions that match how you expect to use them—home storage, vehicle kits, or personal carry—prioritizing reliability and simplicity.
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Emergency Water Storage & Purification
Learn how much water to store, how to store it safely, and practical ways to purify water at home, in vehicles, and on the go—using simple, reliable methods that don’t overcomplicate preparedness.
👉 Read the full guide: Emergency Water Storage & Purification
First Aid & Medical
Minor injuries and medical issues are far more common during emergencies than dramatic scenarios. Power outages, severe weather, and disruptions to normal routines can increase the risk of cuts, burns, strains, and delayed access to professional care.
A practical first aid plan focuses on the ability to manage common injuries, stabilize more serious issues, and care for existing medical needs until normal services are available.
Key Actions
- Maintain a basic first aid kit for everyday injuries and minor emergencies
- Build a secondary kit for more serious situations or extended disruptions
- Regularly check expiration dates on medications and sterile supplies
- Keep written emergency contacts, allergies, and medical needs with your kit
- Store supplies where they are accessible, not buried or forgotten
Gear That Supports This Plan
Well-organized first aid supplies allow faster and more calm responses when injuries occur. Pre-assembled kits, refill components, and individual medical supplies help tailor your setup to your household’s needs.
Focus on quality, clear labeling, and familiarity rather than size alone. A kit you understand how to use is more valuable than one filled with unfamiliar items.
Learn More
👉 Read the full guide: A practical guide to essential medical supplies and first aid readiness.
Browse First Aid & Medical Supplies
Go-Bags & Evacuation
Some situations require leaving home on short notice due to weather events, infrastructure issues, or local emergencies. Evacuation does not always mean long-term displacement but being able to leave quickly and safely reduces stress and improves decision-making.
A go-bag supports short-term independence and mobility, providing essential items that help you move, communicate, and care for basic needs while plans adjust.
Key Actions
- Prepare a go-bag for each household member based on individual needs
- Focus on essentials: water, light, first aid, communication, and basic comfort
- Store go-bags in accessible locations, not deep storage
- Keep copies of important documents in waterproof containers
- Review and update contents periodically as seasons and needs change
Gear That Supports This Plan
A well-built go-bag combines durable storage with practical equipment that balances weight, function, and reliability. Pre-assembled kits, modular bags, and refillable components help simplify preparation without unnecessary complexity.
Choose gear that you can carry comfortably and use confidently. Simplicity and familiarity are more important than packing for unlikely scenarios.
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👉 Read the full guide: Go-Bags & Evacuation Readiness
Preparing to leave safely, calmly, and with what matters most.
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Communications & Weather Alerts
Access to timely information and the ability to communicate are critical during emergencies. Power outages, severe weather, and infrastructure disruptions can interrupt normal channels, making it harder to receive updates or coordinate with others.
A communication plan focuses on redundancy—ensuring you can receive alerts, stay informed, and maintain contact even when common systems are unavailable.
Key Actions
- Establish at least two ways to receive emergency alerts and weather information
- Create a simple family or household communication plan
- Designate an out-of-area contact for check-ins if local networks are overloaded
- Keep radios, chargers, and backup power accessible and tested
- Review alert settings on mobile devices periodically
Gear That Supports This Plan
Emergency radios, weather-band receivers, and portable communication devices help ensure access to critical information when internet or cellular service is limited. Backup charging options extend usability during prolonged disruptions.
Choose devices that are easy to operate, clearly labeled, and suitable for both home use and portable kits.
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Additional communication and weather preparedness guides will be added here.
Start Here: A Simple Preparedness Baseline
- Identify your most likely local emergencies
- 👉 Read the full guide: State-by-State Emergency Preparedness
- Prioritize water, lighting, and first aid
- Build a 72-hour baseline per person
- Store supplies where they are easy to access
- Improve one area at a time
Preparedness is built through calm planning and steady improvements—not panic buying.
