September is National Preparedness Month, a great time to take steps to prepare yourself and your family for a disaster. The 2025 theme for the month is “Preparedness Starts at Home,” and Ready.gov has four key action items you can take to prepare for any disaster, big or small.
Know Your Risk
Understanding what types of disasters or emergencies happen in your area will help you create plans to keep you and your family safe during such emergencies. To help prepare:
- Identify the ways local authorities will communicate during a disaster. This can include local media (TV and radio stations), NOAA Weather Radios, social media, and emergency text messages.
- Understand the different weather alerts, such as watches and warnings, and what actions to take in each.
- Create emergency contact cards for each family member. Print one card for each family member and include all contact numbers for each person (work, school, cell phone). Make the card small enough to fit in a pocket, wallet, or purse (you can choose to fold it), and make sure everyone always takes the card with them. The American Red Cross has a template you can use to create your emergency contact card.
- If you are traveling, research the area in advance to learn what types of emergencies may occur, how to get information in the event of a disaster, and where you may be able to get assistance if an emergency situation arises.
- Have at least one member of your household trained in CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Make A Family Emergency Plan
Making a plan and practicing it with your family can help reduce stress and save time and money if a disaster strikes. Ready.gov has three easy steps to follow to create your emergency plan.
Discuss the following items with all members of your family/household:
- How to receive emergency alerts and warnings
- Shelter plans
- Evacuation routes
- Family/household communication plan
- Meeting locations
- Emergency preparedness kits.
Consider your household’s specific needs.
- What are the needs of each individual based on age, medical conditions, diet, disabilities, etc.? This will help determine what needs to be in emergency kits and/or needs to be taken with you if evacuated.
- What are the responsibilities of each person in the household?
- Are there pets? What needs will they have in an emergency?
Create the emergency plan.
Ready.gov has a fillable form you can use to create your plan.
Practice your plan with your family/household.
You may not be able to practice every part of the plan, but practice as much as you can and do so regularly so every member of your household is prepared.
Build An Emergency Supply Kit
When a disaster strikes, it may disrupt utilities and the ability to get basic supplies, so it’s important to have an emergency kit for your family. It’s a good idea to have the kit in a bag or container that can be easily moved in case you need to evacuate your home. Ready.gov has instructions on building your kit, including a downloadable checklist. Some items to include in your kit are:
- Water: One gallon per person for several days for both drinking and sanitation
- Food: At least a several-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
- Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape to shelter in place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
- Soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
- Medications, both prescription and non-prescription (pain relievers, antacids, etc.)
- Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
- Infant formula, diapers, wipes, and diaper rash cream
- Cash or traveler's checks
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children
Get Involved In Your Community By Taking Action To Prepare For Emergencies
In a large-scale emergency, emergency responders will be stretched thin, and there may be a need for you and others to help until help can arrive. Be prepared to help your family and community by:
- Learning CPR and first aid. Many organizations with your community offer classes.
- Joining a Community Emergency Response Team program, which will give you basic training on disaster response.
- Take a free online independent study course through FEMA or the American Red Cross to learn more about how to help your community.
For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit the American Red Cross’ website.