Household Preparedness Calculator

Why Prepare?

Emergency situations such as natural disasters, power outages, or other unexpected events can disrupt access to basic necessities like food and water. Having an emergency supply helps ensure your household can remain self-sufficient during challenging times.

FEMA Recommendations

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends:

• Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
• Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Other supplies: Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, first aid kit, extra batteries, manual can opener, cell phone with chargers and backup battery

Beyond The Basics

For longer-term preparedness, consider:

• Food variety: Plan for balanced nutrition with proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals
• Water purification: Methods to purify water if your stored supply runs out
• Alternative cooking: Non-electric methods to cook food
• Medication: Extra supply of essential medications
• Special needs: Additional supplies for infants, elderly, or those with special requirements

Storage Rotation

To ensure your emergency supplies remain fresh and usable:

• Regularly check expiration dates
• Use a "first in, first out" approach - use and replace older items first
• Conduct a complete inventory check twice a year (when changing clocks for daylight saving time is a good reminder)

Creating a comprehensive household emergency plan goes beyond just food and water storage. Communication is a critical element that's often overlooked. Establish a family emergency communication plan that includes contact information for all household members, out-of-town contacts, and emergency services. During disasters, local phone lines may be congested, so having an out-of-area contact can help family members relay information to each other.

Practice makes perfect when it comes to emergency preparedness. Conduct regular drills with your household to ensure everyone knows what to do in different emergency scenarios. This includes evacuation routes, meeting points, and how to shut off utilities if necessary. Children should know their full names, addresses, and parents' contact information, or carry this information with them in a secure place. Additionally, consider learning essential skills like CPR, first aid, and basic home repair.

Building community resilience complements individual household preparedness. Get to know your neighbors and their skills - someone might be a nurse, electrician, or have other valuable skills during an emergency. Consider joining or starting a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in your area. These teams receive training in basic disaster response skills and can provide crucial assistance before first responders arrive. Remember that in widespread emergencies, official help may be delayed, so communities that can support each other fare better both during and after disasters.