Build a 90-day household reserve
Start with 3 days. Grow to 2 weeks, then 30, 60 and 90 days. This is an optional extended planning goal, not a universal government requirement.
Download one-page PDF ↓A LITTLE READY. A LOT MORE PEACE OF MIND.Take care of
Take care of
your tomorrow.
Water in the cupboard. A light in the dark. A plan for everyone you love. Practical preparedness starts with one useful step.
Get the free starter set ↓Find your first step →HOUSEHOLD READINESS / PRINT IT. KEEP IT. USE IT.
You don't need a bunker.
You need a beginning.
Today · 15 minutes
Find your flashlight. Write down three important numbers. Choose a household meeting place.
This week · One shelf
Build a small reserve of water, familiar food and daily essentials. Include every animal.
Over time · A steady habit
Grow your reserve within your budget. Use it, replace it and review your plan as life changes.
A 90-day plan.
One grocery trip at a time.
Start with 3 days, grow to 2 weeks, then work toward 30, 60 and 90 days. A 90-day reserve is our extended planning goal; your space, budget and needs set the pace.
3 DAYS2 WEEKS30 DAYS60 DAYS90 DAYS
Count water, food, hygiene supplies, animal needs and essential health items. Plan safe storage and rotation before buying in bulk.
Baseline: at least 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Add animal water and extra for individual needs, heat or illness. A large reserve needs substantial safe storage.Your first four sheets.
Simple black-and-white friendly pages. No account, no email gate. Download now and keep a paper copy where everyone can find it.
Download all four sheets ↓When the power goes out
Keep this sheet beside a flashlight. Leave early for a safe location if your home cannot meet medical, heating or cooling needs.
Download one-page PDF ↓Every animal needs a plan
Complete one sheet per animal. Ask your veterinarian about species-specific food, water, temperature and medication requirements.
Download one-page PDF ↓A safer household, a clearer plan
Focus on communication, safe exits and avoiding hazards. Follow local emergency instructions. In an immediate emergency in the U.S., call 911.
Download one-page PDF ↓Inside Dawn's preparedness kit.
These are items I own and keep in my personal preparedness kit. I'm sharing my selections to help you build a kit that fits your own needs and budget. - Dawn
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through the links below.
Energizer S-500 Hybrid Power Lantern
A solar and USB rechargeable lantern with the option to run on 3 AA batteries. Its High, Low and Night Light modes give you choices for lighting a shared space during an outage.
Why consider it: Multiple power options give you flexibility when an outlet is unavailable. Charge it ahead of time and keep backup batteries with your outage kit. Solar charging depends on available sunlight; plan a backup.
Dawn owns this item and keeps it in her personal preparedness kit. GoDisaster has not independently tested its performance. Product features are based on the Amazon listing. Check current specifications, price and availability before buying.
View lantern on Amazon ↗Extra-Large 55L Travel Backpack
This black travel and laptop backpack is listed with a 55-liter capacity and water-resistant construction. Consider it as a container for a household member's portable essentials.
Before choosing: Check the dimensions and fit, then test the bag with the weight you can comfortably carry. A large bag can become too heavy quickly. Use sealed pouches for papers and moisture-sensitive supplies; water-resistant does not mean waterproof.
Keep the essentials together: Your contact sheet, flashlight, basic hygiene items and other supplies suited to your household. If you already own a comfortable, sturdy backpack, start with that.
Dawn owns this item and keeps it in her personal preparedness kit. GoDisaster has not independently tested its performance. This is a travel/laptop bag, not verified specialist rescue equipment. Check current specifications, price and availability on Amazon.
View backpack on Amazon ↗UCO Waterproof Safety Matches
This four-pack includes waterproof safety matches with water-resistant boxes and strikers. A compact backup for permitted outdoor fire starting.
Store and use thoughtfully: Keep the matches and striker dry in a sealed container, away from heat and out of reach of children and animals. Follow package directions and local fire restrictions. Never strike a match if you suspect a gas leak. Outdoor grills and fuel-burning camp stoves must stay outdoors; use a flashlight or lantern for outage lighting.
Dawn owns this item and keeps it in her personal preparedness kit. GoDisaster has not independently tested its performance. Check current specifications, price and availability on Amazon.
View matches on Amazon ↗1st Aid 300-Piece First-Aid Kit
A red portable first-aid kit listed with 300 pieces, intended for home, car and camping use. Dawn keeps this kit among her personal preparedness supplies.
Make it your own: Review the actual contents against your household's needs. Piece count alone does not tell you whether a kit has the supplies you need. Check expiration dates and packaging, replace used items and keep supplies accessible to the adults who need them.
GoDisaster has not independently tested this kit. A supply kit does not replace first-aid training or emergency medical care. Check current contents, specifications, price and availability on Amazon.
View first-aid kit on Amazon ↗25 original preparedness guides
Read one now, or choose your household's most useful topic.
Build a Two-Location Cooling Plan
The first plan is for your home; the second is for the day home becomes too hot. Write down a library, community center, or other cooling location that is actually available near you.
Read articleWhy a Fan Is Not Always Enough
Moving air can feel helpful, but a fan cannot replace a reliably cool environment in dangerous heat. CDC guidance notes that fans may increase body temperature when indoor conditions are above 90°F.
Read articlePets and Hot Pavement: A Family Checklist
Dogs and other animals may overheat quickly when exercise, sun and hot surfaces combine. Pets also need shade and access to water on very hot days.
Read articleThe Heat-Ready School Pickup Plan
A pickup delay can become uncomfortable when a parent, child or caregiver waits outside in direct sun. A little scheduling protects everyone.
Read articleCheck on Neighbors Without Making Assumptions
Older adults, people with certain medical needs and households without effective cooling may need extra planning during heat. A simple, respectful check-in can reveal a practical gap.
Read articleThunder Means Go Indoors
A thunderstorm does not need to be directly overhead for lightning to be hazardous. Hearing thunder is already a signal to seek proper shelter.
Read articleMake a Five-Minute Storm Grab List
When a severe thunderstorm warning arrives, the hard part should not be finding a flashlight or shoes. Keep a compact list where everyone sees it.
Read articleWhat to Do When a Storm Finds You Driving
Strong rain, poor visibility and flying debris can make driving hazardous. Different alerts, including tornado and flash-flood warnings, may call for different actions.
Read articleKeep Outdoor Events Lightning-Safe
Picnics, sports and community fairs need a decision rule before thunder starts. Organizers can reduce confusion with a named weather watcher.
Read articleAfter the Storm: The Hidden Hazards
A quiet sky does not mean that roads, trees and electrical systems are safe. Downed branches, floodwater and wires may remain dangerous.
Read articleThe First Four Hours Without Power
An outage plan is easier when divided into short phases. First, confirm your household is safe, find a light and check whether emergency alerts are active.
Read articleGenerator Safety Is Not Optional
A generator can help maintain essential power, but misuse creates a serious carbon monoxide risk. The fumes are invisible and can be deadly.
Read articleA One-Drawer Outage Kit
You do not need a television-ready bunker to find a flashlight. Make an obvious drawer or basket for essential tools that are used in the dark.
Read articleProtect Refrigerated Food During an Outage
Food safety depends on time and temperature, not simply on smell. Doors left open repeatedly make safe storage time shorter.
Read articlePower-Dependent Medical Equipment: Plan Ahead
Some households rely on electrically powered medical devices or refrigerated medicines. That changes the urgency of outage planning.
Read articleNever Trust the Depth of Floodwater
Floodwater can cover missing pavement, moving water or hidden hazards. A familiar road can become unsafe within minutes.
Read articleMake Your Flood Evacuation Folder
When evacuation is possible, a small waterproof document set reduces the scramble for insurance details and medication lists.
Read articleBasement Flooding: Think Electricity First
A wet basement can present an electrical hazard, even if the water appears shallow. Damage assessment is not worth a serious injury.
Read articlePrepare a Flood Plan for Pets
Pets cannot read evacuation maps, but they do need leashes, carriers, food, medication and a destination that accepts animals.
Read articleAfter Flooding: Clean Up Carefully
Floodwater may carry sewage, chemicals and sharp debris. Cleanup requires more than opening a window and starting a fan.
Read articleBuild a Warmth Plan Before the First Freeze
Winter preparation is not only about buying snow shovels. It includes how the household will stay warm if heat, power or transportation fails.
Read articleSnow Day Car Kit for Short Trips
A familiar commute can change when snow, ice or a closure leaves drivers unexpectedly waiting. Keep essentials appropriate to the season.
Read articleRecognizing Dangerous Cold Stress
Frostbite and hypothermia are medical emergencies that may begin subtly. Shivering, confusion, numbness or unusually pale/waxy skin deserve attention.
Read articleWinter Power Outage Without Unsafe Shortcuts
It is tempting to use whatever burns when the heat goes off. That shortcut can produce carbon monoxide or fire.
Read articleHelp a Neighbor After Heavy Snow
The risk after a winter storm can include untreated icy surfaces, blocked access, and delayed supplies. Thoughtful neighbor support starts with a quick check.
Read articlePreparedness without panic.
We believe useful preparation should fit real homes, real budgets and every member of the household. Begin small. Make a plan. Keep a printed copy.
These educational resources do not replace current emergency instructions or individualized medical or veterinary advice. Follow local authorities; call 911 for an immediate U.S. emergency.
Official references: Ready.gov emergency kits · Ready.gov pets · CDC food safety · National Weather Service