Be Ready, Stay Safe: Building Your Family’s Emergency Kit and Home Plan
July 6, 2026Categories: Safety and Injury Prevention
Did you know that a house fire is reported every 88 seconds in the United States? That’s almost 960 fires/day, with cooking causing 50% of these fires. In just 150 seconds (or the time it takes to heat a Hot Pocket), a small candle flame can quickly grow into a massive fire. Being prepared for emergencies can keep your family calm and safe. Use these tips below to build family emergency kit and home plan!
Step 1: Make a Family Emergency Kit
An emergency kit has the things your family needs if you have to stay home without power or leave quickly. Pack enough supplies to last at least 3 days. Keep it in an easy-to-grab bag/backpack. Each family member should have their own separate bag with their essentials. Store the kit in a place that is easily accessible and near an exit. Check it twice a year to replace old food or batteries.
Things to include:
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day. Don’t forget to pack water for pets!
- Food: Non-perishable items like canned beans, tuna, crackers and fruit cups.
- Medications: Prescription medications, inhalers or other special medicines.
- First Aid Kit: Bandages, antibiotic ointment, pain medicine, tweezers and gloves.
- Flashlight & Batteries: Batteries or a hand-crank flashlight can come in handy if the power goes out.
- Important Papers: Keep copies of ID cards, birth certificates, passports, insurance and contact numbers in a water-repellant Ziploc bag
- Thick Clothes & Blankets: Stay warm at night and in the winter.
- Personal Items: Toothbrushes, soap, baby wipes, diapers and feminine products.
- Phone Chargers or Power Bank: A charged phone can help you stay updated.
- Comfort Items: Small toys, coloring books or stuffed animals can help children feel safe.
Nonessential but helpful item: Attaching an Airtag or location tracker on your children’s backpacks or on your pet’s collar can help quickly locate them during an emergency.
Step 2: Make a Home Safety and Evacuation Plan
Having a specific plan can help everyone know what to do. Write or draw your evacuation plan and keep it posted somewhere visible, like the fridge. Practice your plan so kids remember it and make sure it has these six items.
- Choose a meeting place outside: A central meeting place should be identified and known by all family members. Choose something easily identifiable like the mailbox or driveway.
- Know your exits: Identify at least two ways out of each room — a door and a window. Talk with your kids about how to safely escape through each exit.
- Learn to turn off utilities: If safe, learn how to turn off gas, water, and power. Only adults should do this.
- Keep emergency numbers handy: Post phone numbers near the fridge or save them in your cell phone. Include family, neighbors and emergency services. Memorizing important phone numbers with your kids can also be helpful.
- Plan for pets: Have leashes, carriers and food packed together.
- Stay informed: Sign up for local alerts (like CAL FIRE or your county’s emergency text system) to get quick updates on fires or evacuations.
Other Helpful Tips:
- Don’t go through an exit if you see smoke (Be aware of where smoke is coming from).
- Remember, metal burns! Hold the back of your hand ~1 inch away from metal objects (like doorknobs) to make sure they’re not too hot to touch.
Step 3: Practice Your Plan
Practice a “family drill” at least once or twice a year and have everyone act out the plan. This helps kids stay calm if it really happens.
Step 4: Talk About It
Let your children ask questions. Remind them that being ready doesn’t mean being scared; it’s about being smart and safe. Take time this weekend to start your kit and write down your plan. You’ll feel more confident knowing your family is ready for whatever comes.
