How to Be Prepared and Organized for Emergency Situations
Life can throw some curveballs, and being caught unprepared during an emergency is no one’s idea of fun. Whether it’s an evacuation, a shelter-in-place scenario, or any other unexpected event, a little preparation can go a long way in keeping your family safe and reducing stress. This blog will walk you through two key aspects of being emergency-ready: creating an organized space for physical supplies and having a plan that includes all the critical information you’ll need.
Pro tips on how to be prepared and organized for emergencies!
Create an Organized Emergency Supply Space
When an emergency strikes, you don’t want to be digging through cluttered closets looking for a flashlight that hasn’t been charged since 2010. Creating a centralized, well-organized emergency supply space ensures you can grab what you need at a moment’s notice without stress. Think of it as your home’s go-to “lifesaver station,” where every critical item is ready to use. Here’s how to set one up and what to include.
Designate a Dedicated Storage Area
Pick one easily accessible spot in your home to store your emergency supplies, like a hall closet, garage shelf, or under a bed. The key is to keep everything in one place so you’re not running around the house in a panic trying to locate scattered items. Use clear bins or labeled storage containers to keep everything organized and easy to find. Bonus points for color-coding—red for first aid, blue for food and water, and so on.
If space is tight, get creative! Use over-the-door organizers for smaller items like first aid supplies or hang hooks on walls for tools and flashlights. For larger families, consider a rolling cart that you can easily wheel to a safe spot or load into your car in case of an evacuation.
What to Include in Your Emergency Kit
Here’s a checklist to help you stock your emergency supply space with essentials. Make sure to customize this list for your family’s unique needs, like dietary restrictions or medical conditions:
Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days. Don’t forget water for pets! Store bottles or jugs in a cool, dry spot, and consider water purification tablets or a small filter for extended emergencies.
Non-Perishable Food: Stock up on canned goods, granola bars, and dried fruit. Don’t forget a manual can opener and utensils. If you have babies, include formula or baby food.
First Aid Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary prescription medications. Toss in some instant cold packs and scissors for added preparedness.
Flashlights and Batteries: Opt for a solar-powered or crank flashlight so you’re not reliant on batteries alone. Lanterns are great for lighting up larger spaces.
Blankets and Warm Clothing: Store thermal blankets or compact sleeping bags. Include gloves, socks, and hats to prepare for colder conditions.
Tools: A multi-tool, duct tape, sturdy gloves, and a whistle are small but mighty additions to your kit.
Sanitation Items: Trash bags, moist towelettes, hand sanitizer, and portable toilet supplies can make a world of difference during a long-term emergency.
Backup Power: Keep a fully charged power bank for phones and small electronics. A solar-powered charger is an excellent backup.
Copies of Important Documents: Include insurance papers, IDs, medical records, and contact information in a waterproof bag. More on this in the next section!
Keep It Portable with a “Go Bag”
In addition to your main emergency supply space, create a smaller, portable “go bag” for each family member. These should include a few days’ worth of supplies for quick evacuations. Think of it as a condensed version of your main kit, tailored to individual needs.
What to pack in each bag:
A change of clothes, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate gear.
Snacks and water bottles.
A flashlight and personal first aid items.
Small comforts for kids, like a favorite toy or book, to ease anxiety.
Copies of essential documents, stored on a USB drive or in a waterproof sleeve.
Store these bags in an easy-to-grab spot, like near your front door or in your car’s trunk.
Pro Tip: Maintain Your Supplies
Set a calendar reminder to review and refresh your emergency kit every six months. Check expiration dates on food and medication, test flashlights, and update clothing sizes or supplies as your family’s needs change. By maintaining your kit, you’ll always feel confident that your household is prepared.
With a little upfront organization, you’ll save yourself precious time and stress during emergencies. Start small and build your kit gradually if needed—it’s one of the best investments in peace of mind you can make.
Remember the 6 P's
In emergencies, stress can make even the simplest decisions feel overwhelming. That’s where the 6 P’s come in—a quick, easy-to-remember checklist that helps you focus on what matters most when time is short and adrenaline is running high:
People and Pets – Your loved ones (including furry family members!) and their supplies.
Papers – Important documents like passports, insurance policies, and medical records.
Prescriptions – Medications, eyeglasses, and other health essentials.
Photos – Irreplaceable keepsakes like family pictures or heirlooms.
Personal Computers – Hard drives, laptops, and devices with critical files.
Plastic – Credit cards, cash, and coins for emergency expenses.
Be Prepared with a Plan and Centralized Information
Even the most well-stocked emergency kit won’t help much if you’re scrambling to remember who to call, where to meet, or how to access critical documents. In emergencies, panic often leads to forgetfulness, so having a clear, organized plan is just as essential as physical supplies. With a little preparation, you can avoid last-minute chaos and ensure your family knows exactly what to do.
Create a Family Emergency Plan
The foundation of being prepared is having a plan that every member of your household understands. Sit down together and talk through potential scenarios, tailoring the plan to your family’s needs. Here are some key questions to address:
Evacuation: If we need to leave the house, where will we go? Identify at least two meeting points—one nearby for neighborhood emergencies and another further away for regional evacuations.
Communication: Who’s our out-of-town contact person? Pick someone reliable and located outside your immediate area to serve as a point of contact if local phone lines are down. Discuss how you’ll stay in touch if cell towers aren’t working—text messages or apps like Zello can sometimes get through when calls cannot.
Shelter in Place: Where in the house is the safest spot to hunker down during a storm, earthquake, or other emergency? This could be a basement, an interior room without windows, or a sturdy hallway.
Once you’ve answered these questions, write everything down in simple terms. Make a physical copy of your plan and post it in a visible spot, like your fridge or a family command center. Share it with babysitters, extended family, or anyone who might be in your home during an emergency.
Don’t forget to practice your plan regularly! Conduct evacuation drills so everyone knows the fastest routes out of the house. Familiarity breeds confidence, and these dry runs can help reduce panic in real emergencies.
THE “JUST IN CAsE” EMERGENCY BINDER
One of the simplest ways to stay organized during an emergency is to have all your important information in one centralized location. I’ve created a downloadable “Just in Case” Emergency Binder to make this process as easy as possible. This binder is a lifesaver for organizing essential documents and information your family may need to reference quickly.
WHAT’S IN THE BINDER:
Detailed Evacuation Plans with step-by-step checklists for 15-minute, 30-minute, 1-hour, and 2-hour warnings.
Comprehensive Home and Property Sections to organize insurance details, home inventories, and rental or mortgage info.
Shelter-in-Place Checklists tailored for severe weather, power outages, and other emergencies.
Document Tracker to keep copies of your most important papers, like IDs, insurance policies, and medical records.
…AND MORE!
How to Use the Binder
Download the PDF and print the pages to fill out with your family’s details. Use durable materials like sheet protectors, laminated pages, or a waterproof folder to keep everything safe from damage.
If you ever need to evacuate, grab the binder on your way out. In a shelter-in-place situation, it ensures you have everything you need at your fingertips. For example, knowing your insurance policy number can save precious time when filing a claim, or having a list of allergies can help emergency responders treat your family appropriately.
Keep It Updated
Set a reminder to review and update your binder at least once a year. Add new medical details, update contact information, and replace expired documents. Life changes quickly, and your binder should reflect your current circumstances.
By combining a clear family plan with a centralized emergency binder, you’ll feel more confident and prepared for any situation. It’s a simple but powerful way to protect your loved ones and reduce stress when the unexpected happens.
Emergencies are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. By organizing your supplies and creating a detailed plan, you’ll be ready to face whatever comes your way with confidence and calm. Take a little time this weekend to start setting up your emergency supply space and downloading the “Just in Case” Emergency Binder. Remember, a little preparation now can save you a whole lot of stress later. You’ve got this!