Prepping 101: The ultimate guide to building a family emergency plan

• Emergency plans save lives. Being prepared reduces stress, improves communication and ensures faster evacuations during disasters like hurricanes, wildfires or power outages.
• Designate an out-of-state contact, store emergency numbers physically and set meeting points in case of separation.
• Build emergency supply kits and stock up on food, water, first aid and essential documents (IDs, insurance, medical records) in waterproof/fireproof storage. Include special items for kids, pets and family members with medical needs.
• Plan evacuation routes and practice drills quarterly. Know how to shut off utilities safely. Regularly update your plans and involve the family.
• Check expiration dates on supplies, refresh contacts and teach kids preparedness through age-appropriate tasks. Start small. Even basic preparations make a big difference.

When disaster strikes, whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, power outage, or unexpected crisis, families with a solid emergency plan are far more likely to stay safe, communicate effectively and recover quickly.

Yet, despite the increasing frequency of natural disasters, many families still don’t have a clear strategy in place.

The guide below will walk you through creating a comprehensive family emergency plan, covering everything from communication strategies to evacuation routes and essential supplies.

The goal? To ensure that your loved ones are prepared, not panicked, when an emergency hits. (h/t to PreparedSurvivalist.org)

Why every family needs an emergency plan

Recent disasters have proven that preparedness prevents injuries and saves lives.

Whether it’s a sudden evacuation, a prolonged power outage or a medical emergency, having a plan means:

• Less stress and confusion
• Better communication if separated
• Faster, safer evacuations
• Access to critical supplies (Related: 28 Underrated prepping items that could save your life in an emergency.)

A well-structured plan ensures everyone knows what to do, even kids.

Creating a family communication strategy

Establish emergency contacts so that when phone lines are down or cell towers are overloaded, you have backup ways to communicate.

Key steps:

• Designate an out-of-state contact, preferably someone unaffected by local disasters, to act as a central point for family check-ins.
• Create detailed emergency contact cards for each family member, especially for children, with phone numbers, addresses and meeting points.
• Program ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts in all phones.
• Store physical copies of important numbers in wallets, backpacks and emergency kits.

Set up meeting points so that if some family members are separated from the rest after disaster strikes, your prearranged meeting spots can prevent chaos.

• A meeting place near your home, such as a neighbor’s house or mailbox, for small-scale emergencies like fires.
• An out-of-neighborhood location, like the library or community center, is ideal for larger evacuations.

Building emergency supply kits

Prep an essential documentation portfolio to protect vital documents and for quick recovery after a disaster.

Recommended storage solutions:

• Fireproof and waterproof bags
• Lockable safes
• Offline password journals for important apps/websites

Documents to secure:

• Copies of IDs, passports and birth certificates
• Insurance policies and medical records
• Property deeds or lease agreements
• Prescription lists and medical information

Make sure you have basic emergency supplies in your survival kit so you can sustain your family for at least 72 hours.

Water and food:

• Bottled water (one gallon or more per person, per day)
• Canned fruits, vegetables and meat
• Food buckets (rice, grains)
• LifeStraw Personal Water Filter (can filter 1,000 gallons of water)
• Snacks

Supplies for babies/younger children:

• Baby food and cereal (for babies transitioning to solid food)
• Bottled water
• Formula and bottles (for formula-feeding babies)
• Manual pump and bottles (for breastfeeding babies)
• Prune juice (a natural remedy for constipation)

Prepare items for emergency communication and lighting so you can get in touch with family members who are away from home, or for when the power goes out.

• An emergency crank radio (must be able to receive NOAA alerts, ideally solar-powered)
• LED headlamps ( for hands-free lighting)
• Portable charger

First aid kit and tools:

• First aid kit with basic supplies
• Multitool
• A survival knife
• Firestarting kit

Finalizing evacuation plans

While preparing your supplies, you can also work on home evacuation procedures for when you need to bug out.

• Assign roles, such as who helps the kids, pets or elderly family members get ready for evacuation.
• Map out primary and secondary escape routes from every room.
• Practice drills quarterly so everyone knows what to do when it’s time to bug out.
• Identify multiple exit routes from your neighborhood.
• Prepare go-bags or bug-out bags with essentials for each family member.
• Know how to safely shut off utilities before evacuating (gas, water and electricity).

Special considerations

These special considerations are important if you have a family member with certain health issues or disabilities, or pets.

Medical needs and disabilities: 

• Backup power for essential medical devices
• Extra medication (rotate the items in your stockpile to avoid expiration)
• Mobility-friendly evacuation routes

Emergency planning for pets

Pets are family too, so include them in your emergency plan:

• Emergency pet kits (food, treats, water, leash, toys and a carrier)
• Pet-friendly shelters (Research your options in advance.)
• Vet records (Keep copies in your document bag.)

Practice and maintenance

Practice drills and update your emergency plans to avoid any delays or errors when facing emergencies.

Practice drills and updates

• Run evacuation drills every three months. Try to make it a game for kids, but teach them that things should be taken seriously when facing an actual emergency scenario.
• Regularly check expiration dates on food, water and meds twice a year. Rotate supplies as needed
• Update all contacts and plans as needed.

When prepping with kids, it’s crucial to teach them about preparedness.

• Use age-appropriate language and avoid fear while focusing on safety.
• Let them participate by allowing kids to help pack emergency kits. This will also help younger kids remember where things are.

Additional resources and tools

These additional items are worth considering as you prep for different emergencies:

Technology for emergencies: 

• A satellite communicator
• Portable power station (solar backup power)
• Emergency alert apps (FEMA, Red Cross, etc.)

Community integration:

• Connect with local emergency response teams.
• Share your plans with trusted neighbors and fellow preppers.
• Know your town’s evacuation routes and shelters.

A family emergency plan isn’t about instilling fear in your family, it’s about confidence. By taking these steps now, you’re ensuring that if disaster strikes, your family will know exactly what to do and where to go.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that the best time to prepare was yesterday, but the second-best time is today. Start small, stay consistent and give your family the gift of readiness.

Visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more prepping products for your survival stockpile.

Watch this clip about Bucket Food and why they are great for emergency preparedness.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

PreparedSurvivalist.org

TacticalBabyGear.com

Brighteon.com