Getting Organized for Emergency Preparedness

As a professional organizer, it probably doesn’t surprise you that I like to be prepared! I like knowing what to expect and planning ahead. But what about the unexpected? How can you prepare for the unknown? That’s what emergency preparedness is all about. Since I’ve lived my entire life in the high-fire areas of California, I’ve become a bit of an expert on the subject.

September is National Preparedness Month, and while we all know it’s a good idea to prepare for potential disaster, it’s a pretty overwhelming concept.

It may feel daunting, but like so much else, getting started is often the hardest part. So, let’s begin!

Understand Your Risks

Before you can make a plan or create an emergency kit, it’s important to identify the threats in your region so you can prepare accordingly. While living in Southern California, I have experienced quite a number of unexpected fires, earthquakes, and floods. Besides natural disaster emergencies, there are other potential risks to consider. Awareness is the first step!

Make A Plan

After you’ve assessed what kind of emergencies you should prepare for, it’s time to make an emergency plan. Your plan should include:

• Meeting Places: Designate two meeting places where your family can regroup if separated. One should be outside your home, like a neighbor’s house, and the other should be outside your neighborhood, such as a local school or church.
• Emergency Contacts: Make a list of phone numbers for family members, friends, and emergency services. Save each number on cell phones, but don’t forget to keep paper copies in easy-to-access places like your children’s backpacks and your car.
• Evacuation Plan:  Identify where you would go if asked to evacuate. A hotel? A relative or family friend’s home? Nearby shelters and safe zones? It depends on the emergency, so having a few options is always a good idea.

Quick Tip: Talk About Your Plan

Creating a plan is great, but discussing it with your family is often overlooked. Remember to sit down and get everyone on the same page. Knowing a plan is in place gives my family and me reassurance and security.

Create an Emergency Kit

A huge part of emergency preparedness is having the right supplies gathered for your emergency kit. It’s important to distinguish between supplies you may need for sheltering in place at home versus a smaller kit (aka “Go Bag”) to grab if you need to evacuate.

Essentials for a Basic Kit at Home

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days)
• Non-perishable food for several days
• Extra cell phone charger
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• At least two weeks of prescription medicines for each family member
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps

Additional Items to Consider

• Eyeglasses or extra contact lenses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food, water, and supplies for your pet
• Important family documents in a portable waterproof container
• Cash and change
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, and hand sanitizer
• Non-prescription medication
• Mess kits, Paper cups, plates and disposable utensils, paper towels
• Activities for children
• Paper and pencil

Creating a Go Bag

If you have to leave your home quickly, it’s important to have a smaller version of your emergency kit to grab and go.

You’ll include most things on the essentials list, just on a smaller scale. You won’t have room for fifteen gallons of water, but having a few bottles or water purification tablets is a must. Comb through the lists and decide what to keep in your Go Bag.

In addition to having essential documents in your GoBag, why not be extra and scan all your documents into a digital vault, such as Trustworthy. Contact me if you want to learn more about this amazing tool.

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Once you make a disaster plan and create your emergency kit, it’s important to check it every 6-12 months. You may need to rotate food, update contact information, or replace spare clothing for growing children. That’s why every September is a perfect time to revisit your emergency plan. After you’ve created the plan, simple maintenance will help you stay prepared.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to put all this planning and organizing into action, but if you do — won’t it feel great to be prepared? Being organized for emergencies involves more than just packing a kit; it’s about understanding risks, having a plan, and ensuring you’re ready to handle the unexpected.

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Support and Resources

Red Cross resources: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies.html

Ready.gov resources: https://www.ready.gov/

Materials I reviewed but didn’t directly quote or reference:

https://www.ready.gov/kit

Reed Cross article “How to Prepare for Emergencies: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html

Red Cross article “Survival Kit Supplies”: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

Red Cross article “Make a Plan”: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan.html