Emergency preparedness is having the supplies, plans, and skills to get through a disruption, like a storm, extended power outage, or evacuation, without depending on outside help right away. It starts with the basics every household relies on: water, food, light, power, first aid, and a way to get information. A written plan for where to go and how to reach family completes it, since supplies only help if everyone knows where they are and how to use them.

Ready.gov's recommended basic kit includes water, a several-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand crank radio with NOAA Weather Radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle, a dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, moist towelettes and garbage bags, a wrench or pliers, a manual can opener, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. From there, add items specific to your household, such as prescription medications, pet supplies, and copies of important documents.

The CDC recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day, for a minimum of three days, and a two-week supply if possible. That gallon covers both drinking and basic sanitation, and more is needed for pets, people who are pregnant or sick, and anyone living in a hot climate. Water you bottle yourself should be replaced every six months, while commercially packaged emergency drinking water can be kept until its printed expiration date.

Boiling is the most reliable method: bring clear water to a rolling boil for one minute, or three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet. When boiling isn't possible, unscented household bleach can disinfect water, at 8 drops per gallon for bleach with 5 to 9 percent sodium hypochlorite, followed by at least 30 minutes of standing time. Portable filters remove bacteria and parasites but not viruses, so the CDC recommends adding a chemical disinfectant such as chlorine after filtering.

Shelf life depends on how the food is processed and packaged. Freeze-dried and dehydrated meals sealed in pouches or buckets are commonly rated for up to 25 years, while canned and boxed foods from the grocery store carry much shorter dates and need regular rotation. Every type lasts longest stored in a cool, dry, dark place, since heat and moisture shorten shelf life. Browse long-term emergency food by type, from full supply kits to bar rations.

A home emergency kit is built for sheltering in place, so it can be large and heavy: water by the case, weeks of food, and power and lighting for the house. A bug out bag is built for leaving, packed into a single bag that one person can carry, usually with about 72 hours of food, water treatment, shelter, and first aid. Most preparedness plans include both, plus a smaller kit kept in the vehicle.

Ready.gov recommends replacing expired items as needed and reassessing your kit every year as your household's needs change. Home-bottled water should be replaced every six months, and batteries, flashlights, and power stations should be tested and recharged on a regular schedule. Setting a recurring date, such as the start of hurricane season or the change to daylight saving time, keeps rotation from being forgotten.