Practice and Improve

1. Practice your family emergency plan

Review your meeting places, emergency contacts, and who will help children, older adults, and pets. Walk through what each person should do if the power goes out or you must leave home.

Practical tip: Try a short family drill and make sure everyone can find the printed plan.

2. Check and rotate food and water

Inspect containers for leaks or damage. Check food dates and packaging, use older food in normal meals, and replace it with fresh supplies.

Practical tip: Write a review date on your inventory. Follow the storage and replacement guidance for your water containers.

3. Test flashlights, radios, and chargers

Turn on each flashlight and lantern, check battery condition, test your weather radio, and recharge power banks. Confirm charging cables fit your devices.

Practical tip: Avoid storing damaged or leaking batteries. Keep charging equipment dry and follow manufacturer instructions.

4. Review first aid and medications

Check bandages, gloves, and other first-aid items; replace used or expired supplies. Confirm medication lists, emergency contacts, and any backup medical equipment are current.

Practical tip: Talk with your pharmacist or healthcare professional about appropriate medication backup supplies and storage.

5. Inspect home safety equipment

Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms according to manufacturer instructions. Check fire extinguishers, escape routes, and whether doors and windows open easily.

Practical tip: Never run generators or other fuel-burning devices inside a home or attached garage.

6. Update your communication and alert options

Confirm phone numbers and out-of-town contacts. Review official local emergency alert signups, and make sure each person knows where to get trusted updates.

Practical tip: Keep printed phone numbers in more than one place in case phones or internet access fail.

7. Adjust supplies for seasons and household changes

Add cold-weather items before winter, heat-safety supplies before summer, and update your plan when a family member, pet, address, school, or medical need changes.

Practical tip: Consider backup heating and cooling options that are safe for indoor use, and plan for local hazards.

8. Schedule your next review

Put a recurring reminder on your calendar to inspect supplies and practice the plan. A few minutes of upkeep keeps your preparations useful.

Practical tip: Try a quick monthly supply check and a fuller family review twice a year.

Your practice and review checklist

Check off each task as you complete it, then print a copy to keep with your family emergency plan.