Disaster Preparedness-Where to Start

We get it. The uncertainty of the world can leave you nervous about your family's safety and well-being. Take a deep breath and let's start at the beginning. Step by step, you can create security for your family's future. Plan to spend an hour a week and by the end of the year, you'll have made real progress. Here we go.

Margaret Rose

9/21/20252 min read

Start Here: A Calm, Practical Guide to Protecting Your Family

We get it. The world feels shaky sometimes. When headlines pile up, it’s easy to worry about your family’s safety and well-being. Take a breath with me. We’re going to start at the beginning and put a simple plan in place—one small step at a time. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what to do this week (and then this month!) to create real security for your family’s future. Here we go.

The Mindset Shift: Prepared, Not Panicked

Preparedness isn’t stockpiling fear—it’s stacking confidence. Think of this like home insurance for everyday disruptions (storms, power outages, job loss, supply hiccups). We’re building layers of resilience so that when something bumps the road, your family barely feels it.

Week 1: Cover the First 72 Hours

If you do only one thing, do this. Aim for three days of basics for each person.

Water

Minimum: 1 gallon per person per day (for drinking & light sanitation).
Bonus points: add electrolyte packets.

Food

Shelf-stable and easy: stock up on canned soups, beans, tuna, nut butters, oatmeal cups, instant rice, shelf-stable milk, protein bars.
Choose foods you already eat—rotate them into regular meals.

Light & Power

Two light sources per household (flashlight + headlamp) and spare batteries.
A small power bank charged and stored with cables.

Warmth & Comfort

Blanket per person, or emergency mylar blankets.
A small stash of shelf-stable comfort items (tea, chocolate, instant coffee).

Sanitation

Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, heavy-duty trash bags, basic toiletries.

Put these in one easy-to-reach spot (a closet or under-bed bins). Label it. Done.

Checklist

We've put together a list of items that can help you get started below. Take a deep breath. You don't need to do it all at once. Consider what you can afford to set aside each month for your family's safety and build slowly.

Water storage https://amzn.to/3VsCb69
Dried Soup Mix https://amzn.to/46u7IJZ
Flashlights https://amzn.to/46TTUsH
Headlamps https://amzn.to/4nKRJyk
Note: I frequently recommend products that have helped our family in our own preparation and as an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases.