Home Emergency Preparedness: The Ultimate Checklist

When a pipe bursts at 2 AM or the power goes out during a storm, you don’t want to be searching for information. This guide helps you prepare before emergencies happen.

Know Your Shutoffs

The most important emergency knowledge is how to turn things off.

Water Main

Location: Usually in basement, crawl space, garage, or near water heater

How to use:

• Turn clockwise to close (righty-tighty)
• Some homes have a secondary shutoff at the street

When to use:

• Burst pipes
• Major leaks
• Before extended vacations

Pro tip: Test it now—valves can stick if not operated regularly.

Gas Shutoff

Location: At the gas meter (outside)

How to use:

• Requires a wrench
• Turn valve perpendicular to pipe

When to use:

• ONLY if you smell gas
• Evacuate first, then shut off
• Call gas company—only they should turn it back on

Electrical Panel

Location: Garage, basement, utility room, or outside

How to use:

• Flip individual breakers or main breaker
• Know which breakers control what

When to use:

• Electrical emergencies
• Before working on any electrical
• To reset tripped breakers

HVAC Shutoff

Location: Near the furnace/air handler

How to use:

• Usually a switch or breaker

When to use:

• Strange smells from system
• Unusual sounds
• Before any HVAC service

Document Everything

Take photos of all shutoff locations and store them in Dib or your preferred app. Everyone in your household should know where to find this information.

Build an Emergency Kit

Prepare supplies for at least 72 hours:

Water & Food

• 1 gallon of water per person per day (3-day minimum)
• Non-perishable food (canned goods, energy bars)
• Manual can opener
• Pet food if applicable
• Infant supplies if applicable

Light & Power

• Flashlights (multiple, with fresh batteries)
• Extra batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Portable phone chargers (keep charged)
• Matches or lighters in waterproof container

Safety & Health

• First aid kit
• Prescription medications (7-day supply)
• Basic over-the-counter medications
• Face masks
• Work gloves

Documents & Money

• Copies of important documents (or digital backup)
• Cash in small bills (ATMs may not work)
• Emergency contact list (printed)
• Insurance policy information

Comfort & Shelter

• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Change of clothes for each person
• Rain gear
• Basic tools (wrench, pliers, screwdriver)

Emergency Contacts

Keep these accessible to all household members:

• Emergency: 911
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• Your utilities: Gas, electric, water company numbers
• Insurance: 24-hour claims line
• Trusted neighbor: For coordination
• Out-of-area contact: Phone lines may be busy locally
• Service providers: Plumber, electrician, HVAC for non-emergencies

Evacuation Planning

1. Know your exits — Every room should have two ways out
2. Designate meeting points — One near home, one outside neighborhood
3. Plan multiple routes — Roads may be blocked
4. Practice — Walk through the plan with your family
5. Consider pets — Know which shelters accept animals
6. Prepare go-bags — Pre-packed bags you can grab quickly

Seasonal Considerations

Winter Emergencies

• Know how to prevent frozen pipes
• Have emergency heating options
• Keep extra food (storms prevent shopping)
• Maintain half-full gas tank minimum

Summer Emergencies

• Plan for power outages (food safety, cooling)
• Know severe weather shelter locations
• Stay hydrated

Regional Concerns

• Hurricane zones: Know your evacuation route and zone
• Earthquake areas: Secure heavy items, know safety procedures
• Tornado alley: Identify shelter spots in your home
• Flood-prone areas: Know your flood zone, consider insurance

Technology Helps

Apps like Dib have dedicated emergency features:

• Store shutoff locations with photos
• Keep emergency contacts accessible
• Document your home for insurance
• Access information even when stressed

The key is having information ready BEFORE you need it.

Your Action Plan

1. This week: Locate and label all shutoffs
2. This month: Build your emergency kit
3. Quarterly: Review and update supplies
4. Annually: Practice evacuation plan with household

Don’t wait until disaster strikes. A few hours of preparation now could save lives—and a lot of stress—later.