20 Five-Minute Preps You Can Do Today
Share
When it comes to emergency preparedness, most people think it requires hours of planning, expensive gear, and a huge stockpile of supplies. But the truth is, every step you take—no matter how small—adds up to better readiness. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Some of the most effective preps can be done in just five minutes or less.
Here are 20 simple things you can do today to be more prepared:
1. Add Emergency Contacts to Your Phone
Save your out-of-state emergency contact, local non-emergency police line, and poison control in your phone.
2. Write Contacts on Paper
Phones die. Keep a written list of family and emergency numbers in your wallet or emergency kit.
3. Store Extra Water Bottles
Toss a flat of bottled water in your closet, under your bed, or in your trunk.
4. Check Your Smoke and CO Detectors
Push the test button and replace batteries if needed. This one step saves lives. See this important article to determine if your CO detector is working the way you intend it to.
5. Toss a Flashlight in Every Room
Even a $5 flashlight in each bedroom makes a blackout far less stressful.
6. Set a Calendar Reminder
Pick a date every six months to check kits, rotate food, and swap batteries, and fuel.
7. Gather Spare Medications
Set aside a few extra pain relievers, allergy meds, or prescriptions if possible.
8. Start a Cash Stash
Pull out $20–$50 in small bills and hide it in your emergency kit. Check out this article on how much cash you should have on hand for emergencies.
9. Download Offline Maps
Apps like Google Maps allow you to download your local area—works without cell service.
10. Back Up Important Documents
Snap photos of IDs, insurance papers, and birth certificates; store them in a password-protected file.
11. Fill Your Gas Tank
A half tank is the new empty. Top off now while it’s easy, because you might not be able to later. Always keep your vehicles with at least 1/2 tank of gas in them. Learn about storing fuel for emergencies here.
12. Grab an Extra Phone Charger
Keep one in your car, bag, and emergency kit.
13. Pack a Quick Car Kit
Throw in a blanket, granola bars, water, and a flashlight. Done. Check out this article for more info on emergency car kits.
14. Label Household Shutoffs
Mark your gas, water, and electrical shutoffs with tape or a tag so anyone can find them fast.
Go the Extra Mile: Watch a Youtube video on how to shut your gas (or other utilities) off if you don't already know.
15. Charge All Devices Tonight
Phones, flashlights, battery banks—top them off regularly.
16. Stash a Manual Can Opener
Keep an extra one in your emergency kit. No electricity required.
17. Print a Family Emergency Plan
Even a one-page sheet showing where to meet and who to call is better than nothing.
18. Rotate One Pantry Item
Use up an older can of food and replace it with a new one. Easy rotation habit.
19. Learn One Neighbor’s Name
Preparedness is about community too. Introduce yourself—you may need each other one day.
20. Sign Up for Alerts
Register for local emergency notifications (like reverse 911 texts) in your county. You will most likely NOT get emergency alerts if you have not signed up for them.
Small Steps = Big Security
Preparedness doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These quick five-minute actions add up to real resilience. Do one a day, and in less than a month, you’ll be miles ahead of where you started.
👉 Start right now—pick just one from this list and do it today.
No fuss, no fluff, no fear.
Other Articles You May Be Interested In:
The Prepper's Shorcut to Being Ready in 24 Hours
Dollar Store Prepping: 20 Items Worth Buying
How to Start Prepping Without Feeling Overwhelmed
How to Avoid Panic Buying and Build a Smart Emergency Stockpile