The First 5 Things Every Household Should Prep
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Emergency preparedness can feel overwhelming. There are endless lists, expensive gear, and extreme scenarios that make many people think, “I’ll do this someday when I have more time, space, or money.”
The truth is, preparedness doesn’t start with a bunker or a year’s worth of food. It starts with a few practical basics that cover the most common emergencies most families will actually face.
If you’re new to preparedness, here are the first five things every household should prep—no matter your budget, home size, or experience level.
1. Water (Because You Can't Live Without It)
Water is always the first priority. You can survive days or weeks without food, but only a short time without water.
A good starting goal is one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. This covers drinking and minimal hygiene. The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends one gallon of water person per day for two weeks. If you can store more, even better. You will never regret having more water.
Simple ways to start:
- Store bottled water from the grocery store
- Refill and rotate sturdy water jugs
- Keep water in multiple locations (pantry, garage, under beds)
If storage space is limited, focus on some water now, not perfect water later. Even a few extra gallons puts you ahead of most households.
Check out this article to learn more about water prep and storage.
2. Food You Actually Eat
Emergency food doesn’t need to be fancy or freeze-dried. The best emergency food is food your family already knows how to prepare and enjoys eating.
Start with 3 days of shelf-stable meals that require little to no cooking. FEMA recommends building to at least a two week supply.
Good starter options include:
- Canned soups, chili, or stews
- Peanut butter and crackers
- Granola bars or protein bars
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Pasta and jarred sauce
As you build confidence, you can expand to longer-term food storage. But the key is to avoid buying food that will sit untouched because no one wants to eat it. You'll want to rotate these items so that they never expire. You eat the food that will expire first. First in, first out. That way you are not wasting money. You are eating everything you buy, you're just buying it a few weeks or months in advance.
Check out this article on how to integrate long term food storage into your everyday diet.
3. Light, Communication, and Power Basics
Most emergencies involve losing power—sometimes for hours, sometimes for days.
Being able to see, stay informed, and charge essential devices dramatically reduces stress and increases safety.
Start with:
- Flashlights or headlamps (with extra batteries)
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- A small power bank for phones
You don’t need a generator to begin. These small items are affordable, easy to store, and incredibly useful.
Here's an article on inexpensive power backup options.
4. A Basic First Aid Kit
Emergencies often come with injuries—many of them minor, but still important to treat.
A basic first aid kit should be easy to access and tailored to your household.
At minimum, include:
- Bandages in multiple sizes
- Gauze and medical tape
- Antiseptic wipes or spray
- Pain relievers
- Gloves
If anyone in your home has specific medical needs, medications, or allergies, make sure those are accounted for as well.
Preparedness isn’t just about surviving—it’s about reducing suffering when help may be delayed.
Check out this article on essential first aid and medical supplies.
5. Important Information and a Simple Plan
You can have all the supplies in the world, but if no one knows where they are or what to do, chaos follows.
This step costs almost nothing but makes a huge difference.
Start by writing down:
- Emergency contacts
- Medical information
- Insurance details
- Meeting locations (nearby and out of area)
Make sure everyone in your household knows:
- Where supplies are kept
- How to contact each other
- What to do if you’re not together when something happens
Preparedness is as much about clarity as it is about supplies.
Start Small. Start Now.
Preparedness isn’t an all-or-nothing project. You don’t need to do everything at once.
If you tackled just one of these five things this week, you’d already be more prepared than you were yesterday.
At Ready & Prepped, we believe preparedness should feel doable, practical, and empowering, not scary or overwhelming.
Start with the basics. Build as you go. And remember: the best emergency plan is the one you actually have.
Other Articles of Interest
How to Create an Emergency Plan
Emergency Prep: Where to Start
How to Create a Family Communication Plan