Why Every Family Needs an Emergency, Safety & Medical Preparedness Checklist
In emergencies, panic can set in, and it becomes difficult to think clearly or act quickly. That’s why every household should have a Family Emergency, Safety, and Medical Preparedness Checklist. It’s not just a piece of paper—it’s peace of mind.
Why Every Family Needs an Emergency, Safety & Medical Preparedness Checklist
Downloadable Family Emergency, Safety & Medical Preparedness Checklist:
Emergencies can strike when we least expect them—whether it's a power outage, wildfire, earthquake, medical crisis, or severe weather. In those moments, panic can set in, and it becomes difficult to think clearly or act quickly. That’s why every household should have a Family Emergency, Safety, and Medical Preparedness Checklist. It’s not just a piece of paper—it’s peace of mind.
An emergency checklist serves as a roadmap during chaos. It helps families gather the essentials ahead of time, from water and food supplies to first aid items and communication plans. By preparing in advance, you reduce the stress and confusion of last-minute scrambling and ensure that everyone knows what to do and where to go.
Having medical supplies organized by need—basic, intermediate, and advanced—ensures that your family can handle everything from minor scrapes to more serious injuries until professional help arrives. Items like tourniquets, chest seals, medications, and allergy treatments can truly be lifesavers.
Emergency preparedness isn’t just about gear—it’s about readiness. Checklists remind us to teach our kids how to call 911, create a fire escape plan, store documents safely, and keep emergency contacts accessible. It’s also a way to bring your family together around a shared goal: staying safe.
Prepared families are calm families. And calm saves lives.
Downloadable Family Emergency, Safety & Medical Preparedness Checklist:
Home Safety Preparedness
Install & test smoke detectors on each floor - First Alert Smoke & Carbon Monoxide detector - Buy on Amazon
Install & test carbon monoxide detectors - First Alert Smoke & Carbon Monoxide detector - Buy on Amazon
Keep fire extinguishers in key areas (kitchen, garage, basement) - Kidde Multipurpose Fire Extinguisher - Buy on Amazon
Fire Suppression Blanket (kitchen, backyard grill) - Kanhiro Fire Suppression Blanket - Buy on Amazon
Secure heavy furniture and TVs to walls
Store flashlights & extra batteries in accessible locations
Create and practice a fire escape plan
Post emergency contact numbers near phones
Emergency Kit (72-Hour Kit)
1 gallon of water per person per day (3-day supply)
Water Filtration - LifeStraw Personal Water Filter - Buy on Amazon
Non-perishable food (canned goods, granola, dried fruit)
Manual can opener
Flashlights, LED lanterns or Headlamps
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio - Midland Emergency Radio - Buy on Amazon
Extra batteries
Portable Power Source - Jackery Portable Power Station - Buy on Amazon
First-aid kit -Recommend to make your own kit with trusted products, see below for a comprehensive list of first aid kit items.
Local maps
Multipurpose tool (knife, pliers, etc.)
Emergency whistle - Noopel Three Tubes Survival Whistles 2 Pack - Buy on Amazon
Cash in small bills
Cell phone chargers and backup battery packs
Emergency Blanket & Warm Gear - Mylar Emergency Blankets - Buy on Amazon
Wet Wipes
Go Bag / Evacuation Bag
Large Backpack double strapped - 5.11 Tactical Backpack - Buy on Amazon
Change of clothes (weather-appropriate)
Sturdy shoes
Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, soap, wipes)
Copies of important documents (ID, insurance, birth certificates)- Fireproof/Waterproof Document Bag - Buy on Amazon
Family photo (in case of separation)
List of medications and allergies
Extra house and car keys
Comfort items for children (toy, blanket)
Medical Preparedness
Keep an up-to-date list of medications for each family member
Extra supply of critical prescription medications
EpiPen or inhalers (if prescribed)
Thermometer & fever-reducing medications
Basic first aid reference guide
Medical ID bracelets (if applicable)
Ice packs & heat packs
Contact list of doctors, dentists, and preferred hospitals
Organize a First Aid Kit based on your Family's needs. Recommended Levels:
Basic First Aid Kit:
Acetaminophen / Tylenol
Ibuprofen / Advil
Diphenhydramine / Benadryl
Band-aids (10x, various sizes)
Rolled gauze, standard 4.5” x 4 yards
Gauze pads, 4” x 4” (6x)
Saline eye drops
Loperamide / Imodium
Silk medical tape roll, 1” wide
Tweezers
Gloves (2 pairs)
Emergency blanket (2x)
Intermediate First Aid Kit:
(Add-ons to basic first aid kit)
White petroleum jelly / Vaseline in small container
Butterfly bandages, 0.5″ x 2.75″ (16x)
Pressure dressing
Z-fold gauze, standard 4.5” x 4 yards
Coban roll, standard 2” x 5 yards
Moleskin, 5” x 2” strip
Plastic cling wrap, 2” wide roll
Cravat / triangular bandage, 45” x 45” x 63”
ACE bandage, standard 4” x 5 yards
Trauma shears
Safety pins (3x, various sizes)
Irrigation syringe, 20cc with an 18-gauge tip
Needle & thread stored in isopropyl alcohol (2x needle/thread, 1x small container)
Advanced First Aid Kit:
(Add-ons to basic and intermediate first aid kit)
Tourniquet
Chest seals (1 pair)
Aluminum splint, 36”
Abdominal pad, 5” x 9” (2x)
Nasopharyngeal airway, 28 French
Aspirin / Bayer
Pepto-Bismol pills
Caffeine pills
Hydrocortisone cream
Miconazole
Doxycycline and/or Bactrim antibiotics
Family Planning & Communication
Choose an emergency contact outside your area
Share contact info with all household members
Identify two meeting places (one nearby, one farther away)
Practice your evacuation plan (car, walking, public transit)
Teach kids how to dial 911 and what to say
Store emergency contacts in all phones
Vehicle Preparedness
Keep at least ½ tank of gas in the car
Jumper cables - TOPDC 4 gauge 20 Ft jumper cables - Buy on Amazon
Car phone charger
Blankets - Mylar Emergency Blankets - Buy on Amazon
Water, and snacks
Flashlight
Warning Triangles - Everlit Survival Roadside Emergency Kit - Buy on Amazon
Tire repair kit or spare tire with tools
First aid kit in vehicle - 400 Piece First Aid Kit - Buy on Amazon