My main reason for being prepared is simple: I want to keep my family comfortable, warm, safe, and fed when the unexpected happens.
Living in Southern California, we're familiar with earthquakes and power shutoffs during high winds. Over the years, I've learned that keeping a few extra supplies on hand can make a big difference when our normal routines are interrupted.
I don't consider myself an extreme prepper. I simply believe that being prepared is another part of common-sense homemaking.
Today, I'm sharing some of the things we keep on hand and how our regular pantry habits help us prepare for emergencies.
1. Keeping Emergency Supplies Organized
We keep our main emergency supplies in our office/family room, where they're easy to access.
I think it's important to have a designated location for emergency equipment so you're not searching through closets and drawers when the power goes out.
Some of the supplies we keep include flashlights, emergency lighting, batteries, candles, lighters, and cell phone charging equipment.
While preparing for this video, I realized we only had one good lighter! I added a four-pack to my next Sam's Club order.
That's one of the benefits of reviewing your emergency supplies before you need them. You discover what's missing while you still have time to do something about it.
2. Water Storage Is a Priority
Water is one of the most important things we keep on hand.
We maintain at least 20 gallons of drinking water, and we also have a water filter.
Water is needed not only for drinking but also for preparing meals, personal hygiene, and caring for our pets.
A good starting point is storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days, with additional water when possible.
Remember that water filters vary in what they remove, so it's important to understand the limitations of the filter you own.
3. Cooking Without Electricity
Having a pantry full of food is wonderful, but we also need to think about how we'll prepare meals if the electricity goes out.
We have an emergency cooking stove and a Coleman camping stove, along with extra propane.
This gives us options for preparing meals outdoors during an extended outage.
Important safety reminder: Outdoor propane stoves, camping grills, and similar equipment should never be used inside a home or garage because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.
I also recommend keeping a manual can opener available. It's such a simple item, but it's easy to overlook!
4. Our Everyday Pantry Is Part of Our Emergency Plan
One of the biggest advantages of maintaining a well-stocked pantry is that we already have many foods that would be useful during an emergency.
Some of our regular pantry staples include:
- Spaghetti and jarred pasta sauce
- Rice and dried or canned beans
- Canned chicken
- Canned vegetables and fruit
- Homemade baking and pancake mixes
- Freeze-dried vegetables, meat, fruit, cheese, and sour cream
- Home-canned meals, including chicken and vegetables
I like having ingredients that can be used in several different meals.
Of course, some foods require cooking, water, or refrigeration after opening. That's why I also believe in keeping ready-to-eat foods available.
5. Homemade Pantry Mixes Make Meal Preparation Easier
If you've been following The Common Sense Grandma for a while, you know how much I enjoy making homemade pantry mixes.
I regularly prepare mixes for pancakes, cornbread, muffins, cakes, cookies, and seasonings.
These mixes save time because many of the dry ingredients are already measured and combined.
They're convenient for everyday cooking, but they can also be helpful during an emergency when you have a safe way to cook and the additional ingredients needed.
I've shared several of my homemade pantry mixes on YouTube, and you can find free printable recipes in my Free Printables Library.
6. First Aid and Essential Medications
Another important part of preparedness is maintaining basic first-aid supplies and commonly used over-the-counter medications.
We also try to stay ahead on essential prescription medications whenever possible.
During an emergency, pharmacies may be closed or difficult to reach, so having a reasonable supply of necessary medications can be very helpful.
It's also wise to maintain a current medication list and check with your pharmacist about storage requirements and refill options.
7. Staying Warm During a Winter Power Outage
We keep firewood available during the winter in case we need an alternative source of heat.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure it's properly maintained and safe to use.
Working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, warm blankets, and extra clothing are also important household supplies.
8. Don't Forget Your Pets
Our pets are part of the family, too!
We keep extra dog and cat food on hand so we don't have to worry about running out if we're unable to shop.
Remember to include additional water, medications if needed, and any necessary pet carriers or leashes in your emergency plans.
9. Know How Your Home Works
This is something I especially want to encourage women to learn.
Know where your household's main water shutoff is located. Know where the electrical panel is and how to shut off the power safely.
And especially, know where the natural gas shutoff is located and have the correct wrench available.
Always follow your utility providers' instructions. Gas should only be shut off when there's a reason to do so, such as suspected damage, a leak, or instructions from emergency officials. Once shut off, it must be restored by the gas utility or another qualified professional.
Knowing these things can help you respond more confidently during an emergency.
10. Important Documents and Emergency Cash
Another thing we keep is a small safe for important documents and some emergency cash.
Documents worth protecting include birth certificates, passports, vehicle titles, insurance information, and copies of important identification.
During an extended power outage, ATMs and electronic payment systems may not be working, so having some cash in small denominations can be useful.
Consider secure digital backups and a portable emergency document kit as well.
11. Preparedness Doesn't Have to Be Expensive
One of the things I want to emphasize is that you don't need to purchase everything at once.
Start with the supplies you already have.
Add a few extra pantry staples when you shop. Watch for sales on batteries, flashlights, and other necessities.
Buy foods your family actually eats, and rotate your supplies regularly.
Over time, these small steps can help you build a practical emergency preparedness system without putting unnecessary pressure on your household budget.
Download My Free Emergency Preparedness Checklist
To help you get started, I've created a free printable Emergency Preparedness Checklist.
It includes reminders for water, food, lighting, emergency cooking, medications, pet supplies, important documents, and household safety.
You can print it, walk around your house, and check off what you already have. Then make a plan to add anything you're missing.
Watch My Emergency Preparedness Video
In the video below, I'm sharing the actual supplies we keep in our home and explaining how we use them.
12. Have an Emergency Evacuation Plan
While most of my emergency preparedness focuses on keeping our household comfortable, warm, safe, and fed at home, there may be situations when we need to leave quickly.
It's a good idea to have a small grab-and-go bag with essential medications, important documents, water, snacks, flashlights, and phone chargers.
Don't forget to include supplies for your pets!
Make sure everyone in your household knows where to meet if you become separated, and have a plan for contacting family members.
Being prepared means thinking about both staying safely at home and knowing what to do if you need to leave.
And remember, you don't have to prepare for everything in one day. Start with what you have and build your supplies a little at a time.
Final Thoughts
Being prepared doesn't mean living in fear.
For me, it's simply about taking care of the people I love and doing what I can to keep our household comfortable, warm, safe, and fed.
You don't have to do everything perfectly, and you certainly don't have to do everything at once.
Start small, use what you have, and add to your supplies as you're able.
That's common-sense homemaking!
I'd love to hear from you: What's one emergency preparedness item you always keep on hand?
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