Be prepared¶
Emergency numbers differ by country. This page uses 911, the number for the United States and Canada. Many other countries use 112, 999, or another number. Find the number for your country.
You cannot choose when an emergency happens, but you can choose how ready you are. A little time now means less stress, and better choices, when something goes wrong.
If this is happening right now¶
Preparing is for before. If you are in an emergency now, call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom) and use the guide that matches what is happening. Start from the home page or the emergency numbers page.
Where to start¶
Emergency kit¶
A basic kit lets you manage for several days if the power, water, or roads fail. We list what to pack, how much water to store, and how to build a go bag you can grab in under a minute.
Family plan¶
A plan answers the questions that are hard to answer in a crisis: who to call, where to meet, and who will help children, older adults, and pets. It takes about an hour to make.
First aid kit checklist¶
What to pack in a home first aid kit, essential supplies, how to store medical items safely, and checking expiration dates.
Car emergency kit checklist¶
Essential items to keep in your vehicle for breakdown, bad weather, or staying safe on remote roads.
Pets in emergencies¶
How to build a pet emergency kit, pet-friendly evacuation planning, identification, and keeping animals safe in disasters.
Disabilities and medical needs¶
Emergency planning for people with mobility impairments, medical devices, power dependencies, or sensory needs.
Generator safety¶
How to operate portable generators safely: outdoor placement rules, transfer switches, carbon monoxide detectors, and refueling safety.
Water safety and boil notices¶
What to do during a boil water advisory: boiling rules, disinfecting water, dishwashing safety, and safe storage.
Go bag evacuation pack¶
How to build a 72-hour go bag for fast evacuation: essential supplies, document protection, medical items, and packing tips.
Talking to kids in emergencies¶
How to talk to children about emergencies, reduce fear, practice emergency drills, and keep kids safe during crises.
Older adults emergency planning¶
Emergency planning for seniors and older adults: medication safety, power dependency, mobility support, and caregiver coordination.
Emergency food gardening and seed saving¶
How to cultivate fast-yielding crops, container garden in small spaces, save seeds, and maintain emergency food production during crises.
Temperature-sensitive medications during power outages¶
How to protect insulin, biologics, vaccines, and refrigerated medications during power outages: cooling methods, stability limits, and pharmacist triage.
Emergency contact card generator¶
Create, customize, and print a wallet-sized emergency medical and ICE contact card 100 percent offline in your web browser.
Three habits that help¶
- Learn the emergency number where you live, and save it with your local emergency office in your phone.
- Sign up for official alerts from your national weather service or disaster agency.
- Learn first aid and CPR from a Red Cross society or a similar provider. See first aid.
Prepare for the hazards near you¶
Different places face different risks. Check with your local emergency office to learn what applies to you, then read the matching guide.
- Earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and tornadoes
- Hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones on our sister site