Know your shutoffs before you need them
The single highest-value prep is free: locate and label your water, gas, and electric shutoffs. In a leak or a gas smell, seconds matter — fumbling for a valve costs them.
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Tips of the Week
Practical, free preparedness tips you can act on today. Small steps compound — each one makes your household a little more ready.
Keep fridge and freezer closed during an outage
A closed refrigerator keeps food safely cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer holds for roughly 48 hours (USDA). Every quick look cuts that window, so decide what you need before you open the door.
Read the guideStore water you'll actually rotate
Labeled, dated containers in a cool dark spot beat a forgotten jugon a shelf. A six-month rotation reminder keeps stored water fresh instead of an expensive ornament.
Read the guideBuild your pantry from what you eat
Shelf-stable versions of meals your household already eats rotate naturally. A pantry of unfamiliar survival food often expires untouched — comfort foods matter in a stressful week.
Read the guidePrint a contact card, not just an app
Phones die. A wallet-sized card with two numbers and an out-of-area check-in contact survives a dead battery and works when local lines are overloaded.
Read the guideDownload offline maps before the signal disappears
Save maps for your home area, your commute, and any evacuation routes. Cell coverage gaps are common exactly where evacuations happen — a paper map is the backup that never needs a charge.
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