Emergency Preparedness - Big Cottonwood Stake

Emergency Response Plans

Figure out how much water you need to store for your family and how much water you currently have available in your home. (use table below)
Store at least 3 days’ worth of water for your family by purchasing a case of water bottles for every family member in your house. Place them under their bed.
Store at least one large water storage container — a blue barrel or another large container.
Have on way to filter water.
Have one way to purify water.
Figure out a “found water” source you can use in an emergency.
Learn how to turn off the water in your home.
Post instructions on your water heater for draining the water out for use.

Start purchasing something extra every time you go to the store this month.
Buy some food in bulk and watch for case-lot sales on cans.
Make sure to include some high-energy foods, like meats and fats, in your storage.
Remember condiments, spices, and treats.
Make a goal for when you will have 3 months’ worth of easy-to-use foods stored for your family.

Complete your Food Storage inventory to see what you have on hand, and what you need to store for your family.
Make time and a finance plan for how to complete your one-year storage of long-term foods.
Start with 3 months of long-term stored foods and start cooking with them occasionally. Especially grains and beans.
Store some Scotch Broth for your family.
Get a wheat grinder. It’s handy to have a hand grinder in case of no electricity.
Plan an ongoing inventory system for your stored foods.

Grow something. Anything. Sprout some seeds in a jar. Start some seeds in a pot on your patio or inside by a warm window. You need to learn that growing things is possible anywhere, anytime!
Buy some heirloom seeds for the things you would most like to grow. Store them somewhere cool.
Start preparing your soil by adding organic matter. Save your kitchen scraps.
Look into one way you could grow food in the winter.
Learn what Zone you live in and when you should plant in your area.

Prepare your everyday kits:
Every-day carry kit: These are items that will slip in a purse or bag easily wherever you go. It’s light and portable and will cover a lot of basic needs.
Get home kit: Fits in a duffel-type bag, and stays in your vehicle at all times. It’s for if your vehicle fails and need to walk home. What would you need to handle that situation? Those things are in the bag.
Car emergency kit: This stays in the vehicle at all times and contains the things you will need if your car has problems, or if you need to stay with the car for some time. Be prepared to change a tire in the rain.
72-hour kit: This bag is to sustain life and comfort for 3 days under conditions of evacuation from your home. Limit this to a backpack. In 3 days you will be hungry, cold, thirsty, sleepy, and need to use the restroom. What can you take in your backpack to deal with this?
Prepare your evacuation checklist with your family. Download a PDF version here.
Prepare your emergency binder with your vital documents in one place.

Learn how to shut off your utilities and teach your family how to do it. (Purchase necessary tools.)
Make sure your family plan includes shelter-in-place information.
Teach your family what to do if away from home.
Prepare a disaster/shelter-in-place kit for your home.
Prepare your home and secure its contents.
- Bolt or strap down top-heavy objects
- Check electrical connections and gas pipes
- Check home foundation and structure
- Locate potential fire hazards
- Install smoke, propane, gas, and carbon monoxide detectors
- Place heavy objects on lower shelves
- Store bottles and other breakables in lower cabinets
- Store essential items in waterproof containers
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
- Remove hazardous objects from sleeping areas
- Properly store flammable liquids and gases

Gather items for a family first aid kit. A smaller version can be put into 72-hour kits.
Get a larger first aid kit if someone in your home has medical training.
Learn about herbal and essential oil first aid items.
Learn basics about tooth care and preventing a dental emergency.