How to Prepare a Household for War-Related Disruptions
A calm, practical guide to the disruptions a distant war can cause at home: power, fuel, supplies and information. What to do first, and what to skip.
Key Takeaways
- 1This guide plans for disruption at home: outages, shortages, price rises and bad information.
- 2Ready.gov's basic kit covers most of it: water, food, a radio, a flashlight and first aid, plus your medicine.
- 3Plan how your family reaches each other, and keep some cash and copies of key documents.
- 4Generators, camp stoves and grills belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.
- 5If officials warn of a nuclear attack: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned.
News about war makes people ask what they should actually do at home. We found no separate US agency war checklist. Agency advice is an all-hazards plan, because the things that could affect your household, such as losing power, finding stores closed or being unable to reach family, are the same as in other emergencies. This guide puts that advice in order, with links to the sources.
What to plan for
Ready.gov says an extended power outage may disrupt communications, water and transportation, close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs and banks, cause food spoilage and water contamination, and prevent use of medical devices. That is a useful list to plan against. We make no prediction about any conflict.
In order: what to do first
- Water. Store at least one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
- Food. Keep at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food and a manual can opener. Buy what you already eat, and rotate it.
- Information. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, plus several ways to receive alerts.
- Light and first aid. Flashlights for every household member, extra batteries and a first aid kit.
- Medicine. Organize prescriptions and talk to your medical provider about an outage plan for powered devices and refrigerated medicines.
- Documents and cash. Ready.gov suggests cash and copies of insurance policies, identification and bank records, stored electronically or in a waterproof container.
- A family plan. Decide where to meet if you cannot meet at home, and pick an out-of-state contact. Learn school, work and care-facility plans.
- Power, if you depend on it. List what you need electricity for, and plan batteries or a power bank first. Compare portable power stations if you need more.
See the full kit checklist or print the 72-hour checklist.
Safety when the power is out
- Ready.gov says to use a generator only outdoors. Generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.
- Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup on every level.
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours.
If there is a warning of attack
FEMA guidance says a warning of a nuclear-armed ballistic missile may leave only 15 to 30 minutes before detonation, and that seeking shelter before a detonation can significantly reduce blast, heat and radiation effects. Do not try to drive away. Go to a basement or the center of a large building, and stay there. Read what families should know and how to find adequate shelter.
What to skip
- Panic buying. Build your kit over time, starting with the list above.
- Rumors. In an emergency, rely on officials and official broadcasts rather than social media posts.
- Specialist gear. Hazmat suits and gas masks are not on the Ready.gov kit list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to Buy
We may earn a commission when you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps pay for the site.
Water filters, including any listed here: do not rely on them for radiation. FEMA says water filters do not get rid of radiation. Follow that over any seller's claim. Do not rely on them alone for germs either: CDC says portable filters do not remove all germs, and to add a disinfectant after filtering. SafeHeit has not tested any product listed here.
