National Preparedness Month

Prepared Today. Ready for Tomorrow.

2026 Theme: America Stands Ready

Emergencies don't always come with much warning. Severe weather, power outages, fires, and other unexpected events can disrupt everyday life quickly. National Preparedness Month is a good reminder that taking a few simple steps now can help you and your family feel more prepared when something happens.

This year's theme, America Stands Ready, encourages everyone to take an active role in preparing their homes, families, and communities.

• Make a Plan - Talk with your household about what you would do during an emergency. Decide where you would go if you needed to leave home, how you would contact one another, and don't forget to include pets in your plan. Know where you’ll go and become familiar with evacuation routes before an emergency happens.

• Check Your Emergency Kit - Make sure your household has basic supplies available in case you need to stay home or leave quickly during an emergency. Check your kit regularly and replace expired items. Remember to consider medications, pets, and other needs that are specific to your household.

• Protect What Matters - Review your insurance coverage so you understand what is—and isn't—covered before an emergency happens. Take photos or videos of important belongings and keep important documents somewhere they can be accessed when needed. Consider keeping copies of important information in a secure location you can access if you're away from home.

• Know Your Risks - Think about the types of emergencies that could affect where you live and how you would respond. Consider your household's individual needs, where you would go if you needed to leave, and how you would stay informed. Preparedness isn't one-size-fits-all—your plan should work for you and your family.

You don't have to prepare for everything at once. Choose one thing you can do this week—make a family plan, check your emergency supplies, review your insurance, or organize important documents.

Small steps today can make a big difference when an emergency happens.

Ready to take the next step?
Find preparedness checklists, planning tools, and more information at Ready.gov.