Know your household’s needs
Write down who lives in your home, including pets, and note medications, mobility needs, medical devices, dietary needs, and caregiving responsibilities.
Your calm starting point
Start Here: Your First Preparedness Steps
Preparedness does not begin with buying everything at once. It begins with understanding your household, identifying your most likely disruptions, and taking one practical step at a time.
Free beginner checklist
Know what you have. See what is missing. Choose one next step.
The Start Here Checklist is designed to reduce overwhelm, not create a giant shopping list.
Free PDF checklist
Get the Start Here Checklist
Complete the short request form and the checklist will be delivered through the existing SWC system.
Send me the checklistSecurely delivered through Jotform. You can unsubscribe from optional emails at any time.Five practical steps
Build the foundation first
Create a communication plan
Choose an out-of-area contact, a household meeting place, and the ways each person will receive official alerts. Make sure everyone knows the plan.
Prepare for power and lighting
Find your flashlights, test batteries, identify safe charging options, and plan for any medication or medical equipment that depends on electricity.
Build a basic food and water supply
Begin with shelf-stable items your household already eats. Add a little at a time and rotate what you store before it expires.
Organize important information
Keep copies of essential documents, medication lists, insurance details, emergency contacts, and local resource numbers together and easy to reach.
After you download
Turn the checklist into progress
Complete the assessment
Review it with the people in your household.
Choose one gap
Pick one missing item or plan to address first.
Check in monthly
Schedule a short household preparedness review.
Take the next step