Practical preparedness
Be ready for what's next.
Research-based gear reviews, clear checklists, and practical guidance. We compare published specifications and official advice so you can make a sound decision when it matters.
14 topics 127 guides updated 2026-09-23
Get prepared in 8 small steps, about $100 at a time.
Water, bleeding control, light, warnings, food, home, power, and family comms — one capability per pack. Check them off as you go.
See the 8 Packs →Starting points
All articles →
First Things First: What to Buy First for Preparedness (Under $100)
New to preparedness? Start here. Your first $95 should cover clean water, real first aid, and bleeding control. A simple priority order, not a gear wish list.
Read the guide →
Wildfire Evacuation Checklist 2026: Ready, Set, Go
Use this wildfire evacuation checklist to pack at Ready, load at Set, and leave at Go. Cover people, pets, medications, routes, smoke, and gear for 2026.
Read the guide →
The Ultimate Bug Out Bag Checklist for 2026
What to pack when you have minutes to leave. A complete, no-fluff bug out bag checklist with gear recommendations for every budget, from basic to premium.
Read the guide →Browse by topic
Every guide →Hurricane Prep
Guides and gear for hurricane season preparedness
7 guidesEarthquake Prep
Everything you need before, during, and after the big one
8 guidesPower Outage
Keep the lights on and food fresh when the grid goes down
18 guidesBug Out Bags
Build the ultimate go-bag for any emergency
8 guidesFirst Aid
Medical preparedness for emergencies big and small
12 guidesWater & Food
Stockpile smart — water filtration, long-term food storage, and more
11 guidesWildfire Prep
Evacuation plans, home hardening, and smoke safety for wildfire season
7 guidesWinter Storm Prep
Blizzards, extreme cold, and how to stay warm and safe without power
7 guidesFlood Prep
Flood safety, insurance, and recovery guides for the most common US disaster
8 guidesTornado Prep
Sirens, safe rooms, and tornado safety as the Alley shifts east
8 guidesPandemic Prep
Outbreak readiness — supplies, sick-day plans, and keeping your household healthy
7 guidesWar & Military Threats
Practical civilian readiness for conflict, supply chain disruption, and civil unrest
7 guidesVehicle Emergency
Car kits, winter driving, and roadside safety for breakdowns and crashes
12 guidesPet Preparedness
Emergency kits, evacuation planning, and first aid for dogs and cats
7 guidesLatest guides
All articles →How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: PASS, Classes, and When to Get Out (2026)
How to use a fire extinguisher: the PASS technique, what the A-B-C class ratings mean, where to mount one, and when to fight a small fire or walk away.
Sump Pump Backup Power: Keep Your Basement Dry in an Outage (2026)
Sump pump backup power keeps a basement dry when storms kill the grid. Compare battery backup, generators, and water-powered options before the next flood.
How to Store Gasoline for a Generator Safely (2026)
Store gasoline for a generator without spoiled fuel or fire risk: approved cans, stabilizer dosing, real shelf life, and storage spots away from living spaces.
Tornado at Night: The Wake-Up and Dark-Shelter Plan (2026)
Tornado at night is the deadliest kind: you are asleep and sirens are for outdoors. Set up a waking radio, a dark shelter route, and a bedside kit tonight.
Earthquake Insurance and Damage Claims: The 2026 Guide
Earthquake insurance explained: why standard policies exclude shaking, how 5-20% deductibles work, renters options, and the claims documentation workflow.
How to Change a Flat Tire: The Exact Order of Operations (2026)
How to change a flat tire safely: where to park, when to loosen lug nuts, jack points, spare limits, and when a plug kit plus inflator beats the jack.