Annual Preparedness Checklist
Year-round maintenance schedule for your emergency supplies and plans.
3 min read · 4 sections
Every Month
- [ ] Check smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries
- [ ] Rotate any perishable items in pantry
- [ ] Review local emergency alerts — any new risks in your area?
Every 6 Months (March & September)
- [ ] Replace water stored in home-filled containers
- [ ] Check and update first aid kit — replace expired items
- [ ] Review go-bag — update clothing for season and growth
- [ ] Practice your evacuation drill
- [ ] Test your emergency radio
- [ ] Update household information card with any changes
- [ ] Confirm medications are in supply
Every Year
- [ ] Review and update your Family Emergency Plan
- [ ] Check fire extinguisher pressure
- [ ] Reseal any emergency food stored in DIY containers
- [ ] Update the digital document backup (USB drive / cloud)
- [ ] Review insurance policies — are limits still adequate?
- [ ] Attend a First Aid / CPR refresher course
- [ ] Review local hazard risks (has anything changed?)
After Any Emergency
- [ ] Restock anything used from go-bag or emergency supplies
- [ ] Document lessons learned — what worked, what didn't
- [ ] Update emergency plan based on experience
- [ ] Check structural integrity of home if applicable
- [ ] File insurance claims if applicable