Sources

The score is built on public guidance. Here's what each part leans on.

Ready.gov: Build a kit
Water: one gallon per person per day for several days. Several days of non-perishable food. Radio, flashlight, first aid kit, meds, cash, documents.
Ready.gov: Make a plan
Know how you'll contact one another and reconnect. A family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find.
Ready.gov: Power outages
Flashlights for every household member. Backup power for medical devices. Generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows.
Ready.gov: Financial preparedness
A small amount of cash at home in small bills. Copies of key documents.
Ready.gov: Water
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days.
European Commission: new steps to prepare Europeans (Nov 3, 2026)
Households encouraged to be able to manage on their own for 72 hours.
American Red Cross: Survival kit supplies
Kit basics checklist.

The 7 areas and what we ask

How much drinking water is stored at home right now? Fix: Store 1 gallon per person per day. Aim for 3 days to start.
If the water company said not to drink the tap water, could you make it safe? Fix: Add a water filter as a backup to stored water.
Do you know where your home's main water shut-off is? Fix: Find the main water shut-off and make sure an adult can turn it.

If the power went out tonight, what would you see with? Fix: Get a flashlight or headlamp for every person and keep them in one known spot.
How would you keep phones charged for 3 days without power? Fix: Keep charged power banks, or a portable power station if you need more.
Is there anything that must stay powered or cold, like a medical device or fridge meds? Fix: Ask your doctor or supplier about a power outage plan for the device or meds, and get backup power sized for it.

How long could you eat from what's at home, with no power and no cooking? Fix: Stock 3 days of food that needs no fridge, cooking or water.
Do you have a manual can opener and a safe way to heat food without power? Fix: Put a manual can opener in the kitchen drawer. Any outdoor stove stays outdoors.
Pet food for at least 3 days? Fix: Keep 3 days of pet food and extra water for your pet.

What's your first aid situation? Fix: Get a real first aid kit and open it once so you know what's inside.
Prescription meds: how much spare is on hand? Fix: Ask your pharmacist about keeping a small spare supply and write down every med and dose.
Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? Fix: Test your smoke alarms and add a carbon monoxide alarm. Outages raise CO risk from generators and stoves.

If phones and internet were down, how would you get news? Fix: Get a battery or crank radio with NOAA weather alerts.
If you couldn't reach each other, does everyone know where to meet? Fix: Pick a meeting place that's familiar and easy to find. Tell everyone.
Do you have key phone numbers written down, not only in your phone? Fix: Write the 5 numbers that matter on a card in your wallet and one at home.

Cash at home in small bills? Fix: Keep some cash at home in small bills. Cards and ATMs may not work in an outage.
Copies of ID, insurance and bank info? Fix: Put copies of ID, insurance and account info in one protected place.
Could you reach your insurer and bank without your phone? Fix: Write down policy numbers and customer service numbers with your documents.

Is there a household emergency plan? Fix: Write a one page plan: who to call, where to meet, where the kit is.
If you had to leave in 10 minutes, is there a bag ready? Fix: Pack a go bag with water, snacks, a light, a charger, meds and copies of documents.
Are you signed up for local emergency alerts? Fix: Sign up for your city or county alerts and check your phone's emergency alerts are on.

The weights and the finish line are our judgment, not an official standard.