Twelve Areas of Preparedness
Be Ready Utah
The 12 Areas of Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you really need? The 12 Areas of Emergency Preparedness give you a framework to build comprehensive readiness for you and your household.
These 12 areas cover your basic needs during normal times and especially during emergencies. They work together to help you stay safe, healthy, and comfortable when disaster strikes.
You don't need to master everything at once. Start with one area, then gradually build your knowledge and supplies in all twelve. Your priority depends on your greatest need at the moment - if you're thirsty, water comes first. If you're cold, shelter and warmth are the priority.
1. Shelter, Clothing, and Fire
Extreme weather can affect you quickly without adequate shelter. It's not just about having a roof over your head - it's about maintaining your body temperature in any environment.
What You Need to Know
Learn temperature regulation. Understand how to keep warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Know the signs of hypothermia and heat exhaustion.
Prepare your home. Know what to do to keep your home warm or cool if the power goes out. Identify the warmest and coolest rooms in your house.
Choose the right clothing. Learn what clothing to wear and how to layer it to maintain normal body temperature. Cotton kills when wet - choose wool or synthetic materials for cold weather.
Master fire starting. Learn how to start a fire using different ignition sources and different fuels in various conditions. Practice before you need this skill.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Waterproof poncho or rain gear
- Emergency reflective blanket
- Warm blankets or sleeping bag
- Clothing for both warm and cold weather
- Extra socks and underwear
- Hat with brim for sun protection
- Windproof/waterproof matches
- Alternative fire-starting supplies
- Hand and body warmer packets
Take Action
2. Water
Clean drinking water is essential for your health and wellbeing. Water is your most critical supply after air.
What You Need to Know
Store enough water. Store a minimum of one gallon per person per day. Plan for at least 14 days (14 gallons per person). This sounds like a lot, but it's necessary for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.
Use proper containers. Store water in clean, food-grade containers or clean two-liter soda bottles. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers work well. Never use old milk jugs - they break down and can harbor bacteria.
Learn water treatment. Know how to make questionable water safe to drink:
- Start with the cleanest water you can find
- Pre-filter to remove large particles and debris
- Filter with a commercial filter to remove chemicals, sediments, and larger microorganisms
- Purify to kill remaining microorganisms by boiling for three minutes or using eight drops of unscented bleach per gallon
Rotate your supply. Replace stored water every 6-12 months to keep it fresh.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Water bottles (at least 3 days worth)
- Refillable water containers
- Water purification tablets
- Portable water filter
- Unscented household bleach for purification
Take Action
3. Food and Nutrition
Proper nutrition keeps you healthy and strong during emergencies. Good food also provides comfort and normalcy during stressful times.
What You Need to Know
Store what you eat. Choose foods your household already enjoys and eats regularly. Your body will be used to these foods, and you'll know everyone will actually eat them.
Eat what you store. Rotate food into your regular meals to prevent waste and ensure nothing expires. This approach also helps you learn how to cook with your emergency food.
Plan for nutrition. Build a balanced diet into your food storage. Include proteins, grains, fruits, vegetables, and fats. Don't forget vitamins if storing long-term.
Start small, build gradually. Begin with a 3-day supply in your disaster kit. Work toward a 2-week supply, then a month, then three months. Long-term goal is a 6-month to 1-year supply.
Store properly. Keep food in cool, dark, and dry conditions to maximize shelf life. Heat and light degrade food quality.
What to Add to Your Kits
- 3-5 days of ready-to-eat, non-perishable food
- Foods that don't require cooking
- High-energy snacks
- Hard candies for quick energy and morale
- Comfort foods
- Special dietary needs items
Take Action
4. Hygiene and Sanitation
Staying clean helps prevent illness after disasters. Poor hygiene and sanitation can quickly lead to disease outbreaks that compound the emergency.
What You Need to Know
Maintain cleanliness. Keep your body, family, immediate environment, and neighborhood as clean as possible with available resources.
Set up handwashing. Know how to create a handwashing station with limited water. Clean hands prevent the spread of illness.
Manage human waste safely. Gather supplies and learn how to set up a portable toilet. Know how to use it safely and dispose of waste properly when sewer systems aren't working.
Conserve water. Learn techniques to maintain cleanliness while minimizing water use. Baby wipes, hand sanitizer, and dry shampoo can help.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Personal hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb)
- Toilet paper and feminine hygiene products
- Hand sanitizer
- Baby wipes or moist towelettes
- Garbage bags for waste disposal
- Zip-style bags
- Portable toilet supplies (bucket, bags, disinfectant)
Take Action
5. Light and Power
Light helps you see hazards, navigate safely, and maintain a sense of normalcy. Power keeps critical devices running.
What You Need to Know
Keep light accessible. Always keep a working flashlight next to your bed. You need immediate access when the power goes out at night.
Know utility shutoffs. Learn when and how to safely shut off electricity, gas, and water at your house. Know where the main shutoffs are located.
Store and rotate batteries. Keep various battery sizes on hand and check them regularly. Batteries lose charge over time even when not in use.
Charge devices. Keep phone chargers in emergency kits, at work, and in vehicles. Consider portable power banks.
Use generators safely. If you have a generator, never run it indoors or near doors or windows. Carbon monoxide is deadly and invisible.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Multiple flashlights
- Extra batteries (various sizes)
- Chemical light sticks
- Headlamp for hands-free light
- Phone chargers and power banks
- Solar chargers if available
Take Action
6. First Aid and Well-Being
Being prepared helps you care for injuries until professional medical help arrives. In a large-scale emergency, you may be on your own for days.
What You Need to Know
Get trained. Become first aid certified and maintain your certification. Knowledge is more valuable than supplies. Training gives you confidence to act in emergencies.
Understand the basics. Learn to CHECK the scene for safety, CALL 911 to report emergencies, and CARE for victims according to your training level.
Stock supplies everywhere. Keep first aid materials at home, in vehicles, and in emergency kits. Different locations need different supplies.
Maintain physical health. Your overall fitness affects how well you handle emergency situations. Regular exercise and good nutrition matter.
Include medications. Keep at least a 2-week supply of prescription medications in your kit. Talk to your doctor about emergency refills.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Complete first aid kit with bandages, gauze, tape
- Antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipes
- Pain relievers (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- First aid instruction manual
- Prescription medications
- Glasses or contact lens supplies
- Medical equipment you depend on
Take Action
View detailed first aid kit checklist
7. Communication
Accurate information helps you make informed decisions during emergencies. Communication is often the first thing lost when disaster strikes.
What You Need to Know
Sign up for alerts. Register for your county's emergency alert system. Text "UtahQuake" to 43362 for earthquake alerts. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone.
Learn information sources. Understand how to receive emergency information through the Emergency Alert System (EAS), NOAA weather radio, and official social media accounts.
Have backup methods. Don't rely on just your phone. Power outages and network congestion can make cell service unavailable.
Create communication plans. Establish how your household will communicate if separated. Choose an out-of-state contact everyone can check in with.
Practice signaling. A whistle takes less energy and can be heard much farther than shouting. Include one in every kit.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Battery or hand-crank AM/FM radio
- NOAA weather radio
- Whistle with neck cord
- Written contact information
- Extra phone chargers
- Notepad and pencil
Take Action
8. Safety and Security
Prevention is better than treatment. Safety protects you from hazards, and security helps you maintain awareness of threats.
What You Need to Know
Inspect your home. Perform a safety check on your home regularly. Look for fire hazards, falling risks, and structural concerns.
Maintain smoke detectors. Check smoke detector batteries every month. Replace batteries every six months. Replace the entire unit every 10 years.
Stay situationally aware. Pay attention to your surroundings wherever you go. Notice exits, hazards, and unusual behavior.
Secure valuable items. Anchor tall furniture and water heaters. Store heavy items on lower shelves. These simple steps prevent injuries during earthquakes.
Consider self-defense. Learning basic self-defense techniques can increase confidence and provide options if you feel threatened.
Complete a Home Hazard Hunt to identify and fix dangers in your home.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Work gloves for handling debris
- N-95 masks for dust and smoke
- Safety glasses
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Spare house and car keys
Take Action
9. Tools and Personal Items
This area covers everything not addressed in the other 11 areas. Your specific needs depend on your skills, abilities, and daily requirements.
What You Need to Know
Assess your needs. Think about what you use every day. Glasses? Hearing aids? Medications? Infant supplies? These become critical in emergencies.
Include comfort items. Emergency supplies aren't just about survival - they're about maintaining dignity and reducing stress. Books, games, and familiar items matter.
Gather basic tools. Have an assortment of hand tools, equipment, and supplies useful in emergency situations. Multi-tools are especially valuable.
Plan for special needs. If you or family members have access and functional needs, include specialized equipment and supplies. Medical devices, mobility aids, and communication tools are essential.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Multi-function pocket knife or multi-tool
- Duct tape (fixes almost anything)
- Rope or paracord (50 feet)
- Extra glasses or contact lenses
- Hearing aid batteries
- Infant supplies (diapers, formula, bottles)
- Mobility aids as needed
- Religious or comfort items
- Activities for children
Take Action
10. Cooking
Being able to prepare food maintains normalcy and comfort during emergencies. Cooking also purifies water and sterilizes equipment.
What You Need to Know
Learn alternative methods. Know how to safely cook and prepare food when standard methods are unavailable. Power outages and gas disruptions are common after disasters.
Understand fuel safety. Learn how to safely store and use cooking fuels like charcoal, propane, or wood. Never cook with these fuels indoors - carbon monoxide kills.
Try solar cooking. Solar cookers save fuel and work well in Utah's sunny climate. Practice using one before you need it.
Plan for no-cook options. Include foods that don't require cooking in your emergency supplies. This gives you options when cooking isn't possible.
What to Add to Your Kits
- Lightweight camp stove
- Fuel for your stove
- Matches or lighter
- Camp cup, plate, and utensils
- Can opener
- Paper towels
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Take Action
11. Important Documents and Money
You need identification and cash during emergencies. Electronic systems often fail, making printed documents and physical money essential.
What You Need to Know
Keep printed copies. Have physical copies of important documents for identification and to help with post-emergency recovery. Digital copies on encrypted USB drives provide backup.
Update regularly. Review and update your document copies every six months. Information changes - addresses, phone numbers, insurance policies.
Store cash. Keep a minimum of 3-5 days' worth of cash in small bills. Plan for expenses like fuel, food, and lodging. ATMs and credit card systems may not work.
Organize for access. Keep documents in waterproof containers. Know where everything is so you can grab it quickly if evacuating.
What to Include
- Emergency contact list
- Family photos (for identification)
- Birth certificates and marriage license
- Social Security cards
- Insurance policies (home, auto, health, life)
- Property deeds or lease agreements
- Vehicle titles and registration
- Medical records and prescriptions
- Financial account information
- Wills and power of attorney documents
Take Action
Check out our Disaster Supply Checklists!
Family Emergency Plan Worksheet
Utah LEPC Contacts by Region (2026)
