Emergency Preparedness for People Living Alone

Emergencies don't give warnings, and when you live alone, you're your own first responder. Being prepared can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a serious crisis.

Build Your Emergency Kit

Every home should have supplies for at least 72 hours:

• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply minimum)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Phone charger (battery pack or car charger)
• Cash in small bills
• Important documents in waterproof container
• Warm blanket

Create an Emergency Plan

Know what to do before an emergency strikes:

• Identify two ways out of every room
• Know your neighborhood's evacuation routes
• Designate a meeting point where family can find you
• Know where to shelter in place for different emergencies
• Keep important documents ready to grab

Establish Your Emergency Contact Network

When you live alone, having people who will check on you is essential:

• Share your emergency plan with family and friends
• Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor
• Register with local emergency services if you have special needs
• Set up a daily check-in system

Medical Emergency Preparation

Medical emergencies are more common than natural disasters:

• Keep a current list of medications and conditions
• Wear a medical alert bracelet if you have serious conditions
• Program emergency contacts into your phone
• Learn basic first aid and CPR
• Know the signs of heart attack and stroke

The Daily Check-In: Your Emergency Safety Net

One of the most important preparations for someone living alone is ensuring someone will notice if you can't respond. A daily check-in service automatically alerts your emergency contacts if you don't check in, ensuring help arrives even when you can't call for it yourself.