52-week preparedness plan: one small step every week for a year
An emergency preparedness plan split into 52 weeks: one small, affordable, easy step each week, ordered by season. By the end of the year your household is ready for two weeks.
In short
- Preparedness feels overwhelming if you do it all at once. One step a week means 15–30 minutes and a small expense.
- The plan follows the seasons: floods in spring, heat in summer, winter in fall.
- The first months cover the 72-hour kit; the rest of the year builds two weeks of supplies and skills.
- It doesn't matter which week of the year you start. Start with week 1 and keep going.
Many people decide to prepare after a news story about an earthquake or blackout, look at a list of 100 things and give up. The answer is to break it into small steps. Each week you do one thing, for 15–30 minutes. By the end of the year you’re better prepared than nine in ten households.
Tick items off as you go. To see where you stand now, take our preparedness quiz first.
January: the basics
- Week 1: Make your family emergency plan: meeting place, out-of-area contact.
- Week 2: Write key phone numbers on paper and put a copy in every wallet.
- Week 3: Buy 3 days of water: 1 gallon (4 liters) per person per day.
- Week 4: A flashlight for each room and spare batteries.
February: the 72-hour kit
- Week 5: A complete first aid kit.
- Week 6: A battery, hand-crank or solar radio.
- Week 7: 3 days of non-perishable food. See the 3-day menu.
- Week 8: Copies of documents, on paper and on a USB stick or in the cloud.
March: spring and floods
- Week 9: Review your home insurance: does it cover floods?
- Week 10: Clear gutters and check the basement. See spring flooding.
- Week 11: Choose a backpack for each adult.
- Week 12: Pack a change of clothes, water, food, a flashlight and document copies.
- Week 13: Fit a smoke alarm.
April: earthquake-proof your home
- Week 14: Strap tall furniture and heavy items to the wall.
- Week 15: Learn how to shut off gas, water and power. Show everyone.
- Week 16: Set aside some cash in small bills.
- Week 17: Build a 2-week medication supply.
May: power and drills
- Week 18: A power bank for each phone.
- Week 19: Run an earthquake drill: “Drop, Cover, Hold On”.
- Week 20: Top up water to 2 weeks. See how much water to store.
- Week 21: Build your car kit.
June: summer and heat
- Week 22: Make a heatwave plan: how you’ll cool the house, who checks on older relatives.
- Week 23: Oral rehydration salts and a thermometer.
- Week 24: Sign up for a first aid course.
- Week 25: A kit for your pets.
- Week 26: Your office kit.
July: protection and cooking
- Week 27: N95/FFP2 masks for the family.
- Week 28: A whistle, wide duct tape, plastic sheeting.
- Week 29: Two weeks of food, part one. See the non-perishable food list.
- Week 30: A manual can opener and a way of cooking without power.
August: supplies
- Week 31: Two weeks of food, part two.
- Week 32: A fire extinguisher and fire blanket.
- Week 33: Purification tablets or a water filter. See water purification.
- Week 34: Supplies for hygiene without running water.
- Week 35: Essential tools for the home.
September: back to routine
- Week 36: Check the go bags: seasonal clothes, expiry dates.
- Week 37: Learn your school’s and daycare’s emergency procedures.
- Week 38: Set up pantry rotation.
- Week 39: Start an emergency fund, even with a small monthly amount.
October: winter prep
- Week 40: A carbon monoxide alarm.
- Week 41: Furnace or boiler service and chimney cleaning.
- Week 42: Blankets or sleeping bags for a winter power cut.
- Week 43: Battery LED lamps for each room. See lighting without power.
November: winter
- Week 44: Winter car kit. See winter preparedness.
- Week 45: If your budget allows, a power station.
- Week 46: Run a power cut drill: an evening with the lights off.
- Week 47: A plan for older parents and neighbors.
- Week 48: A folder of important documents, easy to grab if you evacuate.
December: review
- Week 49: Test your alarms and change batteries.
- Week 50: Check expiry dates on water, food and medicine.
- Week 51: Update your family plan: phone numbers, addresses, schools.
- Week 52: Retake the quiz and compare with where you started.
Congratulations. Next year, keep the rotation going: the September and December checks and drills twice a year.
Frequently asked questions
What if I skip a week?
No problem. Carry on with the next one and catch up when you can. The plan is a guide, not an exam. What matters is not stopping.
How much does the whole plan cost?
It depends on what you already have. Many weeks cost nothing (the plan, drills, checks). The biggest costs are food and water supplies, bought gradually, and optional gear such as a power station.
Can I start in a month other than January?
Yes. If you start in the fall, do weeks 1–8 first (the basic kit), then jump to the current month so you catch seasonal preparation in time.
Sources and further reading
Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.