https://www.preparedstates.com Household preparedness for America: official guidance explained, live hazard data and price-checked gear. en-us Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/emergency-kit-checklisthttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/emergency-kit-checklistThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderA plain-English emergency kit checklist built on Ready.gov's basic kit and extra items, with how many days of supplies to keep and how to maintain your kit. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/how-much-water-to-storehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/how-much-water-to-storeThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow much water to store for an emergency: 1 gallon per person per day, pets, which containers to use, when to replace stored water and hidden sources at home. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/make-water-safehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/make-water-safeThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to make water safe to drink in an emergency: boiling times, exact unscented bleach amounts, what filters and tablets remove, and what nothing can fix. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/emergency-food-storagehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/emergency-food-storageThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow much emergency food to store, from a 3-day kit to two weeks at home: no-cook foods, calories, special diets, rotation and when to throw out damaged cans. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/is-a-freeze-dryer-worth-ithttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/is-a-freeze-dryer-worth-itThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhat a Harvest Right freeze dryer really costs to run, which size and circuit you need, what it can and can't do for emergency food, and notes from two years of owning one. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/go-bag-checklisthttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/go-bag-checklistThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhat to pack in a go-bag: documents, medications, cash, chargers, per-person items, kids and pets, and how it differs from a home kit. Official sources. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/family-emergency-planhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/family-emergency-planThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to make a family emergency plan: Ready.gov's four steps, the questions to ask, a communication plan, meeting places, alerts, and planning for kids and pets. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/pets-emergency-kithttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/pets-emergency-kitThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to build a pet emergency kit and plan: what to pack, ID and microchips, what shelters and hotels allow, pet-friendly places to stay and aftercare. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/boil-water-advisoryhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/boil-water-advisoryThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhat a boil water advisory means, how long to boil water, what is safe for drinking, teeth, ice, formula, dishes and pets, and what to do when it is lifted. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/older-adults-emergency-preparednesshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/older-adults-emergency-preparednessThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow older adults can prepare for emergencies: assess needs, build a support network, plan for medicines and devices, stock a kit and prepare for heat and cold. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/power-outage-checklisthttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/power-outage-checklistThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderA calm power outage checklist from Ready.gov and CDC: what to prepare, how to protect food, medicines and medical devices, and what to do when power returns. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/food-safety-power-outagehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/food-safety-power-outageThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow long food stays safe in the fridge and freezer without power, what to throw out, and when you can refreeze, based on CDC and Ready.gov guidance. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/generator-safetyhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/generator-safetyThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to use a portable generator safely in an outage: 20 feet from windows, never in a garage, CO alarms, outdoor cords, and why you must never backfeed. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/stay-warm-without-powerhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/stay-warm-without-powerThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderStay warm in a winter power outage safely: keep heat in, dress in layers, never heat with an oven or grill, know hypothermia signs and where to go. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/medical-devices-power-outagehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/medical-devices-power-outageThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to plan for a power outage if you use electric medical devices or refrigerated medicine: questions to ask, backup power and utility priority lists. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/home-fire-escape-planhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/home-fire-escape-planThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to make a home fire escape plan: two ways out of every room, an outside meeting place, escape ladders, drills twice a year, and when to call 911. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/smoke-alarm-placementhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/smoke-alarm-placementThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhere to put smoke alarms: every level, inside each bedroom and outside sleeping areas, plus testing, batteries, 10-year replacement and hearing-loss alarms. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/carbon-monoxide-poisoninghttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/carbon-monoxide-poisoningThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhat CO poisoning feels like, who is most at risk, common sources in winter and outages, where to put CO alarms, and what to do the moment one sounds. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/space-heater-safetyhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/space-heater-safetyThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to use a space heater safely: keep it 3 feet from anything that can burn, plug it into the wall, never run it while you sleep, and heat safely in an outage. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/shut-off-utilitieshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/shut-off-utilitiesThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhere your gas, water and electric shutoffs are, when to use them, when not to shut off gas, and why only a professional turns the gas back on. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/winter-storm-preparednesshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/winter-storm-preparednessThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderA plain-English winter storm checklist: watch vs warning, home prep, supplies, staying warm, shoveling and carbon monoxide cautions, sourced to official pages. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/winterize-your-homehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/winterize-your-homeThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to winterize your home before cold weather: seal drafts, insulate, service the furnace and chimney, protect pipes, test alarms and stock outage supplies. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/winter-car-emergency-kithttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/winter-car-emergency-kitThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhat to keep in your car for winter and what to do if you get stranded: stay with the car, clear the exhaust pipe, run the engine safely. Official sources. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/frozen-pipeshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/frozen-pipesThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to keep pipes from freezing and what to do if they do: insulate, let faucets drip, thaw safely with a hair dryer, and never use a flame. Official sources. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/flood-preparednesshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/flood-preparednessThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderFlood watch vs warning, how little moving water can sweep a car away, the 30-day flood insurance wait, and what to do before, during and after a flood. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/extreme-heat-safetyhttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/extreme-heat-safetyThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHeat exhaustion vs heat stroke signs and what to do, why a fan is not enough when it is very hot, heat alert terms, and how to cope with a summer power outage. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/hurricane-preparednesshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/hurricane-preparednessThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHurricane season dates, watch vs warning, how to find your evacuation zone, storm surge, supplies, and what to do after the storm, sourced to NHC and Ready.gov. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/tornado-preparednesshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/tornado-preparednessThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderTornado watch vs warning, where to shelter in a house, apartment, mobile home or car, how to get NOAA Weather Radio and WEA alerts, and what to do afterward. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/wildfire-smokehttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/wildfire-smokeThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHow to protect yourself from wildfire smoke: check the AQI, set up a cleaner-air room, use MERV 13 filters and air cleaners, and know what N95s cannot do. https://www.preparedstates.com/guides/earthquake-preparednesshttps://www.preparedstates.com/guides/earthquake-preparednessThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderWhat to do in an earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold On, how to secure heavy items, what to do indoors, outdoors or driving, plus gas leaks and aftershocks. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/bluetti-ac180-vs-anker-solix-c1000https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/bluetti-ac180-vs-anker-solix-c1000Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderBLUETTI AC180 vs Anker SOLIX C1000 for outages: output, charging, solar input, weight and expansion compared from the makers' pages and manuals. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/champion-2500-vs-wen-56235ihttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/champion-2500-vs-wen-56235iThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderChampion 2500W dual fuel vs WEN 56235i inverter generator: running watts, fuel, outlets, weight and CO shutoff compared from maker specs and manuals. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/datrex-vs-sos-rations-3600https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/datrex-vs-sos-rations-3600Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderDatrex and SOS Rations 3,600-calorie emergency food bar packs compared on bars per pack, calories, shelf life, storage range, ingredients and pack counts. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/ecoflow-delta-3-max-vs-bluetti-elite-200-v2https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/ecoflow-delta-3-max-vs-bluetti-elite-200-v2Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderEcoFlow DELTA 3 Max vs BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 for long outages: output, solar input, weight, UPS switching and fridge settings compared from maker documents. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/honda-eu2200i-vs-champion-2500https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/honda-eu2200i-vs-champion-2500Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderHonda EU2200i vs Champion 2500W dual fuel inverter generator: running watts, fuel, noise, weight and CO shutoff compared from maker specs and manuals. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/jackery-1000-v2-vs-anker-solix-c1000https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/jackery-1000-v2-vs-anker-solix-c1000Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderJackery Explorer 1000 v2 vs Anker SOLIX C1000 for a power outage: capacity, output, charging, weight and warranty compared from maker specs and manuals. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/jackery-1000-v2-vs-bluetti-elite-100-v2https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/jackery-1000-v2-vs-bluetti-elite-100-v2Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderJackery Explorer 1000 v2 vs BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 for outages: capacity, output, charging modes, weight, warranty and UPS claims compared from maker documents. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/midland-er310-vs-er210https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/midland-er310-vs-er210Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderMidland ER310PRO and ER210 emergency crank radios compared on weather channels, alerts, AM/FM, power sources, battery, phone charging and what each maker says. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/mountain-house-3-day-vs-readywise-72-hourhttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/mountain-house-3-day-vs-readywise-72-hourThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderMountain House Just in Case 3 Day and ReadyWise 72 Hour food kits compared on calories, servings, water needed, weight and shelf life, as each maker lists them. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/ready-hour-4-week-vs-emergency-essentials-1-monthhttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/ready-hour-4-week-vs-emergency-essentials-1-monthThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderReady Hour's 4-week kit and Emergency Essentials' 1-month kit compared on calories, servings, buckets, shelf life and what each maker says about water and heat. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/sawyer-mini-vs-lifestraw-personalhttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/sawyer-mini-vs-lifestraw-personalThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderSawyer MINI and LifeStraw Personal compared on what each maker says they remove and do not remove, rated life, weight, use and freezing limits. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/sawyer-squeeze-vs-sawyer-minihttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/sawyer-squeeze-vs-sawyer-miniThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderSawyer Squeeze and Sawyer MINI water filters compared on what each removes and does not remove, flow, backwashing, kit contents, rated life and freezing limits. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/anker-solix-f3800-plus-vs-ecoflow-delta-pro-3https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/anker-solix-f3800-plus-vs-ecoflow-delta-pro-3Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderAnker SOLIX F3800 Plus vs EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 for home backup: output, solar input, expansion, generator charging, weight and warranty from the makers' pages. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/apc-br1500ms2-vs-cyberpower-cp1500pfclcdhttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/apc-br1500ms2-vs-cyberpower-cp1500pfclcdThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderAPC BR1500MS2 vs CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD: outlets, runtime, transfer time, battery and warranty compared from the makers' own datasheets and manuals. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/ecoflow-delta-pro-3-vs-jackery-explorer-5000-plushttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/ecoflow-delta-pro-3-vs-jackery-explorer-5000-plusThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderEcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 vs Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus for home backup: capacity, 240V output, solar input, expansion, weight and warranty from the makers' pages. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/jackery-solar-generator-1000-v2-vs-ecoflow-delta-3-classichttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/jackery-solar-generator-1000-v2-vs-ecoflow-delta-3-classicThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderJackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 vs EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic: output, solar input, charging, weight and warranty compared from the makers' own pages. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/midland-gxt3000-vs-btech-gmrs-prohttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/midland-gxt3000-vs-btech-gmrs-proThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderMidland GXT3000 vs BTECH GMRS-PRO compared on what is in the box, waterproofing, GPS, Bluetooth, repeaters, batteries and the FCC license rules. https://www.preparedstates.com/compare/pilot-24-lite-vs-freedom-cpap-batteryhttps://www.preparedstates.com/compare/pilot-24-lite-vs-freedom-cpap-batteryThu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMTTom CalderMedistrom Pilot-24 Lite vs Freedom CPAP Battery 160Wh: capacity, machines and cables, run times, charging, travel and warranty from the makers' pages.