Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
How to get ready for disasters at home: know your risks, make a family plan, gather supplies, and recover afterward. Covers protective actions for hazards from earthquakes and floods to power outages and active shooters.
Source: FEMA. Not endorsed by FEMA or the U.S. Government.
Last checked against the source 2 October 2026
How to use this document
Who it's for: households starting from zero on emergency preparedness.
How to use it: work through it in its own order: Know Your Risks (which hazards apply where you live), Make a Plan (how your household stays in touch and where you meet), then Take Action, which covers supplies and protecting your home. The hazard sections are reference, so read the ones that apply to your area. The last chapter covers recovering afterward.
What to know: this is the 2020 edition of FEMA's citizen preparedness guide.
What's in it
- Prepare for Disasters
- Know Your Risks: Actions to Protect Yourself and Others
- Make a Plan
- Take Action: Protect Yourself, Your Property, and Manage Risk
- Recovering from a Disaster
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