Know what to do

Emergencies & Disasters

Power outages, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, winter storms. What to do before, during, and after each one, with checklists you can actually use.

An open refrigerator in a dim kitchen with lettuce, a package of meat, strawberries, and a bottle of milk on the shelves and a puddle of melted ice on the floor in front of it.

How Long Does Food Last in the Fridge Without Power?

A closed fridge lasts about 4 hours without power, a full freezer about 48. Here's how to decide what's still safe to eat.

6 min read
Three pages from the Family Emergency Binder on a desk: the Emergency Now tab divider on the left, the binder's cover page in front, and the Power Outage page on the right.

How to Prepare for a Hurricane: A Timeline That Starts Now

Hurricane prep works better as a timeline than a checklist. Here's exactly what to do before the season, at the watch, at the warning, and after the storm passes.

9 min read
Three pages from the Family Emergency Binder on a desk: the Power Outage page on the left, the Emergency Now tab divider in front listing the eight emergencies in the tab, and the 15-Minute Quick Setup checklist on the right.

How to Stay Warm Without Power: What to Do Tonight

When the power goes out in a winter storm, the plan isn't to heat the house. It's to close off one room, choose safe heat, and watch for carbon monoxide.

9 min read
A family contact map connects relatives' photos with red arrows on a kitchen table, beside a rotary phone, batteries, a flashlight, a marked map, and a first aid kit.

How to Set Up a Family Emergency Communication Plan

Spend 30 minutes as a family to set meeting spots, an out-of-state contact, and backup contact cards, plus a plan for staying in touch if cell service drops entirely.

9 min read
Open cooler packed with water bottles and ice packs next to two foil-topped coolers, loose ice packs, a bag of ice, and a thermometer reading 38 degrees

Best Ways to Keep Food Cold During a Long Power Outage

Simple steps to keep your fridge and freezer food safe during a long power outage, plus how to tell what to keep and what to throw out.

6 min read
Open SUV trunk packed with a winter emergency kit, including a folding shovel, first aid kit, water, an emergency blanket, jumper cables, and a warning beacon, parked on a snowy road

What to Pack in a Car Emergency Kit for Winter Driving

A simple winter car kit, plus where to keep it so you can grab what you need fast if you get stuck.

7 min read
Three kids playing a board game by candlelight and flashlight at the kitchen table during a nighttime power outage, with a quiet neighborhood visible through the window

What to Do During a Power Outage at Night

A calm, step-by-step plan for the first minutes of a nighttime power outage, from securing your home to keeping food cold and lighting up safely.

10 min read
A rusted, corroded can with a torn label next to a clean, undamaged can on a wood counter, showing the difference between a can to toss and one that is still safe

How Long Does Canned Food Last After the Expiration Date?

The date on a can tells you about quality, not safety, and most cans stay good for years if you store and check them right.

7 min read
A toilet with the lid up in a dimly lit home bathroom

Can You Flush The Toilet When The Power Is Out?

Your toilet flushes on gravity, not electricity, so a power outage rarely stops you from flushing.

6 min read

Coming soon

Get the binder for $19 during launch week

The Family Emergency Binder is coming soon. Join the list and get it for $19 during launch week. Your launch email carries the code. After launch week the price is $39.

One email when it launches. Unsubscribe anytime.

Almost ready

The Family Emergency Binder is in final production

Family Emergency Binder cover

It's coming soon. Join the list and get it for $19 during launch week. Your launch email carries the code. After launch week the price is $39.

One email when it launches. Unsubscribe anytime.