The Simple Emergency Checklist that EVERY Family needs to have covered!

Be prepared. It's good advice, and has served (in various forms) as the motto of such storied institutions as the U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, and the Scouting Movement. Naturally, you don't need to be in the armed services or working on a merit badge to appreciate the value of being prepared; the world's a complex and occasionally dangerous place, and having a plan for life's emergencies "big and small" is always a good idea.

With that in mind, we've assembled a list of nine essentials every well-prepared family should have on hand to help deal with disaster.

1. An Emergency Preparedness Plan

Step one in readying your family for an emergency is making a preparedness plan. Decided where and when to meet for a variety of emergencies (e.g., basement plan for tornadoes; escape routes and meet points for fires, etc.).

Make sure everyone in your family has a set of emergency contact and medical information with them at all times. In addition, make sure everyone has memorized essential phone numbers; smartphones have made it all too easy to rely on pre-programmed convenience, and you may need to use someone else's phone in an emergency.

Finally, you can locate your local emergency management agency and reach out to them for a wealth of resources, including signing up for local and regional emergency alerts via text, preparedness training and materials, and tools such as safety assistance apps.

2. An Emergency Supply List

Once you've got the "who" and the "where" and the "when" sorted, it's time to think about what. Start with an emergency supply list, such as this list from FEMA, and add items as needed.

Keep in mind that most supply lists are written to provide up to three days' worth of food, water, meds, and other essentials for emergencies (government agencies have usually begun responding within 72 hours). However, you may want to plan for longer if you're in a remote area, or resources may not be easily obtained if you're forced to fend for yourself after three days. Adjust your list items, and their quantities, accordingly.

3. A Secure Place for Your Supplies

Having organized your list, make sure you've chosen a safe, dry, and readily accessible location for your family's disaster preparedness stash. It's a good idea to keep food, water, and medical supplies on an elevated shelf, in a sealed container that's also waterproof. Important documents and any media should be in their own interior waterproof sleeve or bag.

FEMA recommends storing your kit in your garage, if you have one, as it's usually easy to reach and out of the reach of children.

4. Food

Plenty of non-perishable food is a disaster must-have. Buy enough to feed each person for three or more days. Consider adding a camping stove, along with some matches in a watertight container, for hot meals. Don't just rely on cans; nutrition bars, peanut butter, dried fruit or fruit leather, and hard candy can add essential variety, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid salty snacks and junk food when possible, as they will increase thirst and demand for potentially limited water supplies.

Don't forget to add food for your pets, if you have any.

Be sure to check your stash every month or two, and replace expired items as necessary.

5. Water

Water is even more essential than food for keeping your family healthy and sanitary during a crisis. You'll want at least a gallon a day, per person, for drinking and sanitation needs. In addition to bottled water (which lasts about a year; check and replace annually), keep several large clean jugs on hand to fill with water. You may not have time to use them, depending on the nature of the emergency, but having them handy could allow you to collect a substantial amount of water from your tap before a storm, fire, or other disaster makes doing so unreasonable or unsafe.

As with food, be sure to include extra water in your stash for any pets.

6. Medical and Hygiene Needs

Be prepared for medical needs with a fresh first-aid kit augmented with over-the-counter essentials such as aspirin/acetaminophen, cold medicine, and antiseptic ointment. It's not usually practical (or even possible) to store prescription medicines for long periods, so plan ahead instead by ensuring you always have a current refill on your prescription (at least a week's worth) or, if you have a mail-order service, have a few month's worth delivered regularly.

If you or a family member have allergies or other special medical concerns, be sure you've added whatever materials you'll need (allergy pens, etc.) to your kit. And if you wear prescription lenses, an extra pair of glasses should be on the list, too.

Don't forget about hygiene! Soap, towels, feminine hygiene products, and bleach (for disinfecting and emergency water treatment) are smart additions. Diapers and wipes are essential for those with infants, but baby wipes are a sensible option for quick clean-ups in any kit. As with other perishable items, be sure to check expiration dates and replace out-of-date items regularly.

7. Cash and Documents

In a crisis, you may have limited access to electronic funds. Keep a reasonable amount of cash, traveler's cheques, and change in your kit.

Create copies of essential family documents-insurance policies, personal identification, birth records, bank account info, password lists, etc.-and keep them in a waterproof, portable sleeve or envelope.

8. Power and Communication

You'll can stash two or three multi-packs of batteries (in a variety of sizes) for portable devices (such as your radio) and flashlights. They'll need to be replaced every two to three years, and most major brands now feature an estimated expiration date printed on the batteries themselves.

A standard AM/FM radio doesn't pick up the emergency broadcasts sent out by the National Weather Service (part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA). You'll need a true weather radio that can pick up NOAA's seven weather radio update channels. Most modern weather radios are supported by not only battery power, but hand cranking and solar charging options as well.

9. Extras and Entertainment

One enemy you might not expect to face during a disaster is boredom, but it's a good idea to include a few books, games, and activities that are appropriate for the whole family, from children to adults. If you have children, feel free to include a few extra toys-as long as batteries aren't required.

You might also consider including a very basic tool kit, for emergency repairs and turning off appliances or utilities as needed.