30 Days to Prepared: Your Step-by-Step Readiness Program

The hardest part of preparedness is starting. Where do you begin? How do you avoid getting overwhelmed? HAVEN's "30 Days to Prepared" program solves this by giving you one simple, actionable task each day.

The Philosophy

One task per day. Each task takes 15-30 minutes. By day 30, you've built a solid preparedness foundation. No expensive purchases required in the first week. Start with knowledge, build to supplies, refine with practice.

Week 1: Foundation (Knowledge & Planning)

Day 1: Download your area's emergency guide (local emergency management website). Read it.

Day 2: Identify the 3 most likely emergencies in your area. Write them down.

Day 3: Walk through your home and identify the safest room for each emergency type.

Day 4: Write down your family's meeting points — one near home, one further away.

Day 5: Choose an out-of-area emergency contact. Call them and tell them they're your emergency contact.

Day 6: Take photos of all important documents (IDs, insurance, medical). Store on phone and print copies.

Day 7: Teach every family member how to shut off gas, water, and electricity.

Week 2: Water & Food

Day 8: Buy or fill 7 gallons of water per person in your household. Store in a cool, dark place.

Day 9: Buy water purification tablets and a portable filter.

Day 10: Inventory your current food — how many days could your family eat without going to the store?

Day 11: Buy 7 days of non-perishable food (canned goods, rice, beans, peanut butter).

Day 12: Buy two manual can openers. Put one with your food supply, one in your kitchen.

Day 13: Buy a camping stove and 5 fuel canisters. Learn to use it outdoors.

Day 14: Taste-test your emergency food. Replace anything your family won't eat.

Week 3: Safety & Medical

Day 15: Assemble or buy a first aid kit. Check expiry dates on everything.

Day 16: Learn to stop bleeding: direct pressure, elevation, tourniquet. Practice on each other.

Day 17: Learn CPR basics. Watch a certified video (American Red Cross or AHA).

Day 18: Refill all prescriptions to maximum allowed supply. Store backup separately from daily use.

Day 19: Buy flashlights and extra batteries. Put one flashlight in every bedroom.

Day 20: Buy a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Test it.

Day 21: Buy a fire extinguisher if you don't have one. Learn to use it (PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).

Week 4: Communication, Skills & Practice

Day 22: Write every important phone number on a paper card. Put copies in wallets, cars, and emergency kits.

Day 23: Charge a power bank. Put a phone charger cable in your emergency kit.

Day 24: Drive your evacuation route. Note gas stations, shelters, and alternates.

Day 25: Practice your family meeting plan. Turn off phones and meet at your designated spot.

Day 26: Pack a basic go-bag for each family member (change of clothes, snacks, water bottle, flashlight, personal items).

Day 27: Learn to purify water using three methods (boiling, tablets, filter). Practice each one.

Day 28: Learn to start a fire safely without matches (ferro rod or magnifying glass).

Day 29: Have a family discussion: what did we learn? What still makes us nervous? What should we improve?

Day 30: Check your HAVEN Readiness Score. Set a goal for next month.

Beyond 30 Days

Day 30 isn't the end — it's the foundation. From here, expand your supplies, learn new skills, study specific scenarios, and practice regularly. HAVEN's training paths, weekly drills, and Readiness Score give you ongoing structure for continuous improvement.

Start Today

Don't wait for the perfect moment. Start with Day 1. Open your local emergency management website and read their guide. That's 15 minutes. That's today's task. Tomorrow, you'll do the next one.

HAVEN's "30 Days to Prepared" program is available in the Training section. Each day includes a detailed task description, tips, and links to relevant HAVEN features.