Why Your Emergency Preparedness Should Spark Joy, Not Anxiety
When I first heard about 72-hour kits, the advice was always the same: grab a duffel bag, stuff it with survival basics, and shove it in a closet. But with a family of five, the reality quickly became apparent – packing 15 gallons of water and three days of food for everyone into a go-bag isn’t practical.
But here’s the thing about pretty things – they make me happy. And if I’m going to prepare for uncertain moments, shouldn’t that preparation bring me some measure of peace rather than dread?
That’s why I’ve reimagined emergency preparedness as beautiful home systems rather than utilitarian go-bags. Instead of one overwhelming kit, I create elegant preparedness woven throughout our home – supplies that serve us beautifully every day while keeping us quietly ready for unexpected moments.
Rethinking Emergency Preparedness for Real Families
Traditional emergency preparedness assumes you’ll either evacuate with a single bag or hunker down with a basement full of supplies. But real family life is more nuanced. You might face a power outage where you stay home but need alternative lighting and food. You might need to evacuate quickly but only need enough supplies to get to a safe location, not to survive in the wilderness.
That’s why I approach emergency preparedness as flexible, beautiful home systems rather than rigid go-bags. Think of it as creating calm confidence through thoughtful organization throughout your living space.
Two Types of Preparedness: Stay or Go
Before we dive into the room-by-room approach, let’s clarify what we’re actually preparing for:
Stay-at-Home Preparedness (Most common) Power outages, storms, or situations where you remain in your home but normal services are disrupted. This is where the larger water storage (1 gallon per person per day) and 3-day food supplies make sense.
Quick Evacuation Preparedness Times when you need to leave quickly but will likely reach a shelter, hotel, or safe location within hours. For this, you need a compact bag with essentials: documents, medications, change of clothes, minimal food/water, and comfort items.
The beauty of the room-by-room approach is that it serves both scenarios. When supplies are thoughtfully distributed throughout your home, you can easily grab what you need for evacuation while maintaining comprehensive home preparedness for shelter-in-place situations.
The Strategic Location Question
Your beautiful preparedness system works best when distributed thoughtfully throughout your home, with one central “grab zone” for quick evacuation scenarios:
The Quick-Grab Zone (Near your most-used door) A small, beautiful bag with true evacuation essentials: important documents in a waterproof pouch, medications, one change of clothes per person, minimal food/water, phone chargers, cash, and comfort items for children.
Room-by-Room Preparedness (Throughout your home) Larger supplies that serve you during shelter-in-place situations but aren’t practical to carry during evacuation: bulk water storage, extensive food supplies, alternative lighting, heating/cooling aids, and additional comfort items.
This approach means you’re prepared for both quick departures and extended home-based emergencies without trying to stuff everything into a single unwieldy bag.
Room by Room: Building Your Beautiful System
Starting Point: The Entryway
This is your command center. Whether you choose a complete kit or grab list approach, this space should contain your most essential items. Official recommendations include “important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records”:
- Your beautiful main bag or basket
- Emergency contact sheet in a waterproof folder
- Copies of essential documents (insurance policies, IDs, bank records, medical information) in a waterproof container
- Car keys on a designated hook
- Cash in small bills (Ready.gov suggests keeping “a small amount of cash at home” because “ATMs and credit cards may not work during a disaster” – focus on $1s, $5s, and $10s for practical transactions)
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Whistle for signaling help
- Local maps
The goal is creating a launching pad that feels intentional, not panicked.
The Kitchen: Nourishment and Comfort
Your kitchen contributes the foundation of your 72-hour preparedness. Based on Ready.gov recommendations, you’ll need at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day.
From your pantry:
- Non-perishable foods you actually enjoy (quality crackers, artisanal nut butters)
- Dark chocolate or hard candy (there’s wisdom in this – WWII aircrew emergency rations included chocolate and hard candy for morale and quick energy)
- Individual tea bags or instant coffee in small pouches
- Canned foods with manual can opener
Water considerations:
- For stay-at-home scenarios: One gallon per person per day for three days minimum, stored in beautiful glass carafes for everyday use plus larger containers for emergency reserves
- For evacuation: Stainless steel or lightweight plastic water bottles (I also have collapsible silicone water bottles) that are easy to grab and carry, plus compact purification options (UV purification lights, LifeStraws, or purification tablets work beautifully and take up minimal space)
- Keep both types ready: glass for home beauty and function, stainless steel/silicone/plastic for portability and travel
The key is choosing items that could comfort you during displacement, not just sustain you.
The Bathroom: Personal Care and Dignity
Ready.gov recommends including “non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives” along with prescription medications. But maintaining personal care during displacement preserves dignity and mental health:
- Travel-sized versions of products you actually use
- Basic first aid supplies in a beautiful cosmetic bag (adhesive bandages, gauze pads, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, instant cold packs, thermometer, tweezers)
- Prescription medications in clearly labeled containers (keep current)
- Non-prescription medications (pain relievers, stomach remedies, allergy medications)
- Feminine hygiene products in a discrete pouch
- Contact lens supplies if needed
- Hand sanitizer and soap
I keep a small toiletry bag always packed with doubles of essentials. It works for weekend trips and emergency departures equally well.
The Bedroom: Comfort and Warmth
Your bedroom contributes items that help you rest anywhere:
- Weather-appropriate clothing in a compression bag
- Comfortable shoes you can walk in
- A soft throw blanket that packs small
- Sleepwear for each family member
- Undergarments and socks
Choose items that help you feel like yourself, even away from home.
The Living Room: Connection and Calm
This space provides items for emotional wellbeing and staying informed:
- Battery-powered flashlight with extra batteries
- Portable phone chargers with charging cables
- A small bluetooth speaker for familiar music
- Books or journals for processing
- Family photos in a protective sleeve
- A deck of cards or small games in a beautiful pouch
These items maintain connection to comfort and routine during disruption.
Special Consideration: Children’s Comfort Kits
For families with young children, this is where thoughtful preparation really shines. I’ve created age-appropriate activity kits that serve multiple purposes – long car trips, emergency situations, and any time we need engaging distractions for little ones.
The key to these kits is preserving their novelty. I reserve them specifically for longer trips and special circumstances, which means the contents remain exciting and engaging rather than becoming everyday items the children grow tired of.
What makes these kits work:
- Quiet, contained activities that don’t require supervision
- Mix of sensory, creative, and problem-solving items
- Age-appropriate choices that can hold attention for extended periods
- Organized in clear, portable containers for easy transport
- Items chosen specifically for their ability to calm and engage during potentially stressful situations
The psychological benefit is enormous – when children associate these special kits with adventure and treats rather than stress or emergencies, they become a positive comfort tool rather than a reminder of anxiety.
If you’re interested in learning more about what specific items I include in these children’s activity kits, send me an email at hello@readyprettyliving.com and I’ll share a detailed breakdown of age-appropriate selections that work beautifully for both travel and emergency preparedness.
The Beauty Is in the Details
What makes a 72-hour kit beautiful isn’t expensive gear – it’s thoughtful curation. Here are the details that transform utilitarian preparation into beautiful readiness:
Choose containers you love: Woven baskets, leather bags, vintage suitcases, or canvas totes that reflect your style.
Coordinate colors: Select items in a cohesive color palette so your kit feels intentional rather than thrown together.
Add comfort touches: Include one small luxury item that would comfort you during displacement – nice hand cream, quality lip balm, or special tea.
Use clear organization: Small pouches, packing cubes, or cosmetic bags help you find things quickly while maintaining visual calm.
Include handwritten notes: A encouraging note to your future self, your family’s favorite recipes written on cards, or emergency contact information in beautiful handwriting.
Important Safety Reminders
Before you begin building your beautiful 72-hour kit, keep these essential safety considerations in mind:
Check expiration dates regularly: Set a calendar reminder to review your kit every six months. Replace expired medications, food, and batteries. Water and canned foods should be rotated regularly.
Consider special needs: If you have infants, include formula, diapers, and baby supplies. For elderly family members, ensure adequate medications and mobility aids. Don’t forget pet supplies if you have animals.
Seasonal adjustments: Your kit should change with the seasons. Winter requires extra warmth considerations, while summer calls for cooling and hydration supplies.
Practice and familiarity: Make sure all family members know where the kit is located and how to use basic items like the first aid supplies.
Note: This guide provides general preparedness suggestions. For specific medical advice or detailed emergency planning, consult with healthcare professionals and your local emergency management office.
Beyond the Bag: Building Confidence
The most beautiful aspect of this approach isn’t how your kit looks – it’s how it makes you feel. When you’ve thoughtfully prepared with items you love, stored in containers that reflect your aesthetic, you’re not just ready for emergencies. You’re ready to face uncertainty with grace.
My children now associate our “special travel bags” with adventure rather than fear. When I pull them out on the plane, there’s excitement rather than anxiety. If we ever need them for an emergency departure, that positive association will serve us well.
Start Where You Are
You don’t need to create a complete system overnight. Begin with one room or one category. Choose a beautiful container you already own. Add three items that would serve you in both emergency and everyday situations.
Notice how this small shift changes your relationship with preparedness. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s creating calm confidence through beautiful intention.
Ready to Create Your Own Beautiful Home Preparedness?
Transform your approach to emergency readiness with our Beautiful Home Emergency Preparedness Checklist – a thoughtfully designed, room-by-room guide that makes preparedness feel calm and intentional rather than overwhelming.
This printable checklist includes everything we’ve covered in this post:
✓ Quick-grab zone essentials for evacuation scenarios
✓ Room-by-room preparedness for shelter-in-place situations
✓ Official recommendations presented beautifully
✓ Children’s comfort kit guidance
✓ Seasonal considerations and safety reminders
Your 72-hour kit should reflect the life you want to maintain, even during disruption. When you prepare with beauty and purpose, you’re not just getting ready for emergencies. You’re practicing the art of facing uncertainty with grace.
Not Sure Where to Start? We’ve Got You Covered
If you’re feeling inspired but overwhelmed about where to begin building your beautiful home preparedness, you’re not alone. Starting can feel daunting when you’re trying to balance practicality with your aesthetic values.
That’s why we’ve curated collections of beautiful, functional items that align with the Soft Prepping philosophy:
Browse our Pinterest boards for visual inspiration and product ideas organized by room and category. You’ll find everything from beautiful water storage solutions to elegant emergency lighting that doubles as home decor.
Check out our Amazon Favorites for specific product recommendations that we’ve love. These are items that serve both everyday beauty and emergency function – no ugly survival gear that you’ll want to hide away.
Remember, you don’t need to create a complete system overnight. Start with one room, one category, or even one beautiful container. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s creating calm confidence through beautiful intention.
Want to start your own soft prepping journey? I’d love to help you create beautiful systems that bring peace, not panic. Explore the Slow Living Emergency Starter Kit or join the Ready Pretty Insiders and receive The Soft Prepping Philosophy: 5 Principles for Beautiful Preparedness Without Panic for free, plus an Emergency Information Printable. Because readiness should be soft, calm, and quietly powerful.
With warmth and intention,
Carri
Ready Pretty Living
