Essential Wildfire Preparedness Checklist: A Step-by-Step Guide

When we think of wildfire, most of us picture a giant wall of flames. But the reality is that most homes are lost not to the main fire, but to a shower of tiny, wind-driven embers that can travel for over a mile. These embers find their way into the smallest vulnerabilities—a pile of dry leaves in a gutter, an unscreened vent, or flammable mulch right next to the foundation. This is why a generic safety list isn't enough. You need a detailed wildfire preparedness checklist that addresses these specific, often-overlooked risks. Protecting your home is about managing the small details that make a big difference. This guide will show you exactly what those details are, helping you harden your home against the real threats.

Key Takeaways

• Build a Two-Part Defense: A strong plan protects both your family and your property. Focus on creating and practicing a detailed evacuation strategy for your loved ones while also hardening your home and maintaining defensible space to give it the best chance of survival.
• Document Your Actions for Insurance: Proving you've taken steps to reduce risk is critical for staying insured. Keep a detailed record of all home hardening projects with photos and receipts, and create a complete home inventory to streamline any future claims.
• Treat Preparedness as an Ongoing Habit: A wildfire plan is only effective if it's up-to-date. Schedule regular reviews to update contact lists and routes, perform seasonal yard maintenance, and refresh the supplies in your go-bags every six months.

Your Wildfire Preparedness Checklist: Why It Matters

Facing the dual threats of wildfire and an unstable insurance market can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get stuck, unsure of where to even begin. But creating a clear, actionable checklist is the single most important step you can take to regain control. It transforms vague anxieties into a concrete plan, giving you a structured way to protect your family, your home, and your financial stability. A good plan doesn't just prepare you for an emergency; it can also help you stay insurable in a challenging market. Insurers are looking for homeowners who are actively reducing their risk, and a documented plan can make all the difference when it comes time for renewal. This guide will walk you through the essential components of a wildfire preparedness checklist, breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps. By focusing on what you can control, you can build resilience against both the flames and the uncertainty of the insurance landscape.

What Are the Real Risks?

When you picture a wildfire, you probably imagine a massive wall of fire. While that’s a real danger, it’s not the only one—or even the most common. Fire safety experts explain that there are three primary ways a home is exposed to wildfire: direct flames, radiant heat from nearby burning structures or vegetation, and flying embers. Of these, embers are the most insidious threat. These small, burning pieces of wood and vegetation can be carried by the wind for more than a mile, starting spot fires far from the main blaze. They can land on your roof, get into vents, or ignite flammable debris near your home, making them a primary cause of home ignition during a wildfire.

The Price of Inaction

Despite the availability of educational resources, many homeowners find themselves unprepared. It’s not for lack of concern; often, it’s because the sheer number of recommended tasks leads to paralysis. Research shows that various individual and social factors create barriers to taking action. But inaction comes with a steep price. Beyond the obvious risk to your property and safety, failing to mitigate your home’s wildfire risk can make it difficult or impossible to secure affordable insurance coverage. Insurers are increasingly looking for proof of proactive measures, and without it, you could face non-renewal or be forced into last-resort, high-cost plans.

How to Create Your Action Plan

A comprehensive plan has two core components: preparing your family to leave and preparing your home to stay. First, you need a solid family emergency plan that includes evacuation routes and a "go bag" with essential supplies. Second, you must create a defensible space around your property. This involves establishing a fire-resistant zone by clearing leaves, pine needles, and other flammable materials from within at least 30 feet of your home. These steps form the foundation of your defense. A tool like the Wildfire Action Plan can guide you through creating a personalized checklist, ensuring you cover every critical detail from home hardening to evacuation logistics.

Assemble Your Emergency Go Bag

When an evacuation order comes, you might only have minutes to leave. Having a pre-packed emergency “go bag” for each member of your household is one of the most critical steps you can take. This isn’t just about having supplies; it’s about having peace of mind. Knowing your essentials are ready to go allows you to focus on the most important thing: getting your family to safety. Think of it as your grab-and-go kit for the first 72 hours after leaving your home.

Your go bag should be stored in a cool, dry place that’s easy to access, like a front hall closet or in your car. Remember to prepare a kit for your pets, too. The goal is to have everything you need to be self-sufficient, as emergency services will be focused on fighting the fire and managing the evacuation. Building this kit doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can gather items over time and use this checklist to make sure you have all your bases covered. Once it's packed, you'll have taken a huge step toward securing your family's safety. A complete Wildfire Action Plan can help you track this and all your other preparedness tasks.

Gather Critical Documents

In the chaos of an evacuation, the last thing you want to be doing is searching for important papers. Your go bag should contain copies of your most critical documents in a waterproof, portable container. This includes items like driver's licenses, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, and pet vaccination records. Don't forget financial and legal documents: bank account information, insurance policies, deeds or titles to your home, and tax records. Having these papers will be essential for filing insurance claims and getting your life back on track after a disaster. Consider scanning these documents and saving them to a password-protected USB drive or a secure cloud service as a digital backup.

Pack Non-Perishable Food and Water

During an emergency, you may not have access to clean water or food for several days. Your go bag needs to sustain you and your family for at least 72 hours. The standard recommendation is one gallon of water per person, per day. For food, pack non-perishable items that don’t require cooking, like protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, and canned goods with a manual can opener. If you have infants or family members with special dietary needs, be sure to pack formula, baby food, or other necessary items. Remember to check the expiration dates on your food and water supplies every six months and replace them as needed.

Include a First-Aid Kit and Medications

A well-stocked first-aid kit is a must-have for any emergency. You can buy a pre-made kit or build your own with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and gauze. More importantly, you must include a supply of any prescription medications your family members need. Pack at least a seven-day supply, along with a list of the medications, dosages, and the prescribing doctor’s information. If you wear glasses or contacts, pack an extra pair. Don’t forget about your pets—include their medications and any specific medical supplies they might need. Having these items on hand can prevent a medical emergency from becoming a crisis.

Plan for Communication

Staying informed and in touch with loved ones is crucial during a wildfire. Your go bag should include your cell phone and a portable backup charger or power bank. Since power outages are common during disasters, you can’t rely on being able to plug into a wall. A hand-crank or battery-powered radio (with extra batteries) is also a great tool for receiving official updates if cell service goes down. Before an emergency happens, it's wise to establish a family communication plan that designates an out-of-state contact person everyone can check in with. This ensures everyone knows how to reconnect if you get separated.

Add Personal and Comfort Items

Evacuating is a stressful and emotional experience, and small comforts can make a big difference. Pack a change of clothes for 3-5 days, toiletries, and personal hygiene items. If you have children, include a few small games, books, or a favorite stuffed animal to help them feel more secure. Consider adding copies of irreplaceable family photos or small heirlooms that you can’t bear to lose. These personal touches help maintain a sense of normalcy and comfort in a difficult situation. Having these items ready means you won't have to make heartbreaking choices about what to leave behind in a rush.

Harden Your Home Against Wildfire

Protecting your home from wildfire starts long before a fire is on the horizon. It begins with “home hardening,” a series of strategic upgrades and maintenance tasks designed to make your house more resistant to embers and flames. In an era of increasing wildfire risk and a chaotic insurance market, hardening your home is one of the most powerful steps you can take. It not only increases your property’s chances of survival but also demonstrates to insurers that you are actively managing your risk.

Many homeowners feel powerless after receiving a non-renewal notice, but taking action can change the conversation. By focusing on the most vulnerable parts of your property—the roof, vents, windows, and the immediate area around your home—you can create a powerful defense. These efforts are an investment in your safety and financial stability, helping you stay insurable in high-risk areas. Your Wildfire Action Plan can help you track these improvements and build a comprehensive record of your work.

What is Home Hardening?

Home hardening is the process of using construction materials and installation techniques that increase a home’s resistance to wildfire. The primary threat often isn't a wall of flames, but a shower of tiny, wind-driven embers that can travel a mile or more ahead of a fire. These embers can get into small openings and ignite your home. Hardening focuses on sealing those entry points and using materials that don't easily burn. This includes installing fine mesh screens on vents, choosing fire-resistant roofing and siding, and ensuring windows are double-paned. A guide from CAL FIRE offers detailed recommendations for making your home more resilient.

Create Your Defensible Space

Your home’s immediate surroundings are just as important as the structure itself. Creating a defensible space is about managing the vegetation and materials around your property to slow a fire’s spread. The most critical area is the "ember-resistant zone," which extends five feet from your foundation. In this zone, use non-combustible materials like gravel or concrete instead of flammable mulch. Within 30 feet of your home, you should remove dead plants, clear leaves from your yard and roof, and keep tree branches trimmed. This buffer zone denies fuel to an approaching fire and gives firefighters a safer area to defend your home.

Complete Key Maintenance Tasks

Home hardening isn’t a one-time project; it requires consistent upkeep to remain effective. Regular maintenance is your first line of defense. Make it a habit to clean leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your roof and gutters, as these are prime spots for embers to land and ignite. Routinely inspect your home’s exterior, checking for gaps in siding or cracks around windows where embers could enter. Prune tree limbs that hang over your roof or come within 10 feet of your chimney. These simple, recurring tasks are fundamental to keeping your property safe and are often the first things an insurance inspector will look for.

Document Your Work for Insurance

As you complete home hardening projects, documenting your efforts is essential. This record is your proof to insurance companies that you have taken concrete steps to lower your wildfire risk, which can be critical for maintaining coverage or qualifying for discounts. Take clear before-and-after photos of every improvement, from installing new vents to clearing vegetation. Keep a detailed file with receipts for materials, invoices from contractors, and any professional certifications or inspections. When your policy is up for renewal, present this documentation to your agent. It shows you are a proactive partner in risk mitigation and can make a significant difference in their assessment of your property.

Plan Your Evacuation Strategy

When an evacuation order is issued, you won’t have time to think—only to act. A well-practiced evacuation plan is one of the most critical parts of your wildfire preparedness, turning panic into purposeful action. This isn’t just about knowing when to leave; it’s about knowing how to leave safely and efficiently. Your strategy should cover every detail, from the routes you’ll take to how you’ll communicate with loved ones if you’re separated.

A complete plan accounts for the chaos of an emergency. It maps out primary and secondary escape routes, establishes a clear communication tree, and ensures your vehicle is ready to go at a moment’s notice. It also includes specific provisions for the most vulnerable members of your household, including pets, children, elderly relatives, and anyone with special medical needs. Taking the time to build and rehearse this plan now will give your family the confidence and clarity needed to get to safety when it matters most. Creating a detailed evacuation plan is a core part of your Wildfire Action Plan.

Map Multiple Escape Routes

Your primary road out could be blocked by fire, debris, or traffic. That’s why you need to identify at least two or three different escape routes from your neighborhood. Map these routes ahead of time and drive them with your family so everyone is familiar with the roads. Familiarity reduces stress in a high-stakes situation. Designate a few safe meeting spots for your family to gather if you get separated: one just outside your neighborhood, another in a nearby town, and a third farther away in case of a wider evacuation order. Practice is key—run through your evacuation drill at least twice a year so everyone, including children, knows exactly what to do.

Establish a Family Communication Plan

During a wildfire, cell service can be unreliable. Don’t count on being able to reach family members with a quick phone call. Instead, establish a clear communication plan. Designate one out-of-state friend or relative as a central point of contact for everyone to check in with. It’s often easier to make a long-distance call than a local one during a regional emergency. Make sure everyone has this person’s number saved in their phone and also written down on a physical card in their wallet or go bag. This simple step ensures you can confirm everyone’s safety even if you can’t reach each other directly.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Evacuation

Your car is your lifeline in an evacuation. Keep it ready throughout fire season by maintaining at least a half tank of gas at all times—gas stations may be closed or have long lines during an emergency. Park your vehicle in the driveway or garage facing the direction of your escape route to save precious time. Keep your emergency go bag in your car or somewhere you can grab it instantly on your way out. If you park in a garage, know how to operate the door manually in case of a power outage. Having your car prepped and ready to go removes several critical steps when seconds count.

Include Pets and Livestock in Your Plan

Your animals depend on you entirely for their safety. Prepare a separate emergency go bag for your pets that includes a few days’ worth of food and water, medications, medical records, and a favorite toy for comfort. Make sure your pets are microchipped and wearing ID tags with your current contact information. If you have larger animals or livestock, you must plan their evacuation well in advance. Arrange for transportation and identify a safe location that can shelter them. Never leave your animals behind—a disaster plan for your pets is a non-negotiable part of your family’s overall strategy.

Account for Special Needs

If your household includes infants, older adults, or individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, your evacuation plan needs extra attention. Pack any necessary items they rely on, such as medications, mobility aids, hearing aids with extra batteries, oxygen tanks, or specialized food. Create a list of their specific needs and keep it with your important documents. It’s also wise to build a support network with neighbors. Inform them of your family’s situation and agree to check on each other if an evacuation is ordered. This community connection can provide critical assistance during a chaotic time.

A Room-by-Room Guide to Wildfire Safety

When an evacuation order is issued, your priority is to get out safely. But if you have a few critical minutes, taking specific actions around your property can give it a fighting chance. These steps are designed to slow a fire’s spread and make your home less vulnerable to the embers that can travel miles ahead of the main blaze. Think of this as a final, crucial walkthrough before you leave, securing your home from the inside out.

Secure Your Indoor Spaces

Start by creating barriers inside your home. Close all interior doors as you leave each room; this simple action can significantly slow the spread of flames if they breach the exterior. You should also close all windows and doors leading outside to prevent embers from blowing in. Before you head out, turn on lights in every room and on your porch. According to evacuation information from the Los Angeles Fire Department, this helps firefighters see your home through thick smoke, which could be the difference-maker if your property needs defending. Leave the doors unlocked to give firefighters easy access if they need to enter.

Clear Garages and Storage Areas

Your garage and yard can hold hidden fuel for a wildfire. Move any flammable outdoor items—patio furniture, cushions, doormats, and grills—inside your garage or at least 30 feet away from the house. If you have time, cover attic openings, vents, and windows with thick plywood to block sparks and embers from entering these vulnerable points. Garages are often weak spots because they store flammable liquids like gasoline and paint. Make sure these are sealed and stored away from other combustible materials. Taking these steps removes potential fuel sources from the immediate vicinity of your home’s exterior walls.

Know How to Shut Off Utilities

Knowing how to shut off your home’s utilities is a critical skill, and you need to learn it before a fire is approaching. If you are instructed to do so by officials, turn off your natural gas or propane at the source. This prevents gas leaks that could ignite and cause an explosion. You should have the necessary tools (like a non-sparking wrench) stored near the valve. Also, shut down your air conditioning system to stop it from pulling smoke and embers into your home’s ventilation system. Practice locating and turning off these valves so you can do it quickly and confidently in a high-stress situation.

Manage Outdoor Flammables

Your defensible space needs a final check before you evacuate. Quickly scan the area within 30 feet of your home and remove anything that could easily ignite. This includes clearing away piles of dry leaves, pine needles, and other yard debris from against the house. Move firewood stacks and propane tanks as far away from your home as possible. A guide for homeowners from Climate Check emphasizes creating this fire-resistant zone as a key mitigation step. These last-minute actions reduce the amount of fuel available for embers to ignite, protecting the most vulnerable parts of your home’s exterior.

Set Up Your Wildfire Alert System

When a wildfire threatens your community, information is your most valuable asset. Seconds count, and having a reliable system to receive warnings can make all the difference between a safe evacuation and a frantic escape. Relying on a single source, like a TV news report or a social media post, isn't enough. Power outages, overwhelmed cell networks, and fast-moving fires can disrupt communication channels. A robust alert system uses multiple layers to ensure you get the message. This section will walk you through setting up your alerts, creating a communication plan for your family, and identifying the local resources you'll need when an evacuation order is issued.

Sign Up for Official Alerts

Your first step is to opt into every official alert system available to you. Start with national services like the FEMA app and ensure Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone—these are the loud, geographically targeted messages you can’t ignore. Next, sign up for your state and county-specific alert systems. In California, this might include county-level programs like SoCoAlerts or Nixle. Independent services like Watch Duty also provide real-time, verified information from fire scanners and official sources. Don't forget to monitor air quality alerts, as smoke can pose a serious health risk long before flames are visible. Having several ways to get alerts ensures you receive critical information as soon as it’s released.

Create a Communication Backup Plan

During a wildfire, cell towers can become overloaded or damaged, making it difficult to reach loved ones. You need a plan for how your family will connect if you can't call or text each other. First, designate two safe meeting spots: one just outside your neighborhood and another farther away, in case the immediate area is inaccessible. Second, choose an out-of-state friend or relative as your family’s central point of contact. It's often easier to make a long-distance call than a local one during a regional disaster. Make sure everyone in your household has this person's number and knows to check in with them. Write this communication plan down and give everyone a physical copy for their wallet or go bag.

Compile an Emergency Contact List

When you’re under stress, it’s nearly impossible to recall important phone numbers, and you can’t assume your phone will have power. Create a physical, waterproof list of essential contacts to keep in your go bag and another in your car’s glove compartment. This list should go beyond your immediate family. Include phone numbers for your doctor, your children’s schools, your veterinarian, and your insurance agent. Add the non-emergency lines for your local police and fire departments, as well as your utility companies. Having this information written down provides a crucial backup, ensuring you can reach the right people for medical help, animal care, or official guidance when you need it most.

Identify Local Resources

Knowing your community’s emergency infrastructure is just as important as getting the initial alert. Before a fire starts, take the time to identify your designated local resources. Find the locations of official evacuation centers and public shelters in your area—and know a few alternate options. If you have pets or livestock, locate the animal shelters that accept evacuees. Many communities also have pre-identified Temporary Refuge Areas. You can typically find this information on your county’s Office of Emergency Services website. Following your local fire department and sheriff’s office on social media can also provide real-time updates during an active incident. You can map these locations and organize all of your emergency contacts in one place by starting your Wildfire Action Plan.

Keep Your Wildfire Plan Up-to-Date

A wildfire plan is a living document, not a file you create once and forget. Your family’s needs change, seasons shift, and supplies expire. Keeping your plan current is just as important as making it in the first place. Regular updates ensure that when an evacuation order comes, you’re not scrambling with outdated information or expired supplies. Think of it as routine maintenance for your family’s safety. By breaking it down into smaller, regular tasks, you can stay prepared without feeling overwhelmed. A solid plan is your best defense, and a well-maintained plan is one you can truly count on.

Review Your Checklist Monthly

Set a recurring calendar reminder to review your plan with everyone in your household. This is your chance to make sure everyone is still on the same page. Walk through your evacuation routes and confirm your designated meeting spots. Does everyone remember where the emergency go-bags are stored? Do your kids know the emergency contact numbers by heart? Discussing your plan regularly keeps it fresh in everyone’s mind and reduces panic during a real emergency. This monthly check-in is also a good time to update contact information and make any adjustments based on your family’s changing schedules or needs.

Perform Seasonal Maintenance

Your property is your first line of defense, and its condition changes with the seasons. At least twice a year—think spring cleaning and fall prep—walk your property to perform key maintenance. This is when you should create a fire-resistant zone by clearing leaves, pine needles, and other yard debris from your roof, gutters, and the area within 30 feet of your home. Move flammable materials like firewood piles and propane tanks away from structures. Trimming back overgrown vegetation and removing dead plants is also critical. This ongoing effort to maintain your defensible space is essential for home hardening and is something insurers look for.

Rotate Your Emergency Supplies

The supplies in your go-bag won't last forever. Every six months, take the time to check on your emergency kits. Rotate out any non-perishable food and water that is nearing its expiration date. Check the expiration dates on medications and replace them as needed. This is also a great time to swap out seasonally inappropriate clothing—that wool sweater won’t do you much good in July. Make sure your first-aid kit is fully stocked and that batteries in flashlights and radios are fresh. A well-stocked, up-to-date kit means you have what you need when you need it most.

Test Your Safety Equipment

The safety equipment inside your home needs to be in perfect working order. You should test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on each level of your home, especially in the kitchen, and know how to use it. Check the pressure gauge on your extinguishers regularly to ensure they are fully charged. According to the American Red Cross, this simple maintenance is a critical part of wildfire safety. If you have a generator, start it up periodically to make sure it runs properly. These small checks can make a life-or-death difference.

Plan for What Comes After

Thinking about what happens after a wildfire is just as critical as preparing for its arrival. The steps you take now can make a world of difference in your recovery process, helping you file insurance claims, access aid, and rebuild your life with less stress. A solid post-fire plan ensures you have the information and resources you need when you’re most vulnerable. It’s about creating a clear path forward through the chaos.

Back Up Important Documents

In the rush of an evacuation, it’s easy to forget critical paperwork. That’s why having backups is non-negotiable. Make digital copies of essential documents like your driver’s license, passports, social security cards, birth certificates, and insurance policies. Federal emergency planners recommend you ensure all your personal documents are current and stored in a safe digital location. Keep the originals in a fireproof safe or a bank's safe deposit box. It’s also smart to give a set of copies to a trusted friend or family member who lives out of the area. This simple step ensures you can prove your identity and ownership, which is crucial for accessing aid and starting claims.

Create a Home Inventory

If you need to file an insurance claim, you’ll have to prove what you lost. A home inventory is the best way to do this. The thought of documenting everything you own can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. The easiest method is to walk through your home and record a video on your phone, narrating as you go. Open drawers and closets to capture everything inside. For high-value items like electronics, art, or jewelry, take separate photos of the items, their serial numbers, and any appraisal documents. A detailed home inventory can be the difference between a smooth claim process and a frustrating, drawn-out battle to get what you’re owed.

Use Secure Digital Storage

Your home inventory and backed-up documents are only useful if they survive the fire. Storing them on your home computer isn’t enough. You need a secure, off-site storage solution. Cloud-based services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud are excellent options. They allow you to keep copies of important documents in a safe digital spot that you can access from any device with an internet connection. For extra security, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. If you prefer a physical backup, save your files to an external hard drive and store it in your safe deposit box or at your designated out-of-area contact’s home.

Know the Steps for Safe Re-Entry

The desire to return home after a fire is strong, but going back too soon can be dangerous. Wildfire recovery zones are often filled with hidden hazards like downed power lines, unstable trees, and toxic materials. Always wait for officials to give the "all clear" before attempting to re-enter the area. When you do return, wear protective gear, including an N95 mask, sturdy boots, and gloves. Be cautious of structural damage to your home and watch your step for sharp debris. It's also important to check with utility companies about the safety of your water and electrical systems before using them. Following these protocols for re-entry is essential for protecting your health and safety during the difficult recovery phase.

Related Articles

• A Step-by-Step Home Wildfire Risk Assessment
• Protect Your Home: Top 10 Wildfire Prevention Measures
• The Ultimate Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
• How to Pack for a Wildfire Evacuation: A 5-Minute Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

This all feels like a lot. What's the most important first step? Feeling overwhelmed is completely normal, but don't let it stop you from starting. The single best first step is to tackle one manageable task to build momentum. A great place to begin is by signing up for every local and national emergency alert system available. It takes just a few minutes and immediately improves your access to critical information. Another excellent starting point is packing your family's "go bags." Focusing on one concrete action transforms anxiety into progress.

Will taking these steps guarantee I can keep my home insurance? While there are no guarantees in today's challenging insurance market, taking these actions significantly improves your position. Insurers are looking for homeowners who are actively reducing their wildfire risk. By hardening your home, creating defensible space, and documenting your work, you provide clear evidence that your property is a lower risk to insure. This can be the deciding factor in a renewal decision and may help you qualify for available discounts.

"Home hardening" and "defensible space" sound similar. What's the real difference? It's helpful to think of it this way: home hardening focuses on the structure of your house itself, while defensible space deals with the area surrounding it. Hardening involves making physical upgrades like installing ember-resistant vents or a fire-rated roof to make the building more resistant to ignition. Defensible space is about managing the landscape—clearing flammable vegetation and creating a buffer zone to slow a fire's approach and give firefighters room to work. You need both for a complete defense.

Why is it so important to have multiple evacuation routes planned out? During a wildfire, your primary escape route can become blocked by fire, smoke, traffic, or emergency vehicles with little to no warning. Relying on a single path is a major risk. Planning and practicing at least two alternate routes ensures you have other options and won't be trapped if your main road is impassable. Knowing these backup routes ahead of time saves precious seconds and reduces panic in a high-stress situation.

Once my plan is made, am I done? How often should I really be updating it? A wildfire plan isn't a "set it and forget it" document; it's a living tool that needs regular attention. You should review your evacuation routes and communication plan with your family every few months to keep it fresh in everyone's mind. At least twice a year, check your emergency supplies, rotate out expired food and water, and replace batteries. Seasonal yard maintenance to maintain your defensible space is also a critical, ongoing task.