How To Run A Monthly Readiness Check
A fast monthly routine for checking stored food, water, lights, batteries, first aid, documents, and plans.
Prepper & Survivalist · 4 min read
Make It Small
A readiness check should not eat your Saturday. If it takes too long, you will skip it. Keep the monthly check short and repeatable.
Pick the same day each month. First Sunday works. Payday works. Put it on the calendar.
Check The Core
Use one page. Walk the house with a pen.
- Water stored
- Food dates
- Flashlights working
- Batteries charged
- First aid stocked
- Medicines checked
- Documents copied
- Contact list current
Do not fix every problem during the walk. Mark it first. Fix the top three after.
Touch The Gear
Press buttons. Open lids. Turn knobs. A lantern that worked last year may not work today.
Start small engines only if it is safe and you know the maker’s instructions. If you own a generator, stale fuel and dead batteries are common failures.
Update The People
Plans change because people change. Kids grow. Jobs move. Neighbors leave. A good plan from last year may now point to the wrong school or wrong phone number.
Ask your household one question: where do we meet if we cannot come home?
What To Do Today
Spend ten minutes making a monthly checklist on paper.
Put it with your flashlights so you can find it again.