Here’s a clear breakdown of the “things to do” over the next 15 days, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 3.


Stage 1: Days 15–13 (Today through Wednesday) — Take Stock (mostly free)

- Confirm your "voting plan": polling place, hours, and whether early or absentee voting is still available in your area. Check your local election office or Vote.gov.

- Walk through every room (kitchen, bathroom, laundry, pet area, etc.) and ask: If you couldn’t run unnecessary errands for 2 weeks, what would run out first?

- Count **complete meals** (breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks) for everyone — aim to cover 7–14 days. Prioritize several no-cook / low-water / low-cleanup options.

- Physically locate and test your manual can opener.

- Pull out flashlights, turn them on, and confirm they work.

- Write important phone numbers down on paper.


Stage 2: Days 12–9 (Thursday through Sunday) — Water & Medications

- **Water**: Aim for at least 1 gallon per person per day (CDC) or 2 gallons (her preference). Start with 3 days and build toward 2 weeks if possible. Store extra for pregnancy, illness, pets, or hot weather. Fill clean containers from the tap, date them, and plan to replace self-bottled water every ~6 months.

- **Medications**: Check every refill date and call your pharmacist on Thursday. Aim for a 7–10 day supply. Make a backup plan for powered medical devices (oxygen, CPAP, etc.) or temperature-sensitive meds (e.g., insulin). Ask the pharmacist how long refrigerated items stay safe out of the fridge.


Stage 3: Days 8–5 (Monday–Thursday of next week) — Fill Gaps

- On your normal shopping trips, add the gaps you found in Stage 1 (no special panic run needed). Finish by Thursday.

- Focus on: a few no-cook meals your household will actually eat; toilet paper, soap, trash bags, feminine hygiene products, diapers/incontinence supplies; pet food and litter.

- Buy a little at a time as money allows.


Stage 4: Days 4–2 (Friday through the weekend before the election) — Household Plans & Top Off

- Sit down with everyone and agree on:
  1. How you’ll check in with each other,
  2. Who can help if needed,
  3. Where you could go if home becomes unsafe.

- Include pets, anyone who needs a ride or extra help, and possibly a neighbor who lives alone.

- Know an alternate route home in case the usual road is closed.

- Set your information sources: local emergency management, phone emergency alerts, and trusted local news.

- Top off: fuel or charge the car, charge phones and power banks, and (if affordable) keep a modest amount of cash in small bills.


Stage 5: Day 1 (Monday, the day before Election Day)

- Run ordinary errands (prescriptions, library books, dry cleaning, etc.) so you’re not doing them right around election day.

- Make a good dinner from the pantry and go to bed early.

- Election Day (Tuesday, November 3) and the days after

- Follow your voting plan and treat the day like any other ordinary day.

- Monitor local conditions through official local sources only (verified threats, road closures, emergency instructions).

- Extra safety notes mentioned: keep fridge/freezer closed if power goes out; never run a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors or in a garage; leave if your home becomes unsafe.