Nobody thinks about earthquakes until one happens. Nobody checks their smoke detector batteries until the chirping starts at 3 AM. And almost nobody has an emergency plan that accounts for a baby who can't walk, can't feed themselves, and can't communicate what they need.
But emergencies don't care about your readiness level. So let's fix that.
Fire: the Most Common Emergency
House fires give you about 2-3 minutes to get out. That's not a lot of time when you need to grab a baby from a crib, possibly in the dark, possibly with smoke making it hard to see and breathe.
Practice your exit route. Actually walk it. At night. With your eyes closed. Know where the crib is relative to the door by feel. Keep the path between your bedroom and the nursery clear of clutter.
Smoke detectors should be in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Test them monthly. Replace batteries yearly. Replace the entire detector every 10 years. This is boring advice and it saves lives.
If your baby sleeps in a separate room, keep a pair of shoes and a flashlight by your bed. You don't want to be barefoot on broken glass or stumbling in the dark while carrying an infant.
Your Emergency bag
You should have a go-bag for baby emergencies. Not a full doomsday prepper setup — just the basics packed in a bag you can grab in 60 seconds.
- What goes in it:
- 3 days of formula or shelf-stable baby food
- Diapers and wipes (enough for 3 days)
- A change of clothes for baby and you
- A small first aid kit
- Any medications baby takes
- Copies of important documents (in a waterproof bag)
- A phone charger and battery pack
- Cash (ATMs don't work in power outages)
- A blanket or sleep sack
- Bottled water
Keep this bag in a closet near your main exit. Check it every 3 months to swap out expired food and sized-out diapers.
Earthquake Prep
If you're in earthquake country, secure heavy furniture. Furniture anchoring is key and appliances. Water heaters, bookshelves, and TVs can all topple. Anchor them to the wall.
During shaking, protect your baby with your body. If they're in a crib, the crib is actually a decent shelter — it has sides that can catch falling debris. Don't try to run with the baby during the shaking; get under a sturdy table or doorframe and shield them.
After the shaking stops, check for gas leaks (smell for rotten eggs), check the structure for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. Have your go-bag ready.
Storm and Power Outage Prep
Power outages are the most likely emergency you'll face, and they're annoying with a baby. No bottle warmer, no white noise machine, no night light.
Keep a manual can opener if your baby eats canned food. Have extra batteries for any battery-powered baby devices. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio keeps you informed when your phone dies.
If you use an electric breast pump, consider a manual backup. If your baby's formula needs to be mixed with warm water, know that you can use room temperature water in an emergency — it's safe, just less familiar to baby.
Communication Plan
Pick an out-of-area contact that both you and your partner can call. Local phone lines often get jammed in emergencies, but long-distance calls sometimes go through.
Know where your local emergency shelters are. Call ahead about baby accommodations — not all shelters are set up for infants.
The Most Important Thing
Don't let this overwhelm you. You don't need to become a survivalist. You need a bag, a plan, and smoke detectors that work. Do those three things this weekend and you're ahead of 90% of parents.
Emergencies are scary with a baby. But having a plan turns panic into action, and that's the difference that matters.