Tell Us About Your Emergency Preparations and We'll Guess What State You Are From

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
6 min
Tell Us About Your Emergency Preparations and We'll Guess What State You Are From
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About This Quiz

You never know when life will throw you a curveball in the shape of an emergency situation. Like anyone, there's a good chance you're at least somewhat prepared to handle it. Once you walk us through the things you have squirreled away for when you need them, we'll be able to figure out what state you're from. Will we be able to get it right? 

Each part of the country faces a different set of weather challenges, but every area experiences some common inconveniences. Every state in the union has dealt with power outages and water problems, but will your unique stockpile of emergency items give away where you live? During this quiz, we'll sort through the way you've prepared yourself for the unknown. You don't need to check off all the items we ask about on your list, but knowing what you've already gathered will be helpful.

Once you lay out your supplies like you're doing inventory, they'll make a giant rescue arrow that points to your home state. Even if you're not a big prepper, the things you keep in your cupboards can give it away. But are you prepping for issues in the place you're from? Or will we need to call for rescue because we went off the beaten path and got lost? Answer the questions, and find out!

Firewood
Unsplash by Andreas Paju
How big is the stack of firewood you have stored outside your home?
I have a 30-day supply or so.
What stack of firewood?
It will get me through a day or two.
I have enough for a couple of romantic dinners.
Phone
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Do you have more than one emergency contact saved in your phone?
I keep forgetting to add one.
There's a small directory of people listed as emergency contacts.
I only have one.
I think I have two or three, but I should have more.
Radio
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Your battery-powered radio is charged up and ready to go, right?
No, but I have a crank-style radio.
You bet!
I might want to get some extra batteries.
I don't need a radio; I have a phone.

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Dog Food
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What's your pet food supply like? Will it last for at least a week?
It looks like we'll be sharing my milk and bread sandwiches.
They'll be good for at least a month.
I think I have a week's supply — maybe more.
I don't have pets.
Fire Extinguisher
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Would we find a fire extinguisher in your kitchen or your garage?
Both!
I have one in my car, too.
If you could see me cook, you would understand why I have one in the kitchen.
I'm not sure I have one, but there might be one in the garage.
Cupboards
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Look inside your cupboards — which item is the most plentiful?
Canned vegetables
Ramen noodles
Rice and dried beans
Coffee

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Flashlight
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How many working flashlights do you keep around?
I have a few, but I'm not sure the batteries are charged.
I think there's one in the junk drawer.
I try to keep one in the kitchen, one in the car, one beside my bed and a couple of others.
I use the flashlight on my phone for everything.
Bracelet
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Do you keep something on you that lets others know about your allergies and medical conditions?
I wear a bracelet with that information.
It's stored in my phone. If not, my emergency contacts know about them.
I have a card in my wallet.
Thankfully, I don't have either issue.
Gas
Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy/Cultura/Getty Images
Before you get more gas, how low do you let your tank get?
I never let it go past a quarter of a tank.
I try to keep it full.
I fill up at the halfway mark.
I wait until the light comes on.

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Cash
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Would you describe your emergency cash fund as substantial?
I don't need it; I can live off the land.
I have a few bucks in my wallet.
I keep some cash squirreled away in the mattress.
It could be bigger, but I'll survive.
Bleach
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In case you need to sanitize something, are there a couple of bottles of bleach in your pantry?
No, but I have some bleach wipes.
I have quite a few bottles of bleach.
I think I have one in the laundry room.
I don't, but I do have some alcohol in the bathroom cupboards.
Can Opener
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Could you open canned foods without the aid of an electric can opener?
I keep a few manual can openers around.
I'm sure I could pry it open with a knife.
I've never thought about it! I guess I need to get a hand-operated opener.
If I were hungry, I would find a way to open it.

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First Aid
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Are you the owner of at least two fully stocked first aid kits?
I have enough first aid supplies to perform minor surgery.
I only have one.
I have a couple in the house and one in the car.
I really could stand to get a first aid kit.
Whistle
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Do you carry a whistle or a personal alarm you could use to draw attention to yourself?
I only carry my phone.
No, but I can scream really loud.
I carry one or both of those.
I have other forms of personal protection.
Blanket
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When winter rolls around, do you keep a blanket in your car?
I keep a blanket in my car all year round.
I don't have a need for it.
I don't, but I keep extra clothes in there.
I keep a blanket, a flare and a bag of cat litter in my car during the winter months.

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Match
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Are you keeping some matches in a moisture-resistant container?
Of course!
Lighters are more reliable.
I have matches, but I've never thought about putting them in a container.
I'm adding matches to my shopping list.
Power
Deborah Pendell/Moment/Getty Images
In the event of a power outage, how would you keep yourself entertained?
My family gets that job.
I have a few projects I can finish up.
Board games always do the trick.
Power outages are best spent sleeping.
Water
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Can you honestly say that you have a three-day supply of water stored?
I don't need it. I have a natural water supply nearby.
I do! I have three gallons per person stashed away.
I could do better in that department.
I have a 24-hour supply in the fridge.

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Cabinet
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What medicine cabinet item do you keep stocked up for emergencies?
Hydrogen peroxide
Medications
Band-Aids
Wet wipes
Duct
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Do you have a roll of duct tape that you can use to seal off windows?
I have several of them!
I'm sure there's one in the garage.
I have a kit that includes plastic sheeting and duct tape.
I don't, but it's not a bad idea to get some.
Glasses
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Where do you keep a backup pair of glasses?
I don't wear glasses.
They're in a drawer somewhere.
I keep backup contact lenses.
I only have one pair of glasses.

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Copy
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Have you made copies of all your important documents and IDs?
I have a few copies of them.
I've copied most of them.
I need to get on that!
I know I have a copy of my ID.
Assembly
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Does everyone in your home have an escape route memorized?
I'm the only one here.
We could have a better plan.
The adults know it.
Everyone knows exactly what to do.
Cooler
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Other than the fridge, do you know where you would keep your food cool?
The root cellar
A cooler with ice
The basement
Hopefully, it's cold outside when I need to worry about it.

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Go Bag
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Some call it a go bag or a bug out bag — do you have one?
I have more than one!
My emergency supplies are in a certain room.
I need to put one together.
I keep a go bag at work.
Meds
Tom Merton/OJO Images/Getty Images
Do you keep a stockpile of non-prescription medications in your home?
I wouldn't call it a stockpile, but I have enough for a month or so.
I don't use a lot of non-prescription medications.
No, but I do stock up on my prescriptions.
I have enough for my family and my neighbors.
Help
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If you needed to let rescuers know your location, what do you have that could do the job?
A mirror
A flare
A flag
A Sharpie and some cardboard

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Raincoat
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Would we find a poncho or raincoat in your emergency kit?
No, but I've added a few garbage bags.
I keep a poncho on me at all times.
I have rain boots but no poncho or raincoat.
I'm not sure I have what you might call an emergency kit.
Tools
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Which one of these tools is the most important to keep around?
Hammer
Wrench
Screwdriver
Machete
Warm
harpazo_hope/Moment/Getty Images
Do you have enough blankets to keep you warm if the heat went out?
I'm sure my supply is adequate.
I could use a few more.
I'm short on blankets, but I could layer my clothes.
I have enough blankets for everyone on the block.

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