For years, emergency planners across British Columbia shared a simple reminder with families:

When the clocks change, check your emergency kit.

Spring forward? Replace expired food, water, and batteries.
Fall back? Update medications, clothing sizes for kids, and important documents.

It was easy. The reminder was built right into our calendars.But in British Columibia this is now changing. British Columbia has made the decision to stop switching between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time, meaning the familiar “spring forward” and “fall back” reminders will disappear.

So what does that mean for preparedness?

Honestly, it simply means we need a new habit. And that might actually be a good thing. Preparedness isn’t about doing something once. It’s about creating small habits that keep us ready when something unexpected happens. Instead of relying on a time change, we can create our own meaningful reminders throughout the year to keep our disaster kits up to date.

Here are a few ideas that work well.

Pick Two Easy Dates to Remember

Your disaster kit should be reviewed at least twice a year. Linking it to memorable dates makes it much easier to remember. Some options include:

Halloween & Easter
Two recognizable seasonal markers. When the decorations come out, it’s time to check the kit.

Canada Day & New Year’s Day
Start the year prepared and refresh again mid-summer.

Back to School & Spring Break
Great reminders for families with school-aged kids.

The important thing isn’t the date. The important thing is creating the habit.

Put It in Your Calendar

The easiest solution might also be the simplest. Set two recurring reminders in your phone calendar:

• April – Spring Disaster Kit Check
• October – Fall Disaster Kit Check

Label them something clear like:

“Update Disaster Kit – 15 minutes.”

Because that’s really all it takes. Fifteen minutes twice a year can make a huge difference when an emergency happens.

What Should You Check?

When your reminder pops up, take a few minutes to review:

✔ Replace expired food and water
✔ Check batteries and flashlights
✔ Update medications
✔ Swap seasonal clothing
✔ Update copies of important documents
✔ Check supplies for pets
✔ Adjust items for growing kids

A quick check now prevents bigger problems later.

Preparedness Is About Habits

Prepared families aren’t prepared because they bought a kit once. They’re prepared because they maintain it. The clock change used to be our built-in reminder. Now we simply need to create our own, and linking preparedness to meaningful moments in the year might actually make it even easier to remember.

One Simple Question

If you had to leave your home tonight with only what’s in your grab-and-go kit…Would it still work for your family today? If the answer is “maybe,” it might be time for a quick update.

Preparedness doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s just a 15-minute check and a simple reminder. f you know someone who hasn’t checked their emergency kit in years, this might be a good reminder to send them this article.

About the Author

Jackie Kloosterboer is an Emergency Support Services trainer and disaster preparedness educator with Survive-It Disaster Preparedness, helping families and communities take simple steps to be ready for emergencies before they happen.

For more simple preparedness tips, follow along or share this article with someone who should check their disaster kit today.