Disaster preparedness days are scheduled reminders to practice what protects us when emergencies strike. From national drills to UN observances, these dates are designed to move people from awareness to action: checking kits, reviewing plans, and rehearsing how to respond.

This guide maps the most recognized preparedness days worldwide, explains why those dates were chosen, and shows how to track them with countdowns and practical checklists you can actually use.

What are disaster-readiness days?

Disaster-readiness days are officially recognized observances focused on emergency preparedness, risk reduction, and community resilience. They might be national (tied to a country’s historic event), regional (covering specific hazards like hurricanes or tsunamis), or global (anchored by the United Nations).

• They promote specific actions: drills, kit checks, evacuation route reviews, and risk education.
• They concentrate attention annually, helping people build habits and improve response speed when it counts.
• They often align with hazard seasons (e.g., hurricanes) or anniversary dates of major disasters.

Key dates on the global preparedness calendar

International observances

• International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) — October 13: Established by the United Nations, this day spotlights strategies to prevent and reduce disaster risk. It evolved from earlier UN efforts that focused on disaster reduction, and its fixed October date helps synchronize campaigns worldwide.
• World Tsunami Awareness Day — November 5: Inspired by the Japanese story of “Inamura-no-hi” (the burning of rice sheaves to warn of a tsunami) from 1854, this UN day emphasizes early warning systems and coastal readiness.
• Global ShakeOut Earthquake Drills — October (usually the third Thursday): What began in California has become the world’s largest earthquake drill, with tens of millions practicing “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” each year across schools, workplaces, and households.
• CARIBE WAVE — March (annually): A Caribbean-wide tsunami exercise coordinated with international partners that tests alerting, evacuation, and communication across coastal communities.
• ASEAN Day for Disaster Management — October 13: Aligned with the UN’s IDDRR, ASEAN member states use this day to highlight regional risk reduction and preparedness initiatives.

Country spotlights and why those dates were chosen

• Japan — Disaster Prevention Day (September 1): Marked since 1960, this date commemorates the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and coincides with peak typhoon season. Nationwide drills, public warnings, and education campaigns reinforce a culture of preparedness.
• Mexico — National Civil Protection Day (September 19): A solemn date remembering the 1985 Mexico City earthquake; annual drills are held, and in 2017 another devastating quake struck the same day, reinforcing the need for yearly practice.
• United States — National Preparedness Month (September): Led by FEMA’s Ready Campaign since 2004, September’s timing aligns with the height of hurricane season. Related observances include Hurricane Preparedness Week (typically early May), Wildfire Community Preparedness Day (first Saturday in May), and the Great ShakeOut in October.
• Indonesia — Disaster Preparedness Day (April 26): Known as “Hari Kesiapsiagaan Bencana,” nationwide drills and public education emphasize readiness in one of the world’s most hazard-exposed countries.
• Philippines — National Disaster Resilience Month (July): A month-long focus during monsoon season, complemented by quarterly Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drills and community-led flood/typhoon preparedness actions.
• India — National Disaster Day (October 29): Observed in memory of the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, this day draws attention to cyclone readiness, early warnings, and resilient infrastructure.
• Nepal — National Earthquake Safety Day (mid-January): Observed around mid-January (the 2nd of the Nepali month of Magh), it commemorates historic quakes and promotes safer construction, school drills, and community response training.
• New Zealand — Get Ready Week (October) and NZ ShakeOut: A national campaign culminating in an earthquake and tsunami drill, aligned with global ShakeOut timing and the school calendar.
• Europe — 112 Day (February 11): Promotes awareness of the 112 emergency number across the EU and neighboring countries, often paired with basic preparedness messaging for households and travelers.

Why preparedness dates matter

Preparedness days work because they create predictable, recurring prompts. Whether your hazard is earthquakes, cyclones, floods, wildfires, or winter storms, these days help you:

• Schedule annual kit checks and plan updates
• Practice drills you might otherwise postpone
• Coordinate with schools, workplaces, and neighbors
• Connect actions to local seasonal risks (e.g., before hurricane or wildfire season)

Research consistently shows that rehearsed behaviors reduce reaction time and improve survival odds. Drills also expose small gaps—dead phone batteries, blocked exits, expired supplies—before they become big problems.

How to track preparedness days with countdowns and reminders

Build a simple preparedness calendar

• Create a dedicated calendar (Google, Apple, Outlook) named “Preparedness.”
• Add recurring all-day events for key dates: Sept 1 (Japan), Sept 19 (Mexico), IDDRR Oct 13, ShakeOut (3rd Thu of Oct), Nov 5 (Tsunami Awareness), Apr 26 (Indonesia), July (Philippines), plus local/state weeks for hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.
• Attach a short checklist to each event (e.g., “Practice Drop, Cover, Hold On; refresh water; test smoke alarms”).

Use countdowns to build momentum

• Set reminders 30, 7, and 1 day prior to each observance.
• On phones, add a lock-screen widget or homescreen countdown to the next drill date.
• For teams, pin a countdown in Slack/Teams or your intranet; schedule a brief safety huddle the week before.

Automate where possible

• Subscribe to public ICS calendars where available (e.g., regional ShakeOut calendars), or export/import your own so family or co-workers receive updates automatically.
• Use a task app (Todoist, Microsoft To Do, Notion) with repeating tasks tied to dates for kit rotation, battery checks, and evacuation practice.
• Set location-based reminders (e.g., when you arrive at the office, run the evacuation route once per quarter).

Turn awareness into action: checklists you’ll actually use

Attach a focused, 15–30 minute checklist to each observance. Over a year, these micro-actions add up to robust readiness without overwhelming your schedule.

Core household checklist (quarterly)

• People: Update emergency contacts; confirm a family meetup point; review how to text when networks are congested.
• Place: Identify two exits per room; practice turning off water, gas (if trained), and electricity.
• Provisions: Check the 3–7 day kit (water, food, meds, pet supplies, baby needs); replace expired items; add cash in small bills.
• Protection: Test smoke/CO alarms; check fire extinguishers; secure heavy furniture and top-heavy items.
• Power/Comms: Charge power banks; verify flashlight batteries; review radio options (NOAA/AM-FM); label chargers.
• Papers: Back up IDs, insurance, and medical info to a secure cloud + encrypted USB; store originals in a water/fire-resistant container.

Earthquake drill checklist (ShakeOut and regional dates)

• Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” for 60 seconds in each room.
• Identify sturdy cover options and “safe spots” away from glass and heavy objects.
• In offices/schools, walk primary and secondary evacuation routes; note stairwells and assembly points.

Tsunami/coastal readiness (Nov 5 and local exercises)

• Know your zone: check local tsunami maps and elevation markers.
• Time your evacuation route to high ground; plan for night-time and no-car scenarios.
• Pack a “go-bag” that’s easy to grab from work or school.

Storm and flood season (spring–summer in many regions)

• Review flood insurance deadlines and coverage; document possessions with photos.
• Clear gutters/drains; stash tarps, sandbags, and plastic sheeting if you’re flood-prone.
• Prepare a 3–5 day power outage kit (water, shelf-stable foods, cooler ice packs, medication plan).

Wildfire readiness (late spring through autumn)

• Create defensible space: clear dry vegetation; move firewood away from structures.
• Assemble an evacuation list by priority (people, pets, papers, priceless, prescriptions, PCs/phones).
• Prepare N95/FFP2 respirators for smoke; check your vehicle’s fuel and go-bag.

Sample annual rhythm that aligns with major dates

• January: Align with Nepal’s Earthquake Safety Day. Strap tall furniture; review home evacuation routes; update winter storm kit.
• March: CARIBE WAVE. If coastal, walk your tsunami route; refresh emergency radio and batteries. Review spring flood risks.
• April 26: Indonesia’s Preparedness Day. Audit your family communication plan; run a 10-minute flashlight and power bank check.
• May: U.S. Hurricane Preparedness Week and Wildfire Prep Day. Update insurance documentation; stock hurricane/wildfire kits; trim vegetation.
• July: Philippines’ National Disaster Resilience Month. Practice a family evacuation drive; check monsoon/flood supplies.
• September: Japan’s Disaster Prevention Day (Sept 1) and U.S. National Preparedness Month. Rotate water; test alarms; run a family comms drill. Mexico’s Sept 19 drill: practice earthquake procedures.
• October: IDDRR (Oct 13) and Global ShakeOut (third Thursday). Do a full workplace/school drill; rehearse your home shelter plans; review first-aid skills.
• November 5: World Tsunami Awareness Day. Coastal households confirm evacuation signage and reunification points; prep for winter storms.

Who participates—and how big are these drills?

Participation spans schools, hospitals, offices, factories, and entire cities. The Great ShakeOut alone engages tens of millions worldwide every October, from kindergartners to high-rise tenants. UN-led observances rally governments and NGOs, while country-specific days mobilize local emergency services, volunteers, and media for public education.

Tips for schools and workplaces

• Make it short and real: A 10–15 minute drill with relevant scenarios beats a long lecture.
• Assign roles: Wardens, accountability checkers, first-aid leads, and communications liaisons.
• Practice accessibility: Include evacuation assistance for mobility, vision, or hearing needs; ensure backup power for critical devices.
• Debrief fast: Identify one improvement per drill (e.g., signage, lighting, spare keys).
• Document and iterate: Log times, issues, and fixes; tie annual training to the global calendar so it actually happens.

Making the most of “Preparedness on the Calendar”

The goal isn’t to collect observances—it’s to build dependable habits. Pick the global and local dates that match your risks, add countdowns and reminders, and attach small, specific tasks. Over time, you’ll create a living preparedness plan that’s easy to maintain and ready when you need it.

FAQ

What is the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction?

It’s a UN observance on October 13 that promotes policies and actions to reduce disaster risk. Governments, schools, and communities worldwide host events, share data, and run drills.

When is the Great ShakeOut, and what do I do?

ShakeOut happens every October, usually on the third Thursday. At the set time, participants practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” for about a minute, then follow local guidance for evacuation or safety checks.

Why does Japan observe Disaster Prevention Day on September 1?

It commemorates the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and coincides with peak typhoon season, reinforcing both earthquake and storm preparedness across the country.

How can I track preparedness days without getting overwhelmed?

Create a single “Preparedness” calendar with recurring events, add 30/7/1-day reminders, and attach a short checklist to each date. Keep tasks to 15–30 minutes so you’ll actually do them.

What should be in a basic emergency kit?

Water (at least 3 days), shelf-stable food, medications, first-aid, flashlight, radio, batteries, phone chargers/power banks, hygiene items, cash, copies of important documents, and pet/baby supplies as needed.

Are there preparedness days for floods, hurricanes, or wildfires?

Yes. Many countries run seasonal weeks (e.g., U.S. Hurricane Preparedness Week in May, state flood awareness weeks, and wildfire preparedness campaigns). Align your kit checks and evacuation practice with those periods.

How can workplaces integrate these observances?

Map drills and safety talks to global and national dates, assign roles, run brief but realistic exercises, address accessibility, and log improvements after each drill.