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Whether you live in an area prone to earthquakes, tornadoes, wildfires, or none of the above, you should have an emergency kit on hand in case you need to evacuate. To protect yourself from panic attacks, be prepared with an emergency kit filled with everything from a first aid kit to personal hygiene items to your family’s birth certificates.
Having an emergency kit or bugout bag on hand is one of the most important safety precautions you can take for an emergency or natural disaster. Emergency services in areas with natural disasters I recommend bringing a go-bag always ready.
The idea behind the go bag is simple. If there is an emergency, you grab your go bag and… to go. It has everything you need to keep you safe and healthy until you can get home. Often it includes your phone, medications, important documents and other supplies. Here are a few ways you can Your phone can save you in an emergencyat.
Reasons Why You Should Pack a Go Bag Now
If you are lucky enough to have a weather warning, you may have more time to evacuate. But many disasters are so damaging because they happen suddenly. At some point, you may need to flee your home to find new shelter because of:
An example of a good go-bag.
- Earthquakes
- Forest fires
- Tornadoes or hurricanes
- Tsunamis
- Floods
- Mudflows
- Ice storms
- Zombie apocalypse (just kidding…) maybe)
Don’t take three days of water with you
Although many experts recommend to a three-day supply of water at home In an emergency, evacuating with that much water can be impractical (especially if you don’t have a car). The alternative is to have a device in your go bag that can convert water from ditches, streams, ponds, and other water sources into clean drinking water.
Some options are the LifeStraw Go Water Bottle ($45) or the GRAYL GeoPress ($100). Both can be attached to the outside of a gym bag, so they don’t take up valuable space in pockets.
Be warned though. Many emergency filtration devices like this one need to be primed with drinking water before they can be used as a dirty water filter. Be sure to read the instructions and prime your bottle before attaching it to your go bag.
Keep an LED flashlight handy
Batteries can be scarce in emergencies, so it’s a good idea to pack a lighting system in your go-bag that can be powered by a renewable resource.
The ThorFire LED Flashlight ($26) can be powered by sunlight or a hand crank. A solar flashlight or a crank that doubles as an AM/FM radio is also a good choice. Here’s a favorite rechargeable lantern that fits in your bag.
What type of travel bag is best?
The city of ChicagoNo stranger to heavy storms, recommends that each member of your household have their own go bag. However, if you are the parent of small children, you can use one large bag to hold everything you need.
Remember, the best kind of bag is one that you can carry. Don’t buy a big duffel bag unless you’re really strong and can carry it. If you’re driving, you want a bag that will fit easily in your car. You don’t want one that’s so big that you have to leave one of the kids behind to carry it.
A hiking backpack with multiple pockets is the best choice. Make sure it is made of sturdy canvas and has a strap that fastens around your chest. This will take some of the pressure off your back if you have to walk a long distance.
Also look for a backpack that has a water reservoir that you can fill with drinking water. These are often called camelbacks or hydration packs. A water-resistant backpack can help keep your gear dry, but you can also line it with a plastic garbage bag.
The Sandpiper of California Emergency Backpack ($125) is an example.
Other essential emergency items to pack
Water and light should be at the top of your list, but there are many other things you should pack in your bag:
- Non-perishable foods: Ready-to-eat meals, also known as MREs, are a popular choice, but freeze-dried products work too. Just make sure they’re lightweight, high in calories and protein, and have a shelf life of months, if not years.
- A good multitool with a knife, pliers, can opener and other tools. We like this lightweight and affordable multitool.
- Paracordalso called 550 cord, can hold up to 250 kilos and is compact, so choose this over regular rope.
- Carabiners: These spring-loaded metal loops have a variety of uses, including attaching items to the outside of your bag.
- A whistle, so you can let others know you need help and not shout.
- Something to make a fire with, such as a lighter or matches.
- Sunscreen.
- A poncho and a clean set of clothes.
- Your family’s prescription medications for a week and copies of your prescriptions. You’ll probably want to throw these in the go bag when you leave, as it’s impractical for most people to keep extras in your bag.
- A small first aid kit with bandages, disinfectant, painkillers and gauze.
- Personal care products such as soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and so on. Place these products in waterproof bags.
- Your extra house and car keys.
- A warm blanket. Put it in a plastic bag, use the hose on your vacuum to suck the air out of the bag and seal it quickly to save space.
- A recent family photo for identification, also in a plastic bag to protect it from moisture.
- Cash in small denominations and coins.
- A regional map and compass so you can find your way without a phone when cell towers and GPS systems are down or busy, or when your battery is dead.
- Paper, pens and tape to leave a message for others.
- A dust mask.
- Copies of important documents such as insurance details, ID cards, proof of address and passports, all in a waterproof plastic bag.
- Your family photos on a USB stick. This is optional, but I like knowing that I have some precious memories of my family with me.
- Pet supplies such as a leash, collapsible water bowl, and food.
More resources for you
Natural disasters and storms will only become more severe and more frequent as climate change increases. While the devastation of these events can be devastating, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your home, and your loved ones from a natural disaster. Here are some additional resources:
