Evacuation kits: What to put in a go-bag, plus what supplies to keep at home and in the car
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A go-bag is a key piece of preparing for an earthquake, a wildfire or anything other evacuation order.
WHAT ARE THE KITS YOU NEED
Go-bag: Daypack or small duffel light enough to be carried – one for each member of the household. This should contain necessities if you have to leave your home suddenly because of earthquake, wildfire, flooding or other evacuation order. Keep it packed and ready to grab and go.
Car kit / work kit: Basics for at least 24 hours in each vehicle and at your workplace, in case you’re away from your go-bag.
Stay kit: A box of larger items for a stay of three days either in or near your home during an emergency or to put in your vehicle before you drive to safety.
WHERE SHOULD THEY BE KEPT
Though it seems convenient to keep the go-bag in your car, consider a) whether the car is sure to be near you at the crucial time and b) the security implications of keeping personal documents and valuables in your vehicle. For most people, it will make more sense to have a smaller kit in the car and keep the go-bag inside the home, in a place that it is easily reached.
If you have supplies in more than one place, put a note to that effect in or near the go-bag. (For instance: “Get black document pouch from fireproof box in Mike’s office. Put Felix in his carrier, which is in the laundry room. The stay kit is in the blue plastic bin on the garage shelf.”) Also consider taping a note near the bag that lists its contents. The goal is to be able to assemble everything you need to evacuate within a matter of minutes, without having to stop and think about where you’ve put things.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CHECK THEM
Designate a date to check your supplies every year. Rotate out food, batteries and medications before they become stale. Make sure your kids’ spare clothes and shoes fit. Update the information on your flash drive. Recharge your power block.
WHAT TO PUT IN THEM
This will be different for each household, and the go-bag must remain light enough to be carried. Prepacked go-bags can be bought from emergency-supply businesses. A suggested checklist:
Car/work kit
Water, blanket, sweatshirt, sturdy shoes, first aid kit, flashlight with batteries, any crucial medications.
Go-bag
(It’s assumed that each adult will have phone, keys, credit/debit card and identification and that each pet will be on a leash or in a carrier.)
Water: This will be limited by the weight and what you have room for. Two quarts weighs 4 pounds.
Food: Non-perishable food that doesn’t require preparation, like granola bars, dried fruit, tuna in a pouch, sturdy crackers and squeeze peanut butter.
Pet food and bowl
Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
Mylar emergency blanket
Flashlight
Whistle
Lighter, or matches in a waterproof container
Paper and pencil
Cash ($100 in small bills)
First aid kit
Prescription medicine
Spare prescription glasses
Hand sanitizer
Portable radio (battery-powered or hand-crank)
Extra batteries
Phone charger
Swiss Army knife
N95 mask for smoke/particulate protection
Irreplaceable jewelry or other small keepsakes
Documents (digital and paper) in a waterproof bag
• Some documents that you will want in the long term if your home is damaged (household inventory, insurance policy, treasured photographs) can be stored on your phone or on a flash drive that you keep in your go-bag.
• You’ll want paper copies of some items, including anything you’ll need accessible if you don’t have a working mobile phone or laptop:
· Emergency phone numbers
· Prescriptions
· Hard-to-replace personal documents, such as passports and birth certificates
· Recent photograph of each family member and pet. On the back, write the name, date of birth and physical characteristics, and the name and phone number of your out-of-area contact person.
Also consider: Laptop computer, charged power block and connector cords, external hard drive containing backup files
Kid’s go-bag
Clothes and shoes
Water and food
Flashlight, whistle, hand sanitizer
Emergency Mylar blanket
Book, game, comfort item
Stay kit (in addition to go-bag)
Water: One gallon per person per day for at least three days (for washing as well as drinking)
Food: Three days of nonperishable food
Pet supplies: Additional food and water
Mess kits or plates/utensils/cups
Manual can opener
Blankets or sleeping bags
Paper towels, wet wipes, garbage bags
Dish soap and bleach
Plastic sheeting, duct tape, zip ties
Wrench or pliers
Work gloves
Also consider: Fire extinguisher; books and games; camping equipment such as stove, water purifier, tent, lantern
Related: How to set up a family emergency plan
