What You May Need
If you need to leave from your home, it will be important that you are ready to go as quickly as possible. Having a “Go Bag” in an accessible place ensures that you and your family are prepared for whatever situation arises. Storing a Go Bag in your car will ensure that you have some essential supplies any time that you are in your car. Emergencies may not always occur when you are at your home. Having critical supplies with you can ease your response in an emergency or can even save a life.Go Bag Guidelines:
- Each member of your household should have his or her own Go Bag.
- Go Bags should be easy to carry and sturdy such as a backpack or duffle bag.
- Go Bags should be stored in an easily accessible location. Ideally, you should keep a Go Bag at your home, in your car, and at work.
- Go Bags should be prepared for any time of year.
- Go Bags should be updated every six months.
Go Bag List:
Bottled water, Flashlight, Battery-operated AM/FM Radio, Extra batteries (check the necessary types), Pocketknife, Whistle, Backup prescription medications, Small first aid kit, Extra house and car keys, A blanket, Raingear, A hat, Comfortable, sturdy shoes, Warm clothes, Extra pair of glasses and/or hearing aids, Toilet paper, Plastic garbage bags, Soap, Toothbrush and toothpaste, Feminine hygiene products, A copy of your communications plan card, A regional map, Special needs items for members of your family, especially children, seniors or people with disabilities, and pets. Paper, pens, and tape – in case you need to leave a message somewhere, Dust mask, Spare Cell Phone, Battery, Cash – preferably in small denominations, Coins for pay phones, Copies of important documents in a waterproof container (i.e. IDs, insurance information, proof of address, passports, etc.), A recent family photo for identification purposes – make sure everyone’s face (even the pets) can be seen clearly.