Preparing For Evacuation GO-BAG

A go-bag is similar to your emergency preparedness kit, but on a smaller scale because you need to be able to grab and go when an evacuation is called. This should be always packed and ready to grab at a moment’s notice.


Here are some tips on what you should buy:
Flashlight with fresh batteries (check them regularly)
Emergency weather radio
Spare batteries (check them regularly)
Emergency stash of cash in small denominations, including quarters for phone calls at payphones
Pocket knife
Butane lighter or matches
Permanent market, tape and paper
One to two bottles of water per person
Non-perishable snack foods
Extra house and vehicle keys
Food and water for pets
Sturdy shoes
Change of clothing (consider changing climates)
Hat
Local maps (Internet-based maps and GPS service may be disrupted in an emergency)
Jackets
Dust masks
A small first aid kit

In addition to these items that you will buy, make sure your go-bag has a list of any medical conditions or allergies your family members have. Also, pack any special-needs items for people in your family who are disabled, young or elderly.  Finally, add in all important paperwork. This includes copies of your driver’s license, bank account information, passport, children’s birth certificates and emergency contact numbers. Print paper photos of all family members to put in the bag in case you are separated. Remember, you may not be able to pull up a recent photo on your phone to help first responders locate your lost loved one.

Tools

No matter how carefully you pack food and medical supplies, if you don’t have some basic tools, you can’t survive in an emergency where all supplies are cut off. You don’t need a lot of tools to get through a disaster, but you should have some on hand. Here are some tools that are great for most emergencies:

• Tools for food – Make sure you have a manual can opener and utensils, preferably disposable, you can use to eat the food you have stashed.
• Pocket knife – Make sure you can pry open items and cut through small debris with a pocket knife.
• Scissors – They’re easy to forget about until you don’t have them, but make sure your emergency preparedness stash has some scissors.
• Non-electric fan or heater – Protect your family in extreme weather, but make sure you can power the fan or heater you purchase.
• Basic tool kit – You never know when you will need a wrench, hammer or screwdriver, so stash a small, high-quality tool kit in your emergency preparedness area. Consider an adjustable wrench for most applications
• Rope – From rescues to tying down supplies, a rope is handy to have on hand.
• Collapsible shovel – From digging latrines to digging out of rubble after an earthquake, a shovel can come in handy in an emergency.
• Fixed-blade knife –Sometimes a pocket knife or scissors aren’t going to cut it, but a sturdy fixed-blade knife can get you through an emergency.
• Tent – If you can’t stay in your home due to safety, a tent gives you some shelter.
• Fire extinguisher – A dry chemical fire extinguisher can protect your home if fires pop up after an emergency.
• Tarp – Use this to cover broken windows or holes in the roof.

Personal Care Items:

You are going to want some personal care items in your emergency supply kit. It’s easy to overlook some of these, so having a checklist will ensure you have everything you need. Here is a list of some must-haves that everyone will need:

• Soap
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Hairbrush
• Feminine products
• Toilet paper
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Eyeglasses (even if you wear contacts)
• Safety pins
• Needle and thread
• Towels
• Washcloths
• Baby wipes
• Changes of clothing and undergarments