If a hurricane, tornado, flood, wildfire or other emergency forces you to evacuate your home, you’ll need to take the essentials with you. A grab-and-go bag is an important part of your family’s emergency action plan.
The purpose of a grab-and-go bag is to ensure your critical items are readily available at a moment’s notice. When a disaster occurs, you likely won’t have the luxury of time to gather these items or sift through closets and drawers to decide what to take. All of that must be determined beforehand as part of your emergency plan.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross offer the following suggestions on how to prepare your family for an evacuation.
Plan for an evacuation
- Identify local evacuation routes and public shelters.
- Devise a plan for how to transport and shelter your pets.
- Research any assistance that may be available for people with special needs (elderly, disabled, those with medical conditions, etc.).
- Learn first aid and CPR. (The American Red Cross and American Heart Association offer classes.)
- Create a family emergency response plan, including a meeting place if you get separated.
- Program your cell phone with an emergency contact number.
- Prepare a grab-and-go kit.
Assemble your grab-and-go kit
Here are a few suggestions:
- A duffle bag, backpack, suitcase or other suitable container that is easy to carry
- Avoid trunks and totes.
- A written contents list with expiration dates noted for first-aid supplies, food, etc.
- Schedule a six-month review of contents in your calendar and replace items as needed.
- A supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
- Replace water?every six months.
- A supply of nonperishable packaged or canned food and a manual can opener
- Small and lightweight packaging is preferred.
- A change of clothing
- Include underwear and extra socks.
- A water-repellent jacket or rain gear
- A travel-size toiletry kit with deodorant, toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, soap and sanitary napkins
- Blankets or sleeping bags with small pillows
- A small flashlight, portable crank radio and extra batteries
- An extra pair of glasses
- Take glasses instead of contact lenses in case you don’t have access to cleaners.
- Credit cards and cash
- If electricity is out, you may not be able to use ATMs or pay by card.
- An extra set of car keys
- Written phone numbers for friends and relatives
- It helps to have both in- and out-of-state contacts in the event of a widespread disaster.
- A list of family physicians and copies of health insurance cards
- Photo identification, such as a driver’s license, government ID or passport
- Copies of social security cards, birth certificates and vehicle titles
- Items for infants (diapers, bottles, formula, etc.), the elderly and those with disabilities or special needs
- A list of serial numbers for medical devices, such as pacemakers
- A list of prescription medications, including dosages
- Do not store actual medications if they have a short shelf life.
Do not store your grab-and-go bag in your vehicle or in an uncontrolled climate, such as a storage unit or garage. Water, food, batteries and other contents are temperature sensitive. Instead, keep it somewhere in your home that’s easily accessible.
Remember that this bag is for emergencies, not comfort. Include essential items only.
If you must evacuate
As you leave, remember to:
- Take prescription medications in their prescription bottles.
- Shut off electricity, gas and water at the main switches and valves.
- Put on a pair of sturdy shoes.
- If possible, contact a friend or relative to let them know when and where you are going.
What to keep in your vehicle
- Booster cables
- A vehicle phone charger
- A pack of emergency flares or lights
- Extra blankets
- A small shovel
- A 5-pound fire extinguisher
- A first-aid kit
- Maps or a road atlas (Don’t count on your GPS, as cell towers may not be working.)
- Small packs of bottled water and high-energy foods like granola bars, peanut butter and raisins
- A solar-powered cell phone battery charger
Having a well-thought-out emergency bag can help you react quickly, buying your family precious time. With a little planning, you can help keep your loved ones safe in the event of an emergency.
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