The Worst

“There’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’re prepared for the worst.” (Stephen King)

A Go Bag is a packed case that you grab on your way out the door, and that will help keep you safe and comfortable in the coming hours and days. Stopping to hunt for your medications or other important needs can cost you critical seconds in an evacuation. Pack a separate Go Bag for yourself and every member of your household, and keep them stored in the same location.

Recent natural catastrophes, from hurricanes to western wildfires, are a fresh reminder that disaster can strike at any time. And no area of the country is immune, when you factor in the threat of tornadoes, earthquakes and human disasters like toxic spills. While the circumstances may differ, there’s one tip that every person needs to take from all these situations. It’s how to pack a Go Bag.

Emergency preparation seems to be on everyone's mind whenever inclement weather threatens to hit our corner of the United States. I've always been a person who likes to be prepared, but I'll be honest that getting a Go Bag together has never been a high priority. If disaster strikes, the federal government expects everyone to be self sufficient for at least 3 days (72 hours). In catastrophic circumstances, it might take that long for rescue or help to arrive.

Having enough food and water in the house will be important in an emergency. In the case of a large emergency, there may not be any electricity or gas which means there will be no way to cook or refrigerate your food. Having a large selection of canned, ready-to-eat food will be a huge help. You want to make sure to get canned food that can be eaten directly out of the can and are also calorically dense so items like beans, chili, tuna fish, and canned meat are great items.

My tip is to buy an extra can or two of food when they are on sale. Canned food does have an expiration date so you'll want to check your emergency food stash at least once a year and rotate out items that are nearing their expiration date. Donate or eat those items and remember to replenish your supply. Purchase emergency food rations and emergency water from the American Red Cross which each last 5 years before they expire. Here is what the Red Cross suggests that everybody has in their Go Bag to last at least 72 hours.

Basic Supplies

·        Water: One gallon per person, per day.

·        Food: Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items

·        Flashlight

·        Extra Batteries

·        First Aid Kit

·        Medications

·        Multi-purpose tool

·        Sanitation and personal hygiene items

·        Copies of personal documents - birth certificates, social security cards, real estate contracts, insurance contracts, bank records and passports, immunization records and any other important personal documents

·        Cell phone with chargers

·        Family and Emergency Contact Information

·        Extra Cash (Small Bills and Coins)

·        Emergency Blanket

·        Maps of the area

·        Hand-Crank Radio

Extras

·        Baby Supplies: formula, diapers, medications

·        Pet Supplies: collar, leash, id, food, carrier and bowl

·        Two-way Radios

·        Manual Can Opener

·        Games and Activities

·        Extra set of car and house keys

·        Whistle

·        Surgical Masks

·        Matches

·        Rain Gear

·        Towels

·        Work Gloves

·        Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes

·        Plastic Sheeting

·        Duct Tape

·        Scissors

·        Household Liquid Bleach

·        Entertainment Items

·        Blankets or sleeping bags

·        Tool Kit

·        Trash Bags

·        Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

·        Baby Wipes

·        Family Plan

 “If “ “ you believe you can accomplish everything by cramming at the eleventh hour, by all means, don’t lift a finger now. But you may think twice about beginning to build your ark once it has already started raining.” (Max Brooks) [i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “A Go Bag Can Make All the Difference in an Emergency” by Jeff Rossen

·        “Prepare yourself and build a 72-hour disaster emergency survival kit” by REBECCA Mongrain

Topic suggested by Bobbi Kinker.