Big decisions can be a challenge, but planning for them reduces the stress level. When you move to a new place, as my family did, it can take time to understand. We have lived in Oregon for eight years. While Central California is vastly different, the hazards are really not. The city I lived in is the complete opposite of farming community I wake up in now.
Impending Earthquakes and wildfire seasons loom over both places. Friends throughout the country face the possibilities of hurricanes, tornados, snowstorms, flooding and more. Knowing what to to do is one of the most important things. Being ready to do it, is perhaps, the other.
Go Bag or Shelter in Place - a guide to getting ready.
A 12 pages PDF to help you get prepared for an emergency!
What follows is a big list. It can be overwhelming. That is why I compiled it into a easy download 12 page PDF to get you started. Depending on how prepared you already are, this list may be too basic, but for most people it is a good place to start and I have found it to help my family get and stay organized. It includes multiple printable checklists. Print as many pages as you need. Share it with family and friends.
Be ready.
Be Safe!
General Go Bag Essentials:
1. Water and Hydration:
Bottled water (at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days). Add extra for clean-up (dishes, sanitation).
Water purification tablets or a portable water filter.
2. Food:
Non-perishable food items (energy bars, canned goods, dried fruits, nuts).
Manual can opener if you are bringing canned food.
Set of silverware. Small pot and frying pan. Nothing fancy in case you need to cook.
3. Clothing:
Sturdy, weather-appropriate clothing (including long-sleeve shirts, pants, and jackets).
Extra underwear and socks.
Sturdy shoes or boots.
Hat and gloves.
Emergency blankets.
4. Shelter and Warmth:
Emergency blankets or sleeping bags.
Lightweight tent or tarp.
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (for creating emergency shelter).
5. First Aid and Hygiene:
Comprehensive first aid kit including bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, etc.
Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products).
Prescription medications and over-the-counter medicines.
6. Tools and Supplies:
Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife.
Hammer, Screw drivers, adjustable wrench (crescent), pliers.
Flashlight with extra batteries not stored inside.
Matches (in a waterproof bag) and small lighter.
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
Whistle.
Dust masks (N95) useful to fight virus as well as dust or smoke particles.
Work gloves (Leather and one set for each person in group).
Plastic bags, Ziploc and garbage bags (for sanitation and waste disposal).
7. Personal Documents and Money:
Copies of important documents (ID, passport, insurance papers, medical records)
Emergency contact information
Cash in small denominations ($1s and $5s, if possible).
8. Communication:
Mobile phone with extra chargers. Solar powered chargers work well.
Local maps.
Notebooks and pen, pencils.
9. Special Items:
Baby supplies (formula, diapers, bottles, comforting toys or other items).
Pet supplies (food, water, leashes, carriers, meds).
Items for those who can’t help with packing or pack for themselves (small children, elderly or disabled).
Items for specific medical conditions
Shelter-in-Place Essentials:
1. Water and Hydration:
Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days (ideally 2 weeks).
Store extra water for sanitation purposes. Consider the chances you may not have running water and factor that into you plan.
Consider a water filtration system or purification tablets for longer-term needs.
2. Food:
Keep a supply of non-perishable food items (canned goods, dry pasta, rice, peanut butter) that can last at least 3 days (ideally 2 weeks).
Have a manual can opener.
3. Power and Lighting:
Flashlights with extra batteries
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Candles and matches/lighters
Solar-powered chargers or power banks for electronics devices.
4. Heating and Cooling:
Blankets and sleeping bags.
Propane heater (with adequate ventilation) or wood stove if in a cold climate.
Fans and cool packs for hot climates.
5. First Aid and Health:
Comprehensive first aid kit.
Personal hygiene items (soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products)
Prescription medications and a supply of over-the-counter medications.
Masks (N95 or higher) for potential air quality issues, or viruses such as COVID 19 or other airborne irritants,
Latex gloves for handling potentially contaminated materials.
6. Communication:
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay updated on news and weather.
Mobile phone with chargers and power banks.
List of emergency contacts. Do rely on the list in your phone. Write it down.
7. Sanitation:
Plastic bags for waste disposal.
Portable toilet or a bucket with a tight-fitting lid.
Bleach or other disinfectants.
8. Tools and Supplies:
Basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, wrench, pliers).
Duct tape and plastic sheeting. These can be used to seal off windows and doors to prevent outside contaminants from entering.
Fire extinguisher.
Leather gloves
9. Entertainment and Comfort:
Books, games, sketchbooks or paper and activities to pass the time.
Comfort items like pillows and favorite snacks.
Plan for Power Outages:
Get a portable power station. This type. Keep it charged. This can get you lights and keep your phones charged.
Get a portable solar panel. This type.
Know how to manually operate electric garage doors. [There should be a pull cord. when electricity is back, pull the other direction until it locks into place.]
Keep a supply of batteries for all battery-operated devices.
Have a generator if feasible, along with extra fuel stored safely.
Keep your Go Bag ready
Regularly Update: Check your go bag every 3 months. Put a reminder on your calendar now for three month out and don’t skip this step. Replace expired food, water, and medications. Check that the clothing included still fits and is appropriate for the coming season. You don’t want summer clothes in your bag that you end up using in December.
Customize it: The contents should be specific needs of your family members, including pets. This list is a starting point. All families are different and will need different items. Have a brainstorm session with everyone and make sure their input is included on the list of items they will need if they need to leave for an unknown period of time. Obviously this conversation will be different with a spouse than with any age children, but taking the time to do this will improve outcomes if the Go Bag is ever needed.
Practice using it: Everyone in your household should know where the Go Bag is, what it contains and when to get it. Practicing puts skills into our memory so that they are there when we need them. You don’t want to think about this when the emergency strikes.
Note: Weapons, such as guns, should be left at home (in a gun safe). The chance that they will help you to defend your family are incredibly slim and statistics show they are more likely to end up harming your family or causing a greater distractions rather than promoting safety of those around you. If you think they make you manlier or safer, you are wrong. They just make you scarier, to everyone. They are a sign to many that you may not be trustworthy. If you have to flee our home for something like a wildfire, hundreds of other families may be fleeing with you. You will all end up at the same place. Everyone is plenty scared and traumatized. Do not add to it with your gun.
Focus on Staying Put
Stock up on more non-perishable food and water: Increase your water and food supply to at least 7 days, rather than the 3 days for evacuation. By preparing your home and planning for various scenarios, you can ensure that you and your family remain safe and comfortable during an extended period of sheltering in place.
Utilize Your Go Bag by converting to a shelter-in-place kit. Many items in your go bag will still be useful, like the first-aid kit, radio, flashlight, and sanitation wipes. You can repack it for the next emergency after this one is over.
Gather additional items: Look around your home for additional supplies that can be used to seal windows and doors, create makeshift shelters, or provide warmth (blankets, sleeping bags).
Staying Safe Inside: Choose a safe room, an interior room, preferably on the ground floor, away from windows and exterior walls, is ideal. Depending on the type of emergency you may need to be able to seal the room. Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to create a barrier around windows, doors, and other openings, if necessary.
Sheltering in place is a temporary measure until authorities say it's safe to go outside. Once the danger has passed, properly ventilate your home before re-entering sealed rooms.
Stay informed: Rely on your battery-powered radio or a charged phone for official instructions and updates. Don't overload the phone lines unless there's an emergency.
Regional and Emergency/Weather-Specific Factors and other Factors:
Cold Climates:
Extra warm clothing.
Thermal blankets.
Hand and foot warmers.
Snow shovel and other tools.
Hot Climates:
Extra water for each person.
Water additives with electrolytes or flavor.
Sunblock and wide-brimmed hat.
Sunscreen.
Cooling towels.
Flood-Prone Areas:
Waterproof bags for storing important documents and electronics.
Life jackets.
Water shoes.
Earthquake Zones:
Sturdy shoes (to protect from broken glass and debris).
Safety Helmet.
Tools for assisting others.
Additional dust masks.
Hurricane/Tornado Areas:
Reinforced shelter materials.
Extra tarps and duct tape for temporary repairs.
Safety goggles.
Extra building materials (plywood, nails and tools) for potential repairs.
Wildfire Regions:
Respirator masks.
Fire-resistant gloves and clothing.
Urban Areas:
Additional personal security items (pepper spray, personal alarm).
Portable phone charger.
Rural Areas:
Additional navigation aids (compass, detailed local maps).
Signal flares.
Pandemic Related:
Extra masks.
Latex gloves.
Hand sanitizer
Rubbing alcohol (in a spray bottle).
Paper towels/cloths.
Safety Measures:
Ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
Identify safe rooms or areas in your home for sheltering (away from windows and external walls).
Have a fire escape plan and make sure all family members know it.
Pet Supplies:
Food and water for pets
Medications and veterinary records
Leashes, carriers, and comfort items
Community and Support:
Stay in touch with neighbors and check on each other, especially vulnerable individuals.
Know local emergency services and shelters.