What is a Go Bag?
A Go Bag could just as easily be called an Evacuation Bag. It is a bag of essential items that you prepare ahead of time in the event you have to evacuate quickly from your home. Many people differentiate it from a survival bag, which often contains items you need to survive in the wilderness, because it usually isn't stocked with as many survival type items. With that being said, you could opt for one bag that serves both purposes.
A Go Bag is usually stocked with items you will need to get you through a few days away from home should you have to evacuate to a hotel or to the home of a friend or family. Some of the basic items we have included in our bags include a change of clothes, a few personal items (for bodily and spiritual health), some cash, photocopies of documentation (driver's license, passport, etc.), a small first aid kit, a flashlight (in case of power outage), and snacks and water (you never know how long the trip away from home will take). A phone charger would be a great addition, and if you have space, a camp mat and sleeping bag would be nice additions. The bag itself should be of sturdy material and easy to carry.
Why have a Go Bag?
For some disasters, you prepare your home, your pantry, etc. For other disasters, such as fires, hurricanes, and earthquakes, preparation includes having an evacuation plan. Part of that evacuation plan should include a Go Bag (or an Evacuation Bag). Having a bag prepared in advance alleviates some of the stress when having to evacuate. Putting together an easy-to-grab bag with all your necessities will ensure you get out the door with the bare minimum to function for a few days.
One dry summer when our kids were young, a fire started only a mile from our house, just outside the tiny town in which we lived. The wind was blowing towards our home and the rest of the town. My husband was a volunteer fire fighter and had told me how fast some fires can move. As a precaution, I had the kids grab their go-bags and we loaded them all into the car. We were getting ready to load the Tulle with other items when the wind changed direction. We were fortunate that that the wind changed direction and that they were able to put the fire out before it endangered any homes. Nevertheless, I was also grateful that each of us had a Go Bag already packed. It made the decision of what to load first very easy.
Items to Include in Your Go Bag
Photocopies of important documents (driver’s license, passport, marriage license, birth certificate, etc.)
Pocket address book with important names and numbers – family, friends, your insurance company (in case your home is destroyed while you are away), etc.
A change of clothes - shirt, pants, underclothes, socks, shoes (if you get wet, you will need at least one complete set of dry clothes)
Toiletry items – travel size soap, shampoo, toothbrush, washcloth and towel, feminine hygiene items
Personal items – a Bible, rosary, a favorite toy (for a child), a pocket size book to read
Cash – small bills – in case of widespread power outage
Small first aid kit – in case of injury during evacuation
Flashlight and batteries - in case of power outage (we like the Maglite mini)
Snacks – in case you are on the road a while (emergency ration bars and beefsticks are good options)
Water - in case you are on the road a while (pouches or water bottles are good options)
Dust mask – to reduce inhalation of smoke or debris
Work gloves – in case you have to physically move obstacles out of your evacuation route (heavy leather work gloves will offer good protection for your hands)
Whistle – in case you get trapped (sports whistles or emergency whistles both work)
Small radio with batteries – for evacuation updates in case your phone loses signal (this NOAA Weather Radio has solar power and hand crank options)
Phone charger
Optional:
Camp mat - in case you have to sleep on the floor somewhere
Sleeping bag or blanket - in case you have to sleep on the floor somewhere
Hopefully you already have a vehicle emergency bag in your car that will provide backup for a few of these items.