A “go bag” is a personal evacuation kit. It has basic supplies to help keep you and your family healthy, safe, and financially protected when you need to leave your home quickly.
Be ready to take these things with you
- Copies of your important documents. These include insurance cards, photo IDs, birth certificates, deeds, proof of address, and your family emergency plan. Keep these in a waterproof bag or box that is also easy to carry.
- Extra set of car and house keys.
- Cash, especially in small bills (ones, fives, and tens). You may not be able to use credit cards or ATM cards if the power is out.
- Bottled water and ready-to-eat foods such as energy or granola bars.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries. You can also buy wind-up radios that do not require batteries.
- Medications and health information, including:
- A three-day supply of all medicines. Make a habit of refilling medications before they run out or expire.
- A health information form for each person in your household, or a list of the medicines each member of your household takes. Include the name of the medicine, the dosage, what it’s for, and when to take it, such as after eating or before bedtime.
- Copies of all prescriptions, and contact information for your family’s doctors and pharmacists.
- First aid kit.
- Comfortable and sturdy shoes, a lightweight rain coat, and a mylar blanket.
- Contact and meeting place information for your household.
- A local map showing your neighborhood’s emergency evacuation routes.
- Personal care items: hand sanitizer, feminine products, toothbrush and toothpaste, toilet paper and wipes.
- Special care items, including child care supplies, items for special needs, and pet supplies.