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Emergencies can happen with little warning. Severe weather, flooding, earthquakes, and unexpected power outages can disrupt everyday life and sometimes require families to leave home quickly.
One simple way to prepare is to keep a go bag ready. A go bag is a portable collection of essential supplies that you can take with you if you need to evacuate or spend time away from home unexpectedly.
You don’t need to buy everything at once or pack every possible item. The goal is to prepare the essentials your household may need, keep them organized, and make sure everyone knows where the bag is stored.
If you’re building your first emergency kit, here are 15 items to consider.
1. Drinking Water
Water is one of the most important supplies in an emergency. Keep commercially sealed drinking water in your go bag or include a practical way to carry it.
The amount you need depends on your household, the expected duration of the emergency, the weather, and whether additional water will be available. Follow local disaster-preparedness guidance when deciding how much to store.
Helpful tip: Check expiration or best-before information where applicable, replace stored supplies as recommended, and avoid packing so much water that the bag becomes too heavy to carry safely.
2. Ready-to-Eat Food
Pack food that is easy to carry, does not require cooking, and can be eaten safely when normal services are disrupted.
Examples include sealed crackers, energy bars, dried fruit, and other shelf-stable snacks suitable for your household. Consider food allergies, dietary requirements, and the needs of children or older family members.
Helpful tip: Check packaging dates and storage instructions regularly. Choose items that can withstand the conditions where your bag will be kept.
3. A First Aid Kit
A compact first aid kit can help you manage minor injuries while waiting for assistance. Useful contents may include adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, and other basic first aid supplies.
Choose a kit that suits your household, and learn how to use its contents safely. A first aid kit does not replace professional medical care when it is needed.
Helpful tip: Check the kit periodically for missing items, damaged packaging, and expired supplies.
4. Essential Medications and Medical Information
If anyone in your household takes regular medication, plan how you will keep it available during an emergency. Follow the medication’s storage instructions and arrange an appropriate emergency supply with your healthcare professional or pharmacist.
You may also want to keep a written list of medications, allergies, emergency contacts, and relevant medical information in a waterproof pouch.
Helpful tip: Never rely solely on a digital copy of important medical information. Keep a paper backup in case your phone battery runs out.
5. A Flashlight and Spare Batteries
Power outages can make it difficult to move around safely, especially at night. A compact flashlight provides practical lighting without relying on your phone.
Choose a model that is easy to operate, and keep compatible spare batteries if the flashlight requires them. A rechargeable flashlight is another option, provided you can keep it charged.
Helpful tip: Test your flashlight regularly and store it where you can find it quickly.
6. A Charged Power Bank and Phone Cables
A phone can help you receive emergency updates, contact family members, and access important information. A charged power bank and compatible charging cable can be useful when outlets are unavailable.
Choose a power bank with enough capacity for your needs, and follow its charging and storage instructions.
Helpful tip: Keep important contact numbers written on paper as well. Mobile networks may become unavailable, and electronic devices can run out of power.
7. Copies of Important Documents
Important documents may be difficult to replace if they are lost or damaged during an emergency. Consider keeping copies of identification, insurance information, emergency contacts, and other essential records in a waterproof document pouch.
Store copies securely and avoid carrying unnecessary original documents. Keep digital backups in a secure location when appropriate.
Helpful tip: Protect personal information. Your go bag should be stored securely, and sensitive documents should not be left where others can easily access them.
8. A Change of Clothes
A spare set of comfortable clothing can be useful if you get wet, dirty, or need to stay away from home longer than expected.
Consider lightweight shirts, underwear, socks, and weather-appropriate clothing. In areas prone to heavy rain or flooding, a lightweight raincoat can also be useful.
Helpful tip: Choose clothing that suits your local climate and pack items that are easy to fold and dry. Recheck sizes and replace anything that no longer fits.
9. A Lightweight Blanket
A compact blanket can provide warmth and comfort when you need to rest somewhere unfamiliar. Depending on your needs, you might choose a lightweight travel blanket or an emergency thermal blanket.
Consider how much space the item takes up and whether it is suitable for the conditions you may encounter.
Helpful tip: Keep the blanket dry inside a protective bag, especially if your go bag may be exposed to rain.
10. Basic Hygiene Supplies
Maintaining hygiene can be more difficult when running water or normal facilities are unavailable. A small hygiene pouch can help you stay comfortable and clean.
Consider including soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, tissues, a toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary products, and other personal essentials appropriate for your household.
Helpful tip: Pack travel-size products where practical, but make sure you have enough for the expected duration of the emergency. Follow product labels and local public health advice.
11. A Face Mask and Personal Protective Items
A suitable face mask may be useful in dusty environments or where local health authorities recommend one. The appropriate type depends on the hazard and the level of protection needed.
You might also include other personal protective items suited to your circumstances, such as sturdy work gloves.
Helpful tip: Store protective items clean and dry, and replace them if damaged or no longer suitable for use.
12. Some Cash in Small Denominations
Electronic payments and ATMs may be unavailable during power or network disruptions. Keeping some emergency cash in small denominations can help with essential purchases when cash payments are accepted.
Choose an amount that fits your budget and likely needs. Store it securely in a waterproof pouch.
Helpful tip: Keep emergency cash separate from your everyday wallet, and review the amount occasionally.
13. A Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio
A portable radio can help you receive emergency announcements when mobile data or internet access is unavailable. Choose a model that can receive relevant local broadcasts and is practical for your household.
Depending on the model, you may need spare batteries or a way to recharge it.
Helpful tip: Identify reliable local emergency information sources in advance, and test your radio periodically.
14. A Whistle and Basic Emergency Tools
A whistle can help attract attention if you need assistance. A small multitool may also be useful for ordinary tasks, provided it is legal to carry and appropriate for your situation.
You don’t need a large collection of tools in your go bag. Prioritize simple, useful items that you know how to use safely.
Helpful tip: Keep tools secured and away from children. Follow local rules and emergency guidance when deciding what to carry.
15. Supplies for Children, Older Adults, and Pets
A general checklist may not cover everyone’s needs. If you have a baby, an older family member, someone with a disability, or a pet, plan for their specific requirements.
Depending on your household, additional supplies might include diapers, feeding supplies, assistive-device accessories, hearing-aid batteries, pet food, a leash, or copies of vaccination records.
Helpful tip: Prepare a separate small pouch for special needs so these items are easy to locate quickly.
How to Organize Your Go Bag
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, organize them so the most important items are easy to reach.
- Use small pouches to group first aid, hygiene supplies, and documents.
- Keep frequently needed items accessible rather than buried at the bottom.
- Place important papers in a waterproof pouch.
- Distribute heavier items carefully and make sure the bag is comfortable to carry.
- Label compartments if that helps other family members find supplies quickly.
Choose a sturdy backpack that fits the person who may need to carry it. Avoid making the bag so heavy that it becomes difficult to transport.
Where Should You Keep Your Go Bag?
Store your go bag in a secure, accessible location where household members know how to find it quickly. Keep it away from excessive heat, moisture, and other conditions that could damage its contents.
Make sure everyone knows the household evacuation plan, the location of emergency contacts, and where to meet if family members become separated.
A go bag is only one part of emergency preparedness. Follow official evacuation instructions, know your local evacuation routes, and prepare for the hazards most relevant to your area.
How Often Should You Check Your Go Bag?
Review your supplies periodically and after using any item. Check food and medication dates, replace depleted batteries, recharge power banks, and update important documents and contact information.
It’s also worth checking whether clothing still fits and whether supplies remain suitable for your household’s needs.
A simple reminder on your calendar can help you keep everything ready without having to rebuild the bag from scratch.
Final Thoughts
Preparing a go bag doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Start with essential items such as water, food, first aid supplies, lighting, important documents, and personal necessities. Then adjust the contents to suit your family’s needs and local emergency risks.
You can build your kit gradually, using supplies you already have where appropriate. What matters most is having a realistic plan, keeping your essentials accessible, and knowing what to do when an emergency occurs.