|
|
Join Our Forum
|
|
A vital part of your disaster kit is your Go-bag.
Keep the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. You should have one go-bag for each family member with an I.D. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some a smaller version of this kit in your
car (see
disaster kit for your car) and at
work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.
FOR YOUR GO-KIT (3-DAY EVACUATION KIT):
WATER:
1-2 gallons per day per person (1 gallon for cooking/bathing/flushing,
and 1/2-1 gallon for drinking). See the chapter on
Water Outages for details on
water storage and purification.
FOOD: I would recommend at least 3 days of food for a go-kit
that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and preferable no water
to prepare. It should not be salty (that will make you thirstier), and should be
nutrition-dense like energy and nutrition bars. There is no junk food in my
disaster kit! You can pack a can of Sterno if you want to heat your can of SPAM,
but it's not necessary. The food you pack for you go-kit should be lightweight
and compact. Some recommendations for the go-kit are:
-
Sugar, salt & pepper
-
Vitamins
-
High-energy foods - peanut butter, jelly
& crackers; protein bars; trail mix; protein shakes; dried fruit and
unsalted nuts
-
Canned fruits, meats, vegetables (in
single-serving cans)
-
Foods for infants, children, elderly
people, and special diet foods
-
Instant coffee and/or tea bags
-
Some kind of treat - cookies, candies,
sweetened cereals
Can/bottle opener (check your supplies), matches or lighter
PERSONAL CARE & CLOTHING: 1 change of clothes (including
underwear) per person, with sturdy comfortable shoes
A PLACE TO SLEEP: If going to a shelter, you'll need pillows &
blankets or sleeping bags; if going to a friend's or relative's, you might want
to bring them along anyway. Know that you may be stuck in your car for a very
long time if trying to evacuate your area.
SOMETHING TO DO: mini games for the kids, electronic
entertainment, mp3 player & headphones or speakers, playing cards, books, etc.
If you have one, a portable DVD player should keep the family occupied for a
while, and may entertain your shelter neighbors as well.
PET SUPPLIES: carriers, food & water bowls, food, bedding,
leash and chain, kennel
INFANT SUPPLIES: baby foods and formula, with bottles, can
openers, etc. (remember, the stress may interrupt breast milk flow) clothing and
sleepwear, baby blankets, diapers and bags for dirty ones. Disposable cleaning
cloths, stuffed animal, baby carrier, pediatric medicines (14-day supply)
FIRST AID KIT:
most of us have some semblance of one. I have a detailed list
here in my
Disaster Kit. Keep it stocked, including prescription meds and special needs for your family. Include a first-aid book (most first aid kits come with a small book). Keep it where you can grab it easily on the way out the door.
Prescriptions & prescription information (Include a small ice pack & cooler if they must be refrigerated)
MISCELLANEOUS THINGS TO TAKE IN EVACUATION:
-
Photo boxes or albums (keep originals in
your safe deposit box)
-
Important papers in a waterproof carrier
(keep originals in your safe deposit box)
-
Portable fan and batteries
-
Small radio and batteries - a wind-up
radio would be best, so you don't have to carry batteries
-
Cell phone and car charger
-
Extra batteries for wheelchairs or other
equipment, and hearing aid batteries
-
Purse with ID cards, credit cards, cash
AND HOUSE AND CAR KEYS
-
Your household notebook (control
journal, household diary, whatever you call it)
-
Your personal planner/address book
Grab these on the way out, in this order:
-
Kids (plus their comfort blankets or
stuffed toys)
-
Pets
-
Go-bags
-
Purse with credit cards, ID's, money and
HOUSE KEYS!
-
Your household
notebook/planner/emergency notebook
-
Photograph albums or boxes
-
Medications for everyone
If you have time before leaving:
-
Double-wrap foods in the freezer,
vacuum-seal it, or pack it into garbage bags - cleanup will be much easier
when it's been sitting at 88° for 10 days
-
Clean the perishables out of your
refrigerator (produce and milk)
-
Lock your doors and windows
---- Remember, in many emergencies, your computer will be inaccessible, so a hard copy of any Paradise Organized chapters you find especially helpful is
a good thing to have on hand! ----
Home>
Paradise Survived>
Survive a Disaster>
Disaster Go-Kit
|
|