Emergency Preparedness: Go-bags and other essentials

Gale-force hurricanes, raging wildfires, earthquakes, “bomb cyclones,” and apocalyptic threats…do you have an emergency preparedness kit at the ready?

Yeah, me neither. But that’s about to change.

 Sure, I’ve given lip service to this idea before. Last fall, for instance, when I found myself in an evacuation zone, following a seemingly endless procession of cars that inched toward the freeway, ash falling like rain on our windshields. We turned on our headlights, tiny pinpricks of light that barely pierced the smoke-shrouded sky.

I was never in harm’s way, not really; but by the time I got home, I was hungry and thirsty, and my gas gauge tipped perilously close to Empty. “I felt really vulnerable,” I confessed later. “Wholly unprepared!”

Mind you, I live in the land of earthquakes, mudslides, and wildfires. I should know better. Quite clearly, I’d become cavalier. But after that experience, I knew things had to change. I started by asking my social media friends to share what they knew about disaster preparedness. “I’ll do some research,” I said. “I’ll post everything on my blog.” Soon…because you never know.”

Then, fiddle dee dee, I got swept up in the holiday festivities and forgot all about those moments of panic. Isn’t that the way? But history has a way of repeating itself.  Lessons, too, until we master them. I watched in horror as entire communities were consumed by wildfires—the largest in California history. Tectonic plates keep shifting, all around the world. And at this very moment, the East Coast is paralyzed by a massive winter storm, with icy fingers that reach all the way from Northern Florida to New England. It’s enough to make you sit up and take notice, am I right? So here’s that blog entry, without further ado or delay: a plethora of handy tips, curated especially for you, because it’s (past) time we assembled those disaster preparedness kits!

TOP-LEVEL TIPS

Make a plan.  Include emergency contacts, evacuation routes, meet-up spots, to-do lists, etc. 

Perform practice drills. Make these activities fun, so young children don’t get scared. (I’m impressed with this (free!) Be Ready Coloring Book.) 

Assemble emergency kits for everyone in your household.  The experts at Provident Living suggest “Go-bags” that are

• Lightweight. Choose a sturdy, water-resistant backpack, or a rolling suitcase with strong zippers and lots of compartments.
• Accessible. Store near an exit, where you can grab and go.
• Up-to-date. Create a rotation schedule (check expiration dates on perishables, batteries, medications, etc.), and update clothing sizes, as necessary.
• Waterproof. Tuck everything into waterproof containers or plastic bags.
• High-quality. Buy quality items that last, and make sure you know how they work.
• Personalized. Keep in mind the unique needs of small children, pets, seniors, and people with mobility issues!
• Versatile. They should contain everything you need for the critical first hours and days, whether you’re sheltering in place or forced to evacuate. Instead of creating separate kits for each type of disaster, use an all-hazards approach.
• Complete. Shop from the checklist below. Don’t siphon off your emergency supplies for day-to-day use!

CHECKLIST FOR YOUR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS KITS 

This supply list included practical recommendations put forth by the experts, including friends with first-hand experience. Add what you will. Pull from it what you need to create three, customized kits:

• A car kit to get you through the first few days;
• A go-bag that’s designed to last a week, and
• Containers large enough to hold items you might need for an extended period of time.

I’ve linked specific product recommendations, as well, based on my research and/or customer ratings. Feel free to weigh in with your own experiences & endorsements! Yes, it’s a long list. It can also get expensive. But don’t panic! You can shop your pantry, collect stuff on the cheap from the thrift store, or buy in bulk from the big box outlets. And if your budget’s already stretched, this worksheet divides your purchases into manageable chunks.

 

• Energy bars, high-protein snacks, dried fruits, and/or Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)
• Bottled water or a Portable Water Filter
• Comfort foods — cookies, hard candies, coffee crystals, etc.
• Infant formula, diapers, bottles, pacifiers, food pouches, and medications
• Cooking supplies (i.e., manual can openers; mess kits; disposable cups, plates, and utensils; utility knives; spices; aluminum foil and plastic wrap; re-sealable plastic bags
• Lightweight survival (“astronaut”) blankets
• Emergency power station (Flashlight/AM-FM radio/siren/cellphone charger)
• Duct Tape
• Multi-function pocket tool
• First-aid kit 
• Emergency light sticks (12-hr)
• Nitrile(non-latex) gloves 
• Leather work gloves
• Safety Goggles
• N-95 Respiratory masks with particle filters
• Emergency Whistle
• Bio-Hazard Bags 
• Topical first aid cream (antiseptic, anesthetic and anti-inflammatory, all in one)
• Cash and coins
• Scissors
• Fresh batteries
• Hands-free headlamp
• Copies of important documents and personal identification, stored in a fire-proof box or saved to a thumb drive.
• Extra sets of car keys and house keys
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Camp stove and cookware
• Maps of the area, marked with escape routes and destination points (Be sure to include names, addresses and phone numbers for emergency services, friends, and the like.)
• Health aids (denture cleaner, contact lenses and supplies; extra eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, and specialty items for children, seniors, disabled persons, and those with serious allergies
• Medications—Prescription and non-prescription items you use on a regular basis
• One complete change of clothing and sturdy footwear per person, including rain gear and other seasonal items (e.g., waterproof ponchos, hats and gloves, thermal underwear, and sunglasses)
• Small tent, compass, small shovel, crowbar, and axe
• Notepad and pencils, needles and thread
• Small fire extinguisher
• Emergency preparedness manual (how-to book about fire-building, sheltering outdoors, emergency first-aid, and other disaster-specific instructions)
• Sanitation and hygiene supplies (i.e., toilet paper, moist towelettes, bar soap, hand sanitizer, liquid detergent, feminine products, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb and brush, lip balm, bug spray, heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties, plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, and household bleach)
• Entertainment (e.g., card games, books, toys, and stuffed animals for small children.
• Plastic tarps or sheeting
• Pet supplies (e.g., leashes, food, carriers, toys, poop bags and medications

I’m serious about stocking my emergency preparedness kits, are you? If so, let’s do it together! No pushing our grocery carts down empty aisles; no jockeying for the last pack of batteries. Because as that old adage goes: Once we’ve got our own oxygen masks in place, we’ll breathe easier AND be better equipped to help others.