Make a Go-bag and Disaster Supplies Kit
The go-bag should be prepared now, before an emergency, be easily accessible and filled with at least a three day supply of items needed to help you quickly and safely evacuate your home. You may only have enough time to retrieve this bag. Essentials include:
- Clothing and personal toiletries.
- Inventory of home contents and photographs/videotape of the house and landscape.
- Contact your insurance agent for an inventory checklist.
- Flashlight, portable radio tuned to an emergency radio station and extra batteries.
- Change batteries annually.
- Extra set of car and house keys.
- Extra pair of eyeglasses.
- Contact information for family, friends and physicians.
If you anticipate an extended evacuation at an emergency shelter or your family is returning to a home without functioning electricity and water, these additional items for a disaster supplies kit will prove helpful:
- One gallon of water per person, per day stored in unbreakable containers and labeled with the storage date. Replace every six months.
- Supply of non-perishable packaged or canned foods with a hand-operated can opener.
- Anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel.
- First aid kit, including a first aid book.
- At least one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- ABC-type fire extinguisher.
- Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.
- Large plastic trash bags, tarps and rain ponchos.
- A large trash can.
- Bar soap, liquid detergent and household bleach.
- Rubber gloves and duct tape.