Build a Personal Go Bag (2024)

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Personal Go Bag Contents

Build a Personal Go Bag (1)Everyone in your family should have their own Go Bag that contains 72 hours worth of essential supplies.

These kits are collections of supplies needed when an earthquake strikes, or an emergency evacuation is ordered. Personalize kits and keep them where they can easily be reached—at home, in the car, at work or school.

This is particularly important during fire season when a quick getaway may be needed. A backpack or other small bag is best for these kits so that they can be easily carried in an evacuation. During the COVID-19 pandemic additional considerations for your Go Bag include N95 and/or cloth face coverings, hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, and a thermometer.

Build a Go Bag

Include the following items in each Go Bag:

  • Water – 3 bottles
  • Food – 3-day supply
  • Warmth/Shelter – Emergency blanket, 3 12-hour body warmers, poncho
  • Medical Supplies – First Aid/medical kit, pain reliever, 3 pairs of medical gloves, and a 3-7 day supply of any required life-saving medications as well as copies of prescriptions. Also include an N95 and/or Cloth Mask and hand sanitizer
  • Lighting – Flashlight with batteries or crank flashlight
  • Radio – AM/FM emergency radio with batteries
  • Support Supplies – Whistle, pair work gloves, sturdy shoes, change of clothes, 3 face masks, pack of Wet Wipes, pocket tissue package, 30-gallon plastic bag, 3 10-gallon plastic bags
  • Packaging – 1 bag, backpack, or bucket with handle

Plus the Following Items*:

  • Medical Consent Forms and Medical Information for dependents or minors
  • Copies of important documents – Including identification, insurance cards, deeds
  • Spare eye glasses and personal hygiene supplies
  • Emergency cash
  • List of emergency contact phone numbers including an out of state contact
  • Comfort item such as a game or teddy bear.

*For families with infants and young children check out special considerations from the CDC

Note: Replace perishable items like water, food, medications, and batteries as needed or on a yearly basis.

Build a Personal Go Bag (2024)

FAQs

Build a Personal Go Bag? ›

Include the following items in each Go Bag:

How to build a go bag? ›

Make a grab-and-go bag
  1. Food (ready to eat) and water.
  2. Phone charger and battery bank.
  3. Small battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
  4. Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight.
  5. Extra batteries.
  6. Small first-aid kit and personal medications.
  7. Personal toiletries and items, such as an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses.
May 9, 2024

What are the basic needs in a go bag? ›

Go Bag
  • Bottled water and nonperishable food, such a s granola bars.
  • Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, wet wipes, etc)
  • Flashlight, hand-crank or battery-operated AM/FM radio, and extra batteries.
  • Portable cell phone charger.
  • Notepad, pen/pencil, and marker.
  • Local street maps (paper version)

How much money should be in a go bag? ›

For example, if you estimate $30 would be the minimum amount of money you would need, and you think five days is the right amount to plan for, you would have a comfortable baseline of $150 for your emergency preparedness reserve.

What food to put in a go bag? ›

Build up your emergency pantry over time when grocery shopping to make the task easier. Some examples of foods to include are:
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
  • Protein or fruit bars.
  • Dry cereal or granola and dried fruit.
  • Peanut butter.
  • Canned juices and non-perishable pasteurized milk.

How to get a free emergency kit? ›

The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is available for free from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What clothes should be in a go bag? ›

Here are some basic guidelines for must-pack clothing items for your go-bag:
  • Gloves (a pair of work gloves and a pair for cold weather)
  • Hats (to keep you warm or shield the sun)
  • Thermals.
  • Socks and underwear.
  • Jacket.
  • Poncho.
  • Boots.
  • T-Shirt and Jeans or hiking/outdoor pants.

What is the difference between a go bag and a bug out bag? ›

The main difference between a bug out bag and a go bag is the amount of time each is designed to last. A go bag is usually a smaller style of bag that contains essential items like food and water that you can keep in your car or place of work so that you can grab it and go. It is designed as more of a short-term kit.

What should I pack in my go kit? ›

Include the following items in each Go Bag:

Food – 3-day supply. Warmth/Shelter – Emergency blanket, 3 12-hour body warmers, poncho. Medical Supplies – First Aid/medical kit, pain reliever, 3 pairs of medical gloves, and a 3-7 day supply of any required life-saving medications as well as copies of prescriptions.

How much cash can you keep at home legally in the US? ›

The government has no regulations on the amount of money you can legally keep in your house or even the amount of money you can legally own overall. Just, the problem with keeping so much money in one place (likely in the form of cash) — it's very vulnerable to being lost.

How much hard cash should I have on hand? ›

While you're working, we recommend you set aside at least $1,000 for emergencies to start and then build up to an amount that can cover three to six months of expenses. When you've retired, consider a cash reserve that might help cover one to two years of spending needs.

Is it smart to have cash on hand? ›

Reasons people keep cash at home include emergency preparedness, financial privacy concerns and mistrust of banks. It's a good idea to keep enough cash at home to cover two months' worth of basic necessities, some experts recommend.

What are the top 10 survival foods? ›

  • Meats & Beans. Canned meat, chicken, turkey, seafood. and other protein-rich foods, such as. ...
  • Vegetables. Canned vegetables and vegetable juices. ...
  • Fruits. Canned fruits and fruit juices. ...
  • Milk. Canned, boxed or dried milk and shelf- ...
  • Grains. Ready-to-eat cereal, crackers, pretzels, ...
  • Water. Enough for 1 gallon per day.

What is the most important thing in a go bag? ›

Each “Go Bag” should include an emergency radio, water container, a personal hygiene kit, and first aid kit. Don't forget to also pack any medications your family needs. Some of the other items to include are: Flashlight and Batteries.

What is the best canned food for emergency? ›

Canned fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, fish. Canned juices, broths and soups. Shelf-stable "boxes" of juices and milk. Crackers and melba toast (don't pick combination packs with cheeses or luncheon meats if they require refrigeration)

What to pack in a runaway bag? ›

Personal belongings
  • Small toiletry kit.
  • Change of clothes.
  • Sensible shoes.
  • Towel.
  • Sleeping bag.
  • Pillow.
  • Entertainment items.
  • Chargers for electronics.

How to make your own survival food kit? ›

Include a selection of the following foods in your short-term Disaster Supplies Kit:
  1. Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
  2. Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
  3. Staples " sugar, salt, pepper.
  4. High energy foods " peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix.

What is in the emergency kit for a tsunami? ›

The following provisions are recommended as a minimum for the Kit:
  • Map of area showing an agreed meeting spot in case of separation and the nearest safe shelter.
  • Family and emergency contact information.
  • Basic first aid kit.
  • Water and non perishable food (three to seven day supply)
  • Flashlight.
  • Battery powered radio.

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