Emergency Kits, Go Bags & Checklists

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Your household emergency kit should include the necessary supplies to sustain you and your family in your home for at least three days. Remember that it may take a significant amount of time for basic services (water, electricity, and telephones) to return to normal. Be prepared in advance with checklists of what to do, when, how, and why.

Create your own kits and checklists

If you need to leave from your home, it will be important that you are ready to go as quickly as possible. Having a “Go Bag” in an accessible place ensures that you and your family are prepared for whatever situation arises.

Go Bag Guidelines:

Each member of your household should have his or her own Go Bag
Go Bags should be easy to carry and sturdy
Go Bags should be stored in an easily accessible location
Ideally, you should keep a Go Bag at your home, in your car, and at work
Go Bags should be prepared for any time of year
Go Bags should be updated every six months

Go Bag List:

Bottled water
Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
Flashlight
Battery-operated AM/FM radio
Extra batteries (check the necessary types)
Pocketknife
Whistle
Prescription medication for a week, along with copies of your prescriptions
Small first aid kit
Extra house and car keys
A blanket
Raingear
A hat
Comfortable, sturdy shoes
Warm clothes
Extra pair of glasses and/or hearing aids
Toilet paper
Plastic garbage bags
Soap
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Feminine hygiene products
A copy of your communications plan card
A regional map
Special needs items for members of your family, especially children, seniors or people with disabilities, and pets
Paper, pens, and tape - in case you need to leave a message somewhere
Dust mask
Cash - preferably in small denominations
Coins for pay phones
Credit and debit cards
Copies of important documents in a waterproof container (i.e. IDs, insurance information, proof of address, passports, etc.)
A recent family photo for identification purposes - make sure everyone's face can be seen clearly

For additional information:

Communications plan card

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