Create an Emergency “Go Kit” for Your Family 16

Read this post to learn how to create an Emergency Go Kit for your family #EmergencyGoKit #Disaster #Family Share on X

Being a member of the local Search & Rescue Team for our County, and previously working with the American Red Cross, as part of the Disaster Action Team, we deal regularly with natural and man-made disasters. This summer has already had all of us on call for weeks for the threat of wildfires here in the mountains of Arizona. We have Stage 3 restrictions in the area, so campfires, charcoal grilling and smoking are prohibited. There are still some that either go around the rules, or don’t think that it applies to them.

With these disasters imminent, we are always telling our clients to have an emergency go kit. A box with certain supplies that might be needed if you are forced to leave your home for any amount of time. Now I have my CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) kit, which has a tool to turn off the gas at homes where an emergency occurs, cones for traffic control and things like that. I had never got a go kit together for my own family to have in the case of an emergency. I know, I know, I’m slapping my hand, right now.

So what do you think should be in a “Go Kit?” Here are some of the items that the American Red Cross recommends that families have available. Some of these things, I already have in my other kits in my car, but there were a few that I had never even thought of. Now I have this kit in our front closet by the door.

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:

1. Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
2. Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
3. Flashlight
4. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
5. Extra batteries
6. First aid kit
7. Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
8. Multi-purpose tool
9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items
10. Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
11. Cell phone with chargers
12. Family and emergency contact information
13. Extra cash
14. Emergency blanket
15. Map(s) of the area

Be sure to consider all of the needs of your family members and add specialty supplies to your kit:

Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Games and activities for children
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Two-way radios
Extra set of car keys and house keys
Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

Whistle
N95 or surgical masks
Matches
Rain gear
Towels
Work gloves
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Plastic sheeting
Duct tape
Scissors
Household liquid bleach
Entertainment items
Blankets or sleeping bags

So what do you think of the kit that I put together? Do you see anything that you wouldn’t have thought of to be in one? or something that I’m missing, that you feel should be in there? Leave me a comment below on what it is…I’d really love the ideas and your opinions on things. I figure in any disaster, and life in general, we should all work together to make sure that we’re safe and caring for those that need it.

Play this game with your kids to get even better prepared:

If you don’t have one – get one here:

Disclaimer: I, Jamie Tomkins, own and operate TigerStrypes Blog located at www.tigerstrypes.com. From time to time you’ll hear about my real life experiences with products and/or services from companies and individuals. The service/product was purchased by me with monetary means, points, or coupons. No portion of the product/service was given to me by the company or any agents of the company. The review that I give regarding the product/service is based off my own personal experience; I do not guarantee that your experience will be the same.