Are you prepared if a disaster occurs? Fire prevention and management experts, as well as disaster relief professionals, advise having a bug-out bag readily available to grab without delay. In simple terms, what exactly is a bug-out bag? A bug-out bag, alternatively called a BOB bag, grab bag, go bag, survival kit, PERK (personal emergency relocation kit), 72-hour bag, or GOOD (get out of dodge) bag, is an emergency kit specifically designed to contain all the necessary items for you and your family in the event of a speedy evacuation due to a wildfire, natural calamity, or unforeseen circumstances. To ensure your readiness for a few days of self-sufficiency, continue reading to discover the essential contents of a bug-out bag.
Water
Water is listed as the first item on Ready.gov’s bug-out bag checklist. It is advised to pack one gallon of water per person per day, and to have enough water to last for multiple days. Therefore, a family of four should pack a minimum of 12 gallons of water (four gallons per day, lasting three days). This water is essential for drinking, as well as for sanitation and personal hygiene purposes.
Non-Perishable Food
Including enough non-perishable food items to last for at least three days is crucial when packing food in a bug-out bag, according to ReadyforWildfire.org’s recommendations. Opting for energy bars, trail mix, and other high-protein foods is a wise choice. Additionally, adding Meals-Ready-to-Eat, or MREs, as well as meal-replacement shakes could be considered to have higher-calorie alternatives that can supply ample energy while awaiting assistance.
Flashlight and Extra Batteries
In case of natural disasters and fires, there is a possibility of getting stuck outdoors or in a power outage zone. By carrying a flashlight, you will be able to see in darkness. Remember to include additional batteries in your bag to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the flashlight throughout your required duration.
Medication
It is important to pack any prescription medications that you or others in your household may need. Prescription medications can be life-saving, so it is crucial not to be without them during emergencies. To ensure everyone has the necessary medications until they can receive medical assistance, the American Red Cross advises individuals to pack a minimum of a 7-day supply.
Hand-Crank or Battery-Powered Radio
During wildfires and other natural disasters, power lines and cellular signals often go offline. In order to stay informed about weather alerts, evacuation routes, and other crucial information that could mean survival, it is advisable to include a hand-crank or battery-powered radio in your bug-out bag. The California Fire Prevention Organization recommends the NOAA Weather Radio as an excellent option for inclusion in emergency bags.
Multi-Purpose Tool
A multi-purpose tool, as its name implies, is capable of being utilized in different ways when there is an emergency. These portable gadgets come with a range of accessories, like pliers, knife blades, saws, screwdrivers, scissors, and wire strippers. By having a multi-purpose tool, you have access to a variety of tools without occupying much space in your bug-out bag.
First Aid Supplies
For a mere $1, one can acquire the most basic first aid kit, which includes a small number of band-aids, gauze, antiseptic wipes, and a case. Using medications from my personal stash, including both prescription and over-the-counter varieties, I ensured proper labeling and dosage instructions. Additionally, I purchased antibacterial soap for an additional $1.
Clothing
In order to further reduce costs, I decided to collect clothing items already available in our house to include in the bags. The only exceptions were an additional pair of gloves and a hat. Furthermore, we had an abundance of leftover crib-size blankets, which I utilized.
Comfort Items
Depending on the ages of your children, you can find great comfort items like stuffed animals, books, puzzle books, pencils, notebooks, stickers, and games at dollar stores.
I selected a pair of items for each of my children in order to prevent boredom, making sure they were different so that they could share. From the resources available at home, I included notebooks and a generous amount of sharpened pencils.
Other Useful & Inexpensive Items
In addition to stopping there, I discovered some other valuable items that had reasonable prices as well.
First, I went to the dollar store where I found a variety of items such as glow sticks, flashlights, batteries, hair ties, sunglasses, matches, bungee cords, rain ponchos, gloves, hats, pocket knives, and toolsets which included a screwdriver, bits, and a knife. I chose several of these items and distributed them among our bags. If you already have some of these items at home, you can use them to complement your supplies. By doing so, you can save money and use it to purchase other necessary items.
Duct Tape and Plastic Sheeting
When faced with an emergency, duct tape proves to be highly useful due to its strength and ability to resist water. It can be employed in numerous ways, such as fixing footwear, constructing a splint, mending a leaking container, indicating a route, crafting a rope, and resealing packages. Moreover, when combined with plastic sheeting, duct tape can be utilized to fabricate an improvised shelter.
Cell Phone and Charger
Ensure that you always have your cell phone when in an emergency situation. Take the time to save the contact numbers of your emergency contacts, friends, family, and any other necessary phone numbers. Additionally, remember to include a power bank and charging cables in your bug-out bag, so that your phone stays charged and accessible even when conventional power sources are unavailable.
Cash
During a power outage, credit cards and debit cards will not be useful as you will be unable to make purchases or withdraw money from ATMs. It is beneficial to include cash in your bug-out bag to guarantee that you can pay for necessities like food, gas, or accommodation.
