Making an Emergency Go-Kit

Making a Go-Kit is an important aspect of emergency preparedness. If an emergency were to occur, ideally you would be able to quickly grab your Go-Kit, which would keep you and your family safe for several days. The size of your Go-Kit will depend on the size of your family itself.

Important Items to include in your Go-Kit:

Water (one gallon per person per day for several days)
- This is A LOT of water, but you need water to drink, possibly cook with, and potentially bathe with
  - e.g. If you have 4 family members and you want your Go-Kit to last 7 days, you will need 28 gallons of water!
- If there is a nursing mother in your family and if you live in a warm weather climate, you may need more water on hand than the suggested amount
- Make sure the water you store has been commercially bottled (for its longevity), and make sure it’s stored in its sealed, original container
- Store water in a cool, dark place
Food (a several day supply of non-perishable foods)
- Make sure you have enough non-perishable food to keep all your family members fed for at least a week. Use your best judgement on how much food to put in your kit based on how much your family members typically eat
- Non-perishable foods are foods that don’t need to stay frozen or refrigerated. Bonus points if they are foods that don’t need to be heated, as you might not have access to a stove or microwave in emergency situations
- Keep your food in a cool, dry place
- Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
- Make sure to keep your family’s dietary preferences and restrictions in mind
- Suggested foods include:
  - Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
  - Protein or fruit bars
  - Dry cereal or granola
  - Peanut butter
  - Dried fruit
  - Canned juices
  - Non-perishable pasteurized milk
  - High-energy foods
  - Comfort/stress foods
Manual can opener
- Most non-perishable foods come in cans, so you need one of these to get into your food supply
Battery powered or hand-crank radio
- This will allow you to receive situation updates
NOAA weather radio with tone alert
- This will allow you to receive weather updates in cases of severe weather
Flashlight
- Even better if it’s hand crank! That way if you run out of batteries, you can still use the flashlight
Extra batteries
- They should be compatible with your radio and flashlight
First Aid Kit
- Make sure to include basic cold medications, pain medications, antacids, laxatives (etc.) in addition to the other basic components of a first-aid kit
Whistle
- This can be used to signal for help
Dust mask (one for each family member)
- For filtering contaminated air
Plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape
- This is for sealing up your windows and doors to prevent dangerous airborne agents from entering
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties
- Not having running water and a functional toilet isn’t ideal, but it may happen. Keep these supplies in your kit for a makeshift bathroom
Wrench or pliers
- These are handy for turning on/off utilities like the natural gas line
Physical maps of the local area
- You may not have access to a GPS but need to get somewhere on foot or by car, so this will be of pivotal use
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
- You can buy a cheap flip-phone to always keep in your kit or simply add your own phone when your Go-Kit is in use. If you do the second option, make sure your kit already has the necessary chargers and battery

Additional Items you might want to include:

Soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes
- These supplies will help keep you and the area you’re sheltering in clean
Prescription medications (if applicable)
- You’ll need to add these as soon as you start putting together your Go-Kit. Make sure they’re organized and easily grabbable in an emergency
Prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and contact solution (if applicable)
Infant formula, bottles, diapers, diaper rash cream, etc. (if applicable)
- If you have young children, make sure you put any extra supplies they would need in your Go-Kit
Pet food and extra water for your pet (if applicable) – (see below for more pet specific instructions)
- Include as much food and water for your pet(s) as you include for yourself, so if your Go-Kit is prepped for 7 days, make sure you have 7 days’ worth of pet food
  - Make sure it’s stored in an air-tight, waterproof container
- Depending on the size of your pet, you may need an additional half to full gallon of water a day for them
- Include dishes for your pets to eat/drink from
Cash or traveler’s checks
- You might need money to purchase more supplies if the opportunity arises
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records
- These should be saved electronically, and physical copies should be kept in a portable, waterproof container
Sleeping bag and/or warm blanket for each person
- You never know what the weather will be like when an emergency happens, and you’ll need a way to stay warm and get a level of comfortable sleep
Complete change of clothing for each family member
- Make sure it’s appropriate to your local climate
- Include a pair of sturdy shoes for each family member as well
Fire extinguisher
- You might need to put out a fire
Matches in a waterproof container/or a fire starter
- You might need a way to start a fire
Personal hygiene items
- Deodorant, disposable toothbrushes and toothpaste, supplies to clean yourself (baby wipes if necessary), feminine hygiene products (if applicable), etc.
Mess kits and/or paper cups, plates, bowls, paper towels, and plastic utensils
- You will need something to eat/drink from
Paper and pencil
- You may want this to keep track of radio communications and supplies
Activities
- It’s likely you may get bored while sheltering, especially young children. Include some toys, games, cards, puzzles, etc. to pass the time

Helpful Tips:

Update your Go-Kit each year. Items will expire and need replacing, and your family’s needs may change
Keep your main Go-Kit at home, in a place that’s easily accessible, and where every family member knows where it is
Keep a miniature Go-Kit at work and in your car in case you’re caught in an emergency scenario away from home (see below)

Additional Go-Kit Tips for your Pets:

In addition to food and water for your pet, you may also want to include:

Pet medicine
- Put an extra supply of the medicine your pets usually take in your Go-Kit
Pet first-aid kit
- Ask your veterinarian what things would be most appropriate to keep in a first-aid kit for your pet’s needs
Extra collar and leash
- It’s suggested that your pet’s collar includes some sort of ID tag
Important pet documents
- Include copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a water-proof container. Save them electronically as well
Traveling bag, crate, or sturdy carrier
- If you don’t have an extra, make sure their normal use crate/carrier is in a place you can easily grab in an emergency
Grooming items
- It will be helpful to have pet shampoo and conditioner, etc. on hand in case your pet needs cleaning up
Sanitation items
- Make sure you include the things you need to clean up after your pet. This could be litter and a litter box, dog bags, newspaper, paper towels, plastic trash bags, even chlorine bleach, etc.
A picture of you and your pet together
- This is important in case you and your pet are separated. This picture will provide others with proof of ownership and will allow them to assist you in finding/identifying your pet
Familiar items
- Include some of their favorite toys, treats, and bedding to reduce your pet’s stress

Additional Car Go-Kit Tips:

Keep smaller amounts of the basic things listed above for a typical home Go-Kit.

You also may want to include:
- Jumper cables
- Flares and/or a reflective triangle
  - This will help you be seen in the dark if your car is having problems
- Ice scraper
- Car cell phone charger
- Blanket
- Paper maps
- Cat litter or sand
  - This is for better tire traction in case your car gets stuck

Visit https://www.ready.gov/kit for more information on preparing for emergencies