Why You Need a First Aid Go-Bag in Case of Emergency

(Newswire.net — December 19, 2017) Woodbridge, VA — It would have been hard to miss the extreme weather the U.S. has experienced in 2017. From wildfires to hurricanes to snowstorms to tornadoes, the weather has shown us just important it is to be prepared in the face of disaster. If your town had a storm looming, would you be ready to evacuate?

A go-bag is what it implies – a bag that you can grab on the go as you leave town to wait out a bad storm. It contains all that you need to survive for a given period of time; experts recommend a go-bag should have enough supplies to last three days. There are ready-made options available for purchase, but it is also simple enough to purchase the items separately to create your own, personalized go-bag.

A go-bag could include the following items:

• Prescription medications and eyeglasses
• Infant formula and diapers (if applicable)
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, bank account records, I.D. cards and, in case of separation, photos of family members and pets
• Cash
• Backpack
• Battery powered flashlight
• External battery (fully charged)
• Spare batteries
• Non-perishable foods (canned foods, protein bars, etc)
• Eating utensils
• Can opener
• Multi-tool
• Water (at least 1 gallon per person, per day)
• Pet food and water for your pet (if applicable)
• Work Gloves
• Light Sticks (3 each)
• Wet wipes
• Breathing Masks (NIOSH-N95)
• Plastic Sheeting
• Rain Ponchos
• Personal First Aid Kit , including prescription and non-prescription medications
• Trauma Shears
• Roll of Duct Tape
• Whistle
• Sleeping bag for each person
• Garbage bags
• Blanket or mylar blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing, appropriate for your climate and season
• Personal Hygiene Kit (feminine supplies, shampoo/body wash, wash cloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, deodorant)
• Sunscreen
• Entertainment (non-electronic) for children
• Battery-operated radio
• Local maps
• Glasses and contact lens solution
• Water purification tablets
• Fire extinguisher
• Fire starting kit, or matches in a waterproof container
• First aid knowledge- of course this is not something you can physically pack, but it is wise to take first aid courses from a certified organization in case of any emergency

This is a comprehensive checklist, and depending on your evacuation situation, it may make sense to pack lighter. Packing a go-bag for evacuation may seem daunting, but is quite common across the U.S., and most items needed in a go-bag are easily found around the home or in a store. Designate an area in the home (or car or office) where the go-bag is kept and start adding supplies and ticking items off the checklist. Before you know it, your go-bag will be complete!