It is surprising how many things we can pack into a small piece of luggage for a short weekend getaway. With that in mind, think how important it would be to have some essentials packed away in our automobiles just in case we experienced anything from a small
crisis to a big disaster. Would we be prepared if we were unable to return to our residence for a couple of days?
Having enough stuff in our vehicle during a crisis or disaster can make a big difference in not just comfort, but possibly survival. Since most of us have our automobiles nearby, putting together a ‘Go-Bag’ and making it a regular part of our auto equipment is really important. A ‘Go-Bag’ can be a soft-sided sports bag or even a plastic or cardboard storage box. The minimum inventory for an automobile ‘Go-Bag’ should include:
Extra clothing (sweatsuit or coveralls are excellent)
Comfortable walking shoes (sturdy tennis shoes or boots, including socks)
Flashlight with batteries (don’t store the batteries in the flashlight)
Safety road flares
Battery-powered AM/FM radio (or wind-up) but don’t store the batteries in the radio
Small first-aid kit
Bottled water (5 days worth = 1 gallon per day, per adult) for drinking and hygiene
Non-perishable finger foods (dried fruit, jerky, cookies, trail mix, etc.)
Hat, windbreaker, and gloves with leather palms
Blanket or bedroll
Critical medication
Personal toiletries (include an extra roll of toilet paper)
An extra set of undergarments
A small box of 10-gallon plastic garbage can liners (for sanitation purposes)
A copy of the ICS 214a “Individual Log” and other role-specific supplies for Emergency
Management team members
Make sure you keep perishable foods, water, and batteries up-to-date. We’re on the ‘Go’ a lot in California, so why not be prepared and keep a ‘Go-Bag’ loaded in our vehicle.
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