Shutterstock
Whether you live in a hurricane-prone area of the country or you’re more likely to experience a sudden earthquake, it’s important to be prepared.
No matter where you live in the country, natural disasters affect all of us in some way. So, rather than panic and freak out when they do occur, put a plan in place ahead of time.
In fact, it is recommended to have a “go” bag packed so that whenever disaster strikes, you’ll be ready to go. It may feel like you’re preparing for the apocalypse, but hey, that could happen at any time too!
Read on to learn more about what you should put in your “go” bag, including food, water, and even important documents.
First thing’s first, make sure your bag is waterproof and durable enough to withstand all types of weather.
Once you have that figured out, take photocopies of important documents — including birth certificates, passports, and drivers licenses — and put them inside the bag.
No one ever thinks their important documents will be destroyed, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
This also may seem like an extreme addition, but it’s important to make sure you and your family have a way of connecting with each other — and safety personal — should you need to leave the house ASAP.
Pick up a generic flip phone (these cost around $20) and make sure to pre-program important phone numbers into the phone ahead of time.
If you’re being forced to leave your home at a moment’s notice, there’s no guarantee you’ll have enough money in your wallet to get you where you need to go. Keep an envelope of cash inside your bag, just in case you need it.
This is obvious, but make sure to include bottles of water and non-perishable food items, such as nuts, granola bars, etc.
And, if you have pets, include their food in the bag as well.
Keep a handy dandy first aid kit in the bag, should someone in your family be injured or need medication.
If someone in your family takes a daily prescription, make sure to include that in the bag too.
If possible, back extra sets of clothes for the people in your family. If it’s easier, keep an extra bag in the trunk of your car with sweatshirts, undergarments, and pants.
Keep deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other toiletry items inside the bag should you be away for a long period of time.
