Essential Gear for Emergency Kits: Cars & Go-Bags
Learn what essentials to pack for emergencies, including go-bags, fire safety gear, and survival tools in case of disasters.
New York: You never know when you’ll need to leave home fast. Bad events can happen anytime. That’s why you need a plan and an emergency kit ready.
Columbia University experts say there are two main emergency situations. In one case, you grab your go bag and jump in the car. This works well for fast-moving problems like wildfires. Your bag should have water for three days, clean water tablets, a flashlight, and batteries.
Sometimes you stay home during emergencies. Big snow storms can leave you without water or electricity. You might need power banks to charge phones and devices. You should plan for losing both power and water.
National Weather Service experts say you must think ahead about bad weather. Your emergency kit should have items from the Federal Emergency Management Agency checklist. Make sure you have things that fit your family’s special needs.
Begin by putting together basic items in a strong bag. Add water, food that won’t spoil, flashlights, and first aid supplies. Create separate kits for your home and car. Remember to include extras for babies, older people, or pets.
My teammate suggests meeting your neighbors as part of being ready. When people know each other, they can help during hard times. You can also read more online about staying safe in extreme weather.
Update: We added new items like air cleaners and water filters. We also included more about fire safety and cold weather plans.
What Goes in Your Emergency Go Bag?
Sometimes you get warnings before bad things happen. But orders to leave can come very fast. When everyone rushes to stores, shelves empty quickly. This is extra true if water becomes unsafe to drink.
Your emergency items depend on what your family needs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency website shows a complete checklist. Columbia University also has tools to help plan for different problems.