The Emergency Bag Which You Make at Home

Are you ready to make your own emergency bag or bug out bag? In years long ago, there were Civil Defense shelters that were equipped with basic materials to support a specified number of occupants. Now, all you can reasonably expect is a large room with no supplies for you and little more than floor space.

There is simply no way to predict the future. Also, there is not enough money or storage space to stock and maintain all the disaster shelters that could possibly exist in the country. What this means to you is that IT IS UP TO YOU to be prepared.

Let us get started on the contents of the bag with a list of what you expect to take with you. This will determine how large or small the bag will be.

Automatically rule out suitcases, cardboard boxes or any type of bulk containers for your emergency bag. Do not use a plastic garbage bag as this will be easily confused with trash and left behind. Remember you might be carrying it for while. Do you really think you will simply drive to your destination, pull up next to the door and unload? That is not realistic.

So here is what your emergency bag must contain:

• Water for 3 days; How much water for each day?
• Food for 3 days; Meals Ready to Eat
• A sleeping bag or blankets and air mattress;
• A rain coat;
• Soap and towels. The towels double as pillows, if needed;
• First aid kit, something beyond band-aids;
• Flashlight with a spare set of batteries or a crank/squeeze powered flashlight;
• Radio or portable TV for access to information about the situation, battery operated of course.

  Something for you to consider: Many radio stations are now automated. Some have no news and some get their news from local TV stations. It is disconcerting to listen to the news announcer say things like; “As you can see on the screen, the storm is passing by Main Street and Pine street” Where? A portable TV is rapidly more informative than the radio.

• Your cell phone; (It might not work. Take it anyway and turn on as necessary as you probably will not have a way to charge the batteries.)
• Knife
• Matches or a lighter; and
• Food for your pets IF allowed at the shelter.

In our case, we used a parachute bag that measures 24 x 15 x 14 that is almost 3 cubic feet worth of storage space. It is a canvas material with carrying straps and hooks for a shoulder strap to make it easier to carry.

The sleeping bags are kept in a separate military duffle bag with the air mattress. Remember this is material to be used at the temporary emergency shelter. If you are going to the woods you will need more supplies to provide shelter.

There will also be bags for each family member containing items specific to the individual. Clothes, underwear, prescriptions, toiletries, etc. can be packed at the last second as needed. Large gym bags are great for this application. Get a different color for each family member.

Building Materials for Shelter

Clean Water During an Emergency

Disaster Preparation for Your Home and Securing Your Property

Emergency Home Plans For Your Family

Forest Fires Leave You Little or No Time to Prepare

Going to an Emergency Shelter

How Do You Avoid Civil Unrest During a Disaster?

Hurricanes - Do You Know What to Do Should One Head Your Way?

Information on Floods

Insurance Information and Other Important Family Documents

Meals Ready to East - Military Style Survival Food

The Bug Out Bag or Emergency Bag You Buy Online

Whether You Have a Snow Storm or Ice Storm - Be Prepared

The Emergency Bar Which You Make at Home to Home Page