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An emergency can happen anywhere - when we’re at work, school, running errands, or attending social or sporting events. To be prepared wherever emergencies strike, we need to create go kits! A go kit is a small collection of emergency preparedness items that you can use until you get back home, to your larger kit, or to a shelter or a family/friend’s house. You should have a go kit in your car, at home, in your office, and by your bed. Let’s chat about what should go in each and why they are necessary.
By the bed kit
This kit is full of items that can help protect you after an earthquake. It should contain sturdy shoes, socks, a head lamp, and thick work gloves.
Car go kit
This kit can help if your car breaks down or if an emergency happens while you're in it. Half of the kit contains items specific to car maintenance, and the other half is for you to use while waiting in your car.
Car support items:
- Jumper cables
- Flares or reflective triangles
- Work gloves
Helpful items for you:
- Car phone chargers
- Water and snacks
- Blanket
- First aid kit
- Printed maps
You can personalize your go kit for the season as well.
- Winter: mini shovel; sand or kittle litter, traction devices, hat and gloves
- Summer: sunscreen; N95 mask for smoke
Home go kit
This kit is helpful for when you and your family need to evacuate your house quickly. It should be easy to carry, and have things like:
- copies of important documentation,
- a first aid kit,
- change of clothes,
- phone and other device charger,
- important medication
- paper maps of your area
- your family communication and reunification plan
Work go kit
Keeping some emergency supplies in your office or a locker at work can be helpful, especially if the emergency keeps you from easily getting home or happens to the building you are in. You should have:
- Non-perishable food (great for when you forget lunch!)
- Flashlight or glow stick
- Toiletries like deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste
- A whistle
- Water
- Cash in small bills
- Phone charger
- Change of clothes
If you’ve made it this far in the blog, you’re probably thinking, “wow, this is a lot of stuff!” You’re correct, it is a lot. But in many cases, these are items we already own; it’s just a matter of collecting them and putting them all in one place.
Start by picking one go kit type and working on gathering all of the items you already own. Ask family members to help you find the items you’re looking for. For anything you don’t have, check out thrift stores, use your local BuyNothing groups, or add it to your next grocery store trip.