It's easy to feel underprepared when natural disasters strike. Having a go bag ready at home for any occasion will help alleviate some of those stresses by helping you stay prepared to keep yourself and loved ones safe in the event of an emergency.
Kevin Kelley, Senior Director for Community Preparedness at Red Cross defines a go bag as "an easily transportable kit containing essential supplies and comfort items to sustain your family for up to three days, should you need to leave your home."
Typically, these are kept in a backpack or other transportable bag. They're then stored in an easily accessible place so you can just grab it and go when the time comes.
If you don't know where to begin, we've got you covered. We spoke to experts at Red Cross and the Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness (EGEMDP) to find out everything you need to know to build useful, lasting go bags. Plus, we've also added some pre-made emergency kits with every item you'll need for safety and survival.
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Essentials to keep in the best go bags, according to experts
EGEMDP member Emilie Leumas is no stranger to packing a proper emergency kit. In fact, she made one just recently:
"I [recently] was in Indiana and at the hotel we received a tornado alert to be ready if we needed to seek shelter," she says. "I packed my small backpack with items from my purse, cell phone charger, water bottle and a snack. I then put my clothes near the bed in case I had to dress quickly in the night and head to the shelter. I was ready just in case."
According to guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), some of the most important items to have when evacuating your home are:
- A first-aid kit
- A battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Non-perishable food (canned goods, protein bars) and water
- Extra batteries and a backup charger
- Sleeping bags
“The key to a go bag is what events are most likely going to occur in your region (earthquake, tornado, flood, hurricane, etc),” Leumas adds. “Each may have a warning or a period that you can pack other items depending on the evacuation.”
While it’s crucial to stick to the basic necessities listed for emergency kits or added to pre-made bags, Kelley also emphasizes the importance of not crafting your kit under a “one size fits all” mindset.
“When building your kit, take into consideration the particular make up of your family and what needs they may have in and out of the home in the event of an emergency,” she says. This may mean adding extra prescription medication, comfort and play items for kids and even supplies to contain and care for your pets.
Pre-made emergency kits
Stay storm-ready with this emergency kit that, along with basic survival necessities, also includes ponchos and poly-cotton gloves to help you manage extreme weather. This three-day bag has enough supplies for four people, making it ideal for you and the family.
This survival backpack has all the tools you need for when you need to evacuate your home. From a first-aid kit to a gas mask and emergency ponchos, this pack has a variety of products to help you in a wide range of different circumstances. It also includes 36 servings of food with a shelf life of up to 25 years, according to the brand.
This go bag is pre-packaged with three days’ worth of supplies for four people. With purified water, tools, a radio and goggles for dusty air, you’ll be able to remain safe with these essentials. For smaller families, Emergency Zone also offers a two-person survival bag.
First-aid kits for go bags
This classic first-aid kit is not only a home essential, but a great pick if you're building your own go bag. With a variety of Band-Aids, bandages and other remedies for injuries, you'll get plenty of use out of this compact set.
This first-aid kit includes helpful tools for some extreme weather and natural conditions, such as burn relief cream for high heat and anti-itch and antibiotic ointments in case of burns, scratches or cuts. Plus, it comes in a small, compact case that makes it easy to pack in any go bag.
Building a go bag with the family is a great way to educate your littles about emergency safety, but sometimes, talking about these things might scare them. Fortunately, this first-aid kit will help you turn creating an emergency go bag into a fun and educational activity for the whole family. With lots of colors and patterns to choose from, the kiddos will be able to learn about basic first-aid without feeling afraid.
Batteries and chargers for go bags
The CDC and FEMA both recommend having additional batteries on in your go bag in the event of an evacuation to help power essential tools such as flashlights and radios. These AAA batteries from Energizer are likely to already be in your household, but if not, snagging a pack of these is a great way to ensure critical devices are functioning during an emergency.
If you’re searching for efficient AA batteries for your go bag, look no further. These Duracell batteries last for over a decade when stored, according to the brand, so you can leave them in your go bag for years without needing a replacement.
Having an extra power bank on hand during an emergency isn’t just helpful, it can be lifesaving. This small, portable charger can easily slip into your go bag and will provide your device with extra battery life in case you lose electricity or are stuck without an outlet for a cable.
This set of Amazon batteries come with their own charger that increases their lasting life, which is something that could definitely come in handy during a time of need. The set also includes both AA and AAA batteries, so you can power a wide variety of devices.
This award-winning portable charger can power up to four devices at once, so everyone's devices can stay juiced up. It comes with two different charging wires built in and has two additional charging ports.
Nonperishable food for go bags
A nutritious fruit is always a great snack to have on your day-to-day, and these canned ones are a great, long-lasting item to have in your go bag. If pineapples aren't your preference, you can try other canned fruit options such as peaches, oranges, pears and more.
Milk, in the traditional sense, isn't a long-lasting beverage you can just keep in a bag for years. Fortunately, by buying milk in its powdered form, you can actually store it for a long time without having to worry about it going bad and you can have a quick, instant beverage at your disposal when needed.
The CDC and FEMA emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and keeping water in your emergency kit. While you may not be able to carry around a whole case of water bottles with you on-the-go, you can buy one and stuff multiple bags with bottles so that you and your loved ones are prepared.
These packs of canned tuna not only have a long shelf-life, but they're also a great way to remain nourished when your food options are limited. Each serving includes 20 grams of protein, so that you can keep your energy levels up and hunger low throughout the days.
These lemon-flavored bars have a shelf life of five years and contain a rich vitamin mix to help you get in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, D and calcium, according to the brand.
Tools for go bags
The FEMA evacuation guide specifically lists wrenches as a recommended tool to pack for survival. This classic, adjustable wrench will help you when you need to get through tough screws or, on the other hand, put something back together.
When you're dealing with tons of canned food, it only makes sense to have a sturdy opener on hand as well. This KitchenAid device is made with stainless steel, making it a helpful, durable option to keep in your go bag for whenever you need a meal.
FEMA also suggests keeping pliers on hand to help break through tough wires and repair bags and tools. These pliers are specifically designed to have a comfortable grip so that you can use them without putting too much strain on your hand.
Whether you're traveling through dark spaces, trying to locate others or even trying to make yourself seen to passersby, a flashlight is a useful addition to your go bag. This Energizer model also comes with extra batteries to ensure that you won't run out of power.
Other essential supplies for go bags
Whether you're trying to make yourself known or call upon others nearby, having a whistle with you is imperative to survival. These Fox 40 whistles are affordable, loud and small enough to easily be thrown into your go bag, even if it's already filled up.
If you find yourself without internet, it's incredibly beneficial to have a radio with you so you can listen to important announcements broadcasted on news channels. The Prunus Portable radio is battery-powered and comes with its own antenna to help you get the best signal possible, wherever you are.
The last thing that you should be stressing over during an emergency are your valuables, which is why deputy managing editor Jess Bender recommends them for any go bag.
“My dad always preached the importance of preparing for the worst ever since I was a kid, but I didn’t know how much I needed to have that on top of mind until my neighborhood faced several forest fires over the span of two weeks about a year or change ago.”
She adds, “Regardless of what happened, I had a little peace of mind knowing that my essential documents were at least protected inside this fireproof folder and ready to bring along in case of evacuation. While it looks small on the outside, it has enough room inside for birth certificates, tax documents, insurance papers, passports, cash and other prized valuables.”
In the event of a fire in the home, having these fiberglass blankets can help you extinguish nearby, dangerous flames. Social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo recommends these for your go bag: “My mom gifted my whole family these for the holidays. Great for those who can’t cook.”
If you find yourself alone or stranded in the midst of an emergency, this is an especially useful tool to have with you. This personal safety alarm emits an incredibly loud siren noise when the top clip is pulled and also beams out flashing lights to help you be seen as well as heard.
In an event where you'll have to sleep outdoors, it is essential to have a sleeping bag on hand to protect you from outdoor weather and temperatures that could affect your health. The Kelty Cantena 30 sleeping bag has a compact design that makes it easy to travel with and fit into your emergency kit.
Frequently asked questions
"Your go-kit should be in an easily transportable container like a backpack, duffle bag or plastic bin. It should be stored in an easily accessible location where it can be grabbed quickly in the event you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice," says Kevin Kelley, Senior Director for Community Preparedness at Red Cross.
For larger kits that span up to 2 weeks, Kelley adds, "Your emergency preparedness kit can be stored in a larger container in a central location like the pantry or a closet. "
ICA Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness member Emilie Leumas says, "one of the main things people neglect is preparing ahead of time and thinking through what they need. Taking photos/digital scans of your important documents, having phone numbers of key family members (not just stored in your phone) so that you can contact them."
Pre-made go bags are a great way to get many necessary resources in one click, but EGEMDP member Emelie Lumas stresses that "you can find some ready made that have essentials — first aid kit, water, non-perishable food, toilet paper, flash light, electric. But these are generic items and one will still need to pack the personal items and medication needed for the individual."
For Red Cross Senior Director for Community Preparedness, Kevin Kelley, also says that pre-made kits "can be a used as a great starting point," but adds that "when building your kit, take into consideration the particular makeup of your family and what needs they may have in and out of the home in the event of an emergency."
How we chose
We used professional government guidelines from FEMA and the CDC, alongside expert advice and our own personal experiences with brands and shopping, to find the most helpful supplies to include in your emergency go bags.
Meet the experts
- Kevin Kelley is the Senior Director for Community Preparedness Programs at the American Red Cross. He is credited with implementing campaigns for the company that reach millions with safety education and home emergency preparedness.
- Emilie Leumas is a member of the Expert Group on Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness (EGEMDP) at the International Council of Archives (ICA).
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