Bug out Bag essentials

 

Bug Out Bag Time

Good day my fellow Americans, it’s that time of year again when we have to face hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters across the country. So in order to prepare for any of these devastating situations, I’ve created a Bug Out Bag Essential listing to ensure you are never caught in a situation of “anything can happen” and you’re caught without certain things for survival. My Father always said that prior planning prevents piss poor performance and he was right. Every time I didn’t plan ahead I got caught in trouble, but when I was prepared, nothing ever happened. So now I believe in being prepared to just ensure I won’t need anything on the list at the last minute. So, let’s put that bag together now and have it ready for the unexpected.

No matter the situation or the emergency, it’s always good to have the following on hand and ready to escape the danger:

Food: You’ll want at least 5 days of non-perishable food, mostly canned and shelf-stable goods such as rice, energy bars, cookies, and perhaps military-grade MREs (meals ready to eat).

Cash: The stores will have the ability to ring up items electronically or allow you to use your debit or credit card to pay for items due to no electricity, which also means ATMs won’t be working either so be sure to have hard cash on hand, at least $300 in the 20s and 10s to cover any immediate purchases should you find a store open with supplies.

Water: A minimum case of large, bottled water per person. Plus 3 gallons of water per person (2) for cooking and (1) washing up purposes.

Portable Stove: be sure to also include fuel for the stove (Waterproof matches, solid fuel, fire starters)

Ziploc Bags, Multipurpose utility utensils such as knives, forks, spoons, can openers, screwdrivers, and multipurpose tools.

Clothes: Don't forget the various changes of clothes for each person in your family. At least 5 days' worth of clothes and remember the socks, hiking boots, and sneakers. 

First Aid:

First Aid Kit with bandages: plus, other essential items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries as needed for all involved in your emergency plan, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes and ointments, and prescriptions.

Essentials: Don’t forget the toilet paper, paper towels, tampons or pads, wet wipes, splint, condensed soap, don’t forget your glasses, and maybe a spare set just in case.

Animals: Don’t forget to pack for the fur babies such as prescriptions, heart guard, food, water, feeding bowls, and a crate if you have one, plus their favorite blanket.

Safety and Communications:

Whistle

Walkie Talkies

Compass

Watch

Hand Cranked Radio

Flashlight with extra batteries or get a hand-cranked operated flashlight

Glow sticks.

Cell phone with solar charger and maybe a small generator to help recharge the battery

Don’t forget charging cords for all devices including your laptop

Important Documents:

Any and all deeds or titles to home and vehicles

Bank Info: checkbook and savings book

Insurance policies

Health Records and doctor information

Will

Passports

Any and all legal documents

Social security card

Leases

Rental agreements

Family photos

Printed list of friends and family along with addresses to contact should you need to contact them.

Place all these items in a waterproof large Ziploc bag to ensure they don’t get damaged during the emergency.

Improvised items

Sewing Kit

Duct Tape is always helpful.

Zip Ties

Super Glue or E6000 glue

Garbage bags

Once you have your action plan and supplies in one place, be sure to go through them every 6 months and ensure you have what is needed for you and your family.  Remove anything that has expired such as batteries and canned foods (these should be rotated for safety reasons).  Remember that once things get chaotic, you’ll want to know that you are prepared to get up, grab your stuff, and boogie down the road to safety.

Also make sure that everyone in the household knows the plan of action and if not at home, knows where to go to to join you and the rest of the family during the emergency. Whether it be someone’s home, a hotel, or a shelter, you’ll want to know that your family is safe and with you during the emergency. Saves on the stress of not knowing. 

 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Graduating with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University kin Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.