Are you ready for an emergency, in case you and your family have to evacuate quickly? Pack an emergency Go Bag ready for storms, floods, hurricanes, or even a personal family emergency that requires immediate travel.
Here’s the list of must haves from the NYC Dept. of Emergency Management, to grab and go.
We published this first in preparation for Superstorm Sandy, which devastated so much of New York City and the Northeast. With the 2016 hurricane season now officially underway, and it’s worth publishing again as a reminder as of the importance of being prepared.
A Go Bag should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack or suitcase on wheels, and it should be easy to find, grab and go if you have to leave your home in a hurry. A Go Bag should be ready to go at all times of the year.
- Copies of your important documents in a waterproof and portable container (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address, etc.)
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Credit and ATM cards and cash, especially in small denominations. We recommend you keep at least $50-$100 on hand.
- Bottled water and non-perishable food such as energy or granola bars
- Flashlight. Traditional flashlight bulbs have limited lifespans. Light Emitting Diode (LED) flashlights, however, are more durable and last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio and extra batteries
- Keep a list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. Medication information and other essential personal items. If you store extra medication in your Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires.
- First-aid kit
- Contact and meeting place information for your household, and a small regional map
- Child care supplies or other special care items
Let’s hope you don’t need it. But it always pays to be prepared.
What do you think about this? We welcome your comments.