Zettel 202109072304: I need a Go Bag and Stay Bin.
Climate change is driving the need for emergency preparedness. I thought about packing a go bag for a few years now. And I also thought about preparing for a long, trapped stay at home. The kind of stay with no power, running water, or emergency help. Enter: the go bag and stay bin.
The Go Bag
- Emergency whistles (Yay! I already have some of these!)
- Water
- Snacks
- Important documents like birth certificates, passports, and social security cards. I should place them in a waterproof bag.
- Pet records
- Pet supplies like food, extra leash, and harness. A portable water bowl
- Extra phone chargers and emergency chargers
- batteries
- flashlight
- A list with phone numbers from close family members or anyone else I need to contact. This list is for me and for someone who may need to contact someone on my behalf.
- Extra pair glasses or contacts if possible.
- Cash (small bills if possible)
- First aid kit
- Masks (regardless of a pandemic)
- Extra medication
- Extra car keys
- A map
- A compass
- A survival field manual
Of course, some of these items may take time to collect. But, I can always get started with the simple items that I already have.
I should also consider starting individual go bags for each family member. That helps them have the unique items that they each need.
The Stay Bin
- All the items from your Go Bag plus . . .
- Extra blankets
- Firewood
- Solar cell phone charger
- Candles
- Matches
- Headlamp
- Two weeks supply of non-perishable food
- Two weeks supply of non-perishable pet food
- Two weeks supply of water for everyone in your household (plus pets)
- A hand-crank weather radio
- An uninterruptable power supply
- Extra toiletries (toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes
- Trash bags
- Hand wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Duct Tape
- Multi-purpose tools
Place these items in several large bins. That way, you won’t use them until the time they’re needed. And you’ll also have it all in one place.
Bonus: Crisis Notebook
I should also create a document that tells the family what to do if I become incapacitated. And of course, I need to make sure they can find it. I guess I can throw that in the go bag.
References:
Parker-Pope, T. (2021, September 2), Is Your ‘Go Bag’ Ready? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/02/well/go-bag-essentials.html?smid=url-share
A special thanks to Pocket for recommending the NY Times article.
September 7, 2021 projects preparation preparedness