National Preparedness Month
In the event of an emergency, every person in your household needs to have a bag packed and ready to go. Go Bags (sturdy, easy-to-carry bags like a backpack or small suitcase on wheels) should contain what you’ll need if you have to leave your home in a hurry. Here’s a list of essentials:
- Copies of important documents (insurance cards, birth certificates, deeds, photo IDs, proof of address) in a waterproof, portable container
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Copies of credit/ATM cards
- Cash (in small bills)
- Bottled water and nonperishable food, such as energy or granola bars
- LED flashlight (which lasts ten times longer than a traditional flashlight)
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio
- Extra batteries/chargers
- A list of the medications each member of your household takes, why they take them, and their dosages. If you store extra medication in your Go Bag, be sure to refill it before it expires.
- First-aid kit
- Toiletries
- Notepad and pen
- Contact and meeting place information for your household and a small regional map
- Lightweight raingear and Mylar blanket
- Go Bags for children should also have child care supplies plus games and small toys
Your pet should have a Go Bag too, containing:
- A current color photo of you and your pet together (in case you are separated)
- Copies of medical records that indicate dates of vaccinations plus any medications your pet needs
- Proof of identification and ownership, including copies of registration information, adoption papers, proof of purchase, and microchip information
- Physical description of your pet, including species, breed, age, sex, color, and distinguishing traits
- First-aid kit, including flea and tick treatment and other items recommended by your veterinarian
- Food and water for at least three days
- Food and water dishes
- Collapsible cage or carrier
- Muzzle and sturdy leash
- Cotton sheet to place over the carrier to help keep your pet calm
- Comforting toys or treats
- Litter, litter pan, and litter scoop
- Plastic bags for clean-up
Visit New York City’s Get Prepared page for more tips on preparation. And be sure to download the FEMA App, which will put a ton of resources for you and your family, as well as alerts and warnings, directly into the palm of your hand.
