Emergency Preparedness Backpack – Make a Go Bag

For a long time I’ve wanted to be better prepared for different situations that may arise. I’m not even talking about a zombie apocalypse or anything. I mean, cars break down, pipes freeze, heat fails. Even health emergencies can mean you’ll want to grab something quick and get going to be with a family member or take someone to the Emergency room. When the kids were smaller I tended to have the diaper bag always packed with extra clothes, water, and snacks. Now that they are a bit older we can literally have nothing, not even water handy on a hot day.

Plenty of times growing up in Zimbabwe we had shortages and water issues, while power outages occurred with every passing rain.  My mom always had candles, stored water, even extra toilet paper due to the fact that we actually did have a toilet paper shortage once. We were lucky enough that shortages often went in waves. The toilet paper shortage would let up and then there would be no matches, etc.

So how does one live in town or even a city and have a Emergency Preparedness Backpack? What would you put in it? That would depend on what you had in mind to prepare for. Do you get hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes where you live? Do you want a bag to keep in your car? In your front closet for when you need to grab it and go? These will determine what you keep in your Emergency Preparedness Backpack.

We have decided to make one for each family member that will be to help each person get through 2-3 days.

Here is a list of what we are putting in ours:

1. 1 change of clothes (change Fall and Spring)
2. 1 – 16oz or larger water bottle
3. flashlight
4. batteries
5. knives/multi-tool knives
6. snacks (granola bars, nuts)
7. toothbrush and toothpaste
8. soap (because, yes, I need my natural soap)
9. small toy or something comforting that the kids want to keep in it.
10. emergency blankets
11. tissues
12. hand towel

In Parent Bag:

1. matches and fire starter kit (two of us have these, not everyone)
2. first aid kit (including essential oils of course)
3. toilet paper
4. zip close bags

That seems like a lot, but it actually fits nicely in a bag when packaged right.

There are a lot of great resources out there if you’d like to learn more and get other ideas.

Check out these great articles :

Bug Out Bag List for Baby from the Homestead Lady

Bug Out List for Babies and Kids from the Homestead Lady

Getting Prepared For Beginners #5 The Backpack from The Rural Economist

72-Hour Bag: What to Run Away With When The Zombies Come! from Little Blog on the Homestead

Top 5 Bug Out Bag Necessities from Survival at Home

Ranking the Best Survival Kits from Survival at Home