Why every family needs an emergency go bag: Tips to stay prepared

Sara Goldstein
·8-min read
Disaster 'go' bag
Photo Credit: Canva / Motherly

With natural disasters on the rise, taking steps to prepare is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your family. From the devastating wildfires that have scarred the West Coast to the increasingly powerful hurricanes battering our coastal communities, extreme weather events are no longer once-in-a-lifetime occurrences–they’re becoming more frequent.

The numbers are sobering: according to the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT) of the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), the annual number of natural disasters worldwide has quadrupled since the 1970s–from about 100 per year to around 400 events annually in recent decades. That means families today need to be more prepared than ever.

A quick-start guide for busy parents

Before diving into the full checklist, here are five essential items to get started:

  • A three-day supply of water and non-perishable food for each family member

  • Copies of important documents (ID, insurance, medical records) stored in a waterproof container

  • A flashlight, extra batteries, and a portable phone charger

  • Essential medications and a well-stocked first aid kit

  • Emergency contacts, local shelter locations, and a small comfort item for kids

Even if you can only pull together a few of these items today, every step toward preparedness makes a difference.

Why preparedness looks different for everyone

We know that building an emergency kit takes time, money, and energy—and not everyone has the same resources to spare. If you’re starting from scratch, focus on just a few essentials first, like water, non-perishable food, and a flashlight. Over time, you can build your kit as you’re able.

If you do have the means to prepare, consider ways to help others in your community, whether that’s donating extra supplies to shelters, checking in on elderly neighbors, or sharing preparedness tips with friends and family.

Related: How to talk to your kids about the California wildfires—and take action as a family

Essential categories to consider

When it comes to emergency preparation, first responders swear by the “6 P’s” rule–a simple way to remember what matters most in an evacuation:

  • People and Pets: Your absolute first priority

  • Papers: Important documents and identification

  • Prescriptions: Medications and medical supplies

  • Pictures: Irreplaceable memories

  • Personal Computers: Hardware and data backups

  • Plastic: Credit cards and cash

These six essentials provide a quick mental checklist. Now, let’s break down how to prepare for each category in detail. Your go bag should contain items that could sustain your family for at least 72 hours–the typical time it might take for help to arrive in a major disaster.

1. Documentation & Communication

When evacuation calls, there’s no time to dig through filing cabinets. Store these essentials in a waterproof container or sealed bag:

  • Copies of identification documents (driver’s licenses, birth certificates, passports)—consider both physical copies and encrypted digital backups

  • Insurance policies and property deeds/lease agreements

  • Emergency contact list, including out-of-state contacts (because local lines might be down)

  • Recent photos of family members and pets (helpful if separated)

  • Portable charger and backup battery for phones

  • Small emergency radio with extra batteries

2. Basic Survival Supplies

These are your core items that address fundamental needs:

  • Water: One gallon per person per day (minimum three days)

  • Non-perishable food that requires no cooking (aim for 2,000 calories per person per day)

  • Manual can opener and basic utensils

  • First aid kit with prescription medications

  • Flashlights and extra batteries

  • Multi-tool or basic tool kit

  • Emergency blankets and weather-appropriate clothing (Pro tip: Grab your laundry basket! It’s full of the clothes your family actually wears, and they’re already seasonally appropriate.)

  • Face masks

  • Hand sanitizer and personal hygiene items

3. Family-Specific Needs

This is where your kit gets personal, based on who you’re caring for:

  • Infant needs: Formula, diapers, wipes, portable changing pad

  • Kid-specific medications and allergy information

  • Pet supplies: Food, medications, leash, portable bowl, waste bags

  • Extra glasses or contact lenses

  • Feminine hygiene products

  • Essential medical devices and backup power sources

  • Copies of current medication lists and prescriptions

4. Comfort & Emotional Support

Because mental well-being matters, especially for little ones:

  • Small stuffed animals or comfort items for children

  • Lightweight books or tablets loaded with books/games

  • Paper and crayons/colored pencils

  • Family photos

  • Simple card games

  • Small comfort snacks (consider dietary restrictions)

  • Notebook and pens for journaling or activity tracking

Related: Are you prepared for disasters? Here’s a stress-reducing checklist for every emergency

Understanding your specific needs by region

While our core list covers the basics, your location will determine many of your specific prep needs. Let’s break it down by region:

Coastal Areas (Hurricane & Flooding Zones)

Your primary concerns are water damage, power outages, and potential evacuation. Add these to your kit:

  • Waterproof dry bags for electronics and documents

  • Inflatable life jackets or flotation devices

  • Battery-powered NOAA weather radio

  • Waterproof matches and light sources

  • Heavy-duty garbage bags and plastic sheeting

  • Extra changes of moisture-wicking clothing (that laundry basket tip is extra important here!)

  • Portable battery-powered fan

Western Regions (Wildfire Zones)

Speed is critical during wildfire evacuations, and air quality is a major concern:

  • N95 masks (several per person)

  • Goggles or eye protection

  • Bandanas or neck gaiters

  • Emergency fire blankets

  • Battery-powered air quality monitor

  • List of multiple evacuation routes (wildfires can shift quickly)

  • Emergency scanner app preloaded on your phone

Midwest & Plains (Tornado Alley)

Tornados give minimal warning time, so your kit needs to be grab-and-go ready:

  • Sturdy shoes (for walking through debris)

  • Work gloves

  • Emergency whistle

  • Lightweight but warm clothing (layering is key)

  • Small tarp

  • Portable weather alert radio

  • Detailed map of local storm shelters

Earthquake-Prone Areas

Focus on items that help with structural damage and potential isolation:

  • Work gloves and sturdy shoes

  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

  • Emergency water filtration system

  • Light stick or glow sticks

  • Dust masks and eye protection

  • Small collapsible shovel

  • Signal mirror or emergency whistle

Snow Belt Regions

Winter storms can leave you stranded or without power:

  • Extra warm layers (wool performs better than cotton)

  • Hand warmers and emergency blankets

  • Snow gear including boots

  • Ice scraper and small shovel

  • Windshield de-icer

  • High-calorie snacks

  • Tire chains and emergency flares

Remember: These regional considerations should supplement, not replace, your basic go bag items. And don’t forget to update your supplies seasonally–what works in summer might not cut it in winter. Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone to review your regional supplies when you change your clocks for daylight savings.

A note on building your kit

Let’s be real: looking at this list of supplies can feel overwhelming (and expensive). Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, start with the absolute basics: water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, and copies of important documents.

Set aside a specific monthly budget – even $20-30 can get you started–and build from there.

  • Check dollar stores for basics like batteries and first aid supplies.

  • Join local “buy nothing” groups where people often share extra emergency supplies.

  • Adjust your emergency kit as seasons change—what works in summer might not cut it in winter.

Some preparation is better than none—just getting started puts you ahead.

When to use your go bag

When disaster strikes, you often have minutes, not hours, to evacuate. Here are some quick-action tips:

  • Keep your go bag in an easily accessible place (not buried in the attic!)

  • Have a mental checklist of last-minute items to grab (medications, phones, etc.)

  • Don’t waste precious time deliberating—stick to your pre-planned essentials

  • If you have advance warning (like with some hurricanes), add fresh water and any additional seasonal items

Additional resources

Being prepared means staying informed. Here are some trusted resources to help you stay on top of emergency preparedness:

  • Ready.gov – The federal government’s official emergency preparedness site. Sign up for their emergency alerts specific to your area.

  • FEMA Mobile App – Free app providing real-time alerts, emergency safety tips, and locations of emergency shelters.

  • American Red Cross Emergency App – Provides instant access to weather alerts, first aid information, and location sharing during disasters.

  • Your Local Emergency Management Office – Connect with them on social media or bookmark their website for area-specific updates and evacuation routes.

  • National Weather Service – The most reliable source for weather alerts and natural disaster tracking.

  • Local Community Groups – Many communities have Facebook groups or Nextdoor networks dedicated to emergency preparedness and mutual aid.

For Parents

Pro tip: Save these links in a notes app on your phone and bookmark them in your browser.

Consider taking a basic first aid course through your local Red Cross chapter – nothing beats hands-on emergency preparation! Many Red Cross chapters also offer family-focused preparedness classes where kids can learn alongside parents.

Related: Building an emergency fund: A how-to guide

The bottom line

Emergency preparedness isn’t about living in fear—it’s about empowering yourself to protect what matters most. As parents, we already juggle a million things, and adding “prepare for disasters” to the mental load can feel overwhelming. But every small step you take toward preparedness is an act of love for your family and your community.

Start small, build gradually, and forgive yourself for not having it all figured out right away. Most importantly, share what you learn. Talk to your neighbors, help your kids understand emergency plans without scaring them, and build a community that looks out for one another. Because when disaster strikes, we’re all in this together.

Stay safe out there.

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