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Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Fires...Everyone Needs a “Bug Out” Bag

By
Home Stager

Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Floods, Fires...Everyone Needs a “Bug Out” Bag

It sounds a bit like Jack Bauer or Leroy Gibbs, but you really should consider some kind of bug out or emergency “to go” bag for you and each member of emergency kityour family, including your 4 legged ones.

 

What is an Emergency “To go” bag?

It’s going to differ for every person and family but basically, it’s what you would need to survive and function outside of your home if you suddenly had to leave. And, you would also want to consider a situation in which you would not be able to return to your home for a considerable length of time, or ever.

 

Where to begin…

Make a list of what you absolutely would need if you had to be out of your house for several days.

Take each family member into consideration.

 

Gather what you would need...

A list won’t do you much good if you are running around trying to gather everything at the last minute. That said, there are some items that you use on a daily basis that need to be included, such as your medications.

For medications, jewelry, and items that are needed daily that you would want to take, the key is to KNOW where they are located. Having them in one place makes it easier.

 

Place them in a bag that you can grab.

For some, it may be a backpack or a duffle. You’ll want something that is easy to carry and will hold what you need.

 

first aid kitTo help you, here are some suggestions that are broken down into categories…

Survival

Every person needs these 4 things to survive...Air, Shelter, Water, and Food. Have water and non-perishable food.  For a small bag, this can include protein bars, canned tuna, and peanut butter.

 

Clothing

Consider a windbreaker, socks and extra change of clothing.

 

Needed Extras

A flashlight, matches, multi-purpose tools, cell phone chargers, knife, can opener. Don’t forget your cash (and not all big bills.) because ATMs flashlightmay not be working.   

 

Important Papers

This includes phone numbers (who remembers any numbers these days?), account information, medical information. Think about what you would need to function.  A thumb-drive with important information. Don’t forget a real map...you don’t want to rely on cell service!

 

First Aid

Have a small first aid kit. Don’t forget your prescription medicine. Don’t forget your contact lenses or glasses as well!

 

Remember, every person’s needs are different as is every situation. The important thing is to make a decision to be ready, then get ready.










Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments (34)

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Kathy,

I like the term "bug bag".  This is wonderful advice, and we are wishing the whole of our country no disasters of any kind whatsoever...A

Jun 11, 2019 08:58 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I couldn't agree with you more, Kathy.  Interestingly enough, just this morning, I was thinking of organizing all my old photographs (print version), and putting them in a singular central place so they could be rolled out of my house in an emergency.  Right now, they are a little scattered throughout my home.  I already have my "bug bag" though!

Jun 11, 2019 10:59 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Jun 11, 2019 11:00 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Kathy - thanks for the reminder.  Those of you in the Southeast are always prepared.  We in New York were not that prepared when Sandy came through in 2012.

 

Jun 11, 2019 11:00 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy I have my bag and generator ready to go if the power goes out.

Jun 11, 2019 02:11 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Not something I have ever needed and I hope it stays that way! Great information Kathy!

Jun 11, 2019 03:15 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I have never seen a tornado in Oklahoma but I have dsodged three hurricanes in Florida and Houston.

Jun 11, 2019 03:29 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Sham Reddy CRS I hope you never have to use one. 

Sally K. & David L. Hanson tell Dini not to forget his grey blanket. 

Kat Palmiotti hey, I've had on my agenda to digitize the photos I have pre-digital days. 

Jun 11, 2019 05:37 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Kathy:

While they may be less common at ome times of the year we essentially can have fires anytime, and there are some buring now. They were talking about residents making preparations just in case last night on the news...this is a great list to share.

Jeff

 

Jun 11, 2019 05:40 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Barbara Todaro I remember reading about a man being rescued from his roof during Katrina. He actually left behind any ID he had as well as a manuscript he was working on. Many banks have backup generators now but if power does go out and their generator doesn't work, then you're not getting any cash. 

Jun 11, 2019 05:47 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Michael Jacobs You never know what will happen and hopefully nothing will. 

Donald Urschalitz we left once and that was during Hurricane Andrew. 

Thank you Lise Howe I've read of areas that had gas leaks and the residents had to be out of their home for an extended period. 

Jun 11, 2019 06:14 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Wayne Martin let's hope we never have a need for one!!! 

Brian England I hope you never have to use one either. 

Sheila Anderson we hope that we never have to use one, but I'd like to know that I could function somehow if I had to. 

Jun 11, 2019 06:18 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty thank you. I have a lot of non-financial information in the clouds but I like to have a paper back-up. 

Sharon Lee thanks!!! Larry jokes that I'm such a Girl Scout. 

Roy Kelley thank you, and thank you for the reblog. 

Jun 11, 2019 06:22 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® when we had to evacuate for Hurricane Andrew,  as we sat on I-95 in stop and go traffic, the notion that we might have to pull off the road for the night did occur to us. With each hurricane, I learn something. 

Ron and Alexandra Seigel thank you!!! I hope no one needs one of these bags. But I remember during Hurricane Harvey when water was coming onto my brother's lawn I was on the phone with my family making sure they had what they needed in a bag. 

Jun 11, 2019 06:27 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Myrl Jeffcoat I hear what you're saying. In preparing for Hurricane Irma I took my non-digitized photos and put them in a huge garbage bag and placed that bag in a large plastic box with a tight cover. I took that box and placed it in the tub on the second floor. I keep after myself to digitize those photos. Thank you for the highlight in your Group!!!

Jun 11, 2019 06:30 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Grant Schneider exactly!!! Think of the fires out west, or even having to leave after an earthquake. 

George Souto way to go!!!

Sharon Tara I hope you never do. 

 

Jun 11, 2019 06:34 PM
Sharon Tara

Much higher probability now that we travel with trailer.

Jun 12, 2019 07:31 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Joe Pryor I have been through countless hurricanes and a tornado in the Bahamas!!  

Jeff Dowler, CRS I hope the fires don't spread. After Hurricane Irma, the major grocery chain had generators BUT the once we went do had lost everything because the generator didn't work!  You don't know what you may need. 

Jun 11, 2019 06:36 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Kathy.

Sounds like you've been there done that.  Of course we all know you have, by reading some of your previous posts when you were in Florida

Jun 12, 2019 01:39 AM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Good morning Kathy Streib , This is a great post that I'm going to reblog.  There is so much to think about to put this "bug bag" together.   Your post is an excellent guide.  Thank you!

Jun 13, 2019 03:24 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

All you have to do is listen to the day's news to know that this is all too true, Kathy Streib ... like Elyse Berman, PA I'm going to share this as many places as possible ... thank you!

Gene 

Jun 17, 2019 10:37 AM