5 Go Bag Essentials for Your Family

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When a natural disaster strikes, families need a go bag with essentials so they can leave quickly if they have to.

According to the Emergency Event Database, 185 million people were affected by natural disasters in 2022.

There's a very good chance many of us will experience at least one natural disaster in our lifetime. A packed grab-and-go bag can make that moment less chaotic.

Sometimes disasters mean staying put at home. Other times, like during a flood or wildfire, you may need to leave quickly for a safer location.

Family Go Bag for Emergencies

A family emergency go bag is a backpack you can grab if a disaster requires you to leave home.

We recommend a go bag backpack that is easy to carry and ready in one place.

You can include many items. Below are five we consider the most useful starting points. For a broader official checklist, see Ready.gov's emergency kit guidance.

Go Bag Essentials List

Here are five items we recommend packing in an emergency go bag.

1. Food. Pack enough non-perishable food for your family. Think snack foods that need little or no prep, like meat sticks, protein bars, or other energy bars (paid link). You don't need meals that require cooking if your first goal is to get on the road. Choose food that won't spoil and can help you reach a safer location.
2. First Aid Kit. Keep a first aid kit in your car, and include one in your go bag as well. A basic kit usually includes bandages, antibiotic ointment, disinfecting wipes, gauze, and tape. This particular kit (paid link) is a popular option for that purpose.
3. Phone chargers or other portable chargers (paid link). A dead phone makes it harder to get directions, alerts, or hold of family. Pack a charger and a backup power bank.
4. Medications. Include any prescription medications your family already uses, plus copies of prescriptions if you have them. A small supply of over-the-counter items you already keep at home, such as pain relief, may also be useful. Ask a doctor or pharmacist what belongs in your kit. You can also review ideas from Jase Medical.
5. Water. Drinking water is one of the most important things to plan for. Pack bottled water or filled reusable bottles for the drive. If you use a Berkey system, you can take it apart for transport and bring it with you, then use it when you are settled and have a water source. Follow local boil-water, shelter, and evacuation guidance. A portable filter can help you treat water when bottled water is limited; it does not replace official safety instructions. Learn more about Berkey water systems.

The Best Go Bag During an Emergency

In our view, the five go bag essentials listed above are a strong core for a family emergency bag.

There are other items worth adding if you have the space.

Here are several honorable mentions we also consider useful.

Think of this as a secondary go bag checklist.

1. Cash. Extra cash can help if cards or ATMs are down.
2. Important documents. If flooding or fire is a concern, keep copies of key papers in a waterproof pouch: birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance cards, a marriage license, and similar records. Replacing them after a disaster is time-consuming.
3. Toiletries. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, feminine products, deodorant, and other basics your family would need away from home.
4. Change of clothes. At least one change of clothes per person is better than none, especially if you don't know how long you'll be away.
5. Blankets. Helpful in cold weather, and still useful in warmer weather for warmth, privacy, or a makeshift pad. A few compact blankets are a good add.

Planning Your Go Bag Before Disaster Strikes

Don't wait until a disaster is already on the way to pack your go bag. Prepare in advance so the bag is ready when you need it.

The Preparedness Guy has a planning tool that can help you build a template around your household's needs.

Here's another resource with kit and food ideas.

Some items can be packed now, like extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, and shelf-stable food. Other items, such as prescription medication and a water filter you use daily, may need to be added at the last minute.

If a natural disaster requires your family to leave home, a packed emergency go bag can help you move faster and with fewer forgotten essentials.

Why a Go Bag Checklist Is Useful for Emergency Preparedness

Finalizing your go bag checklist ahead of time makes it less likely you'll forget important items in a stressful moment.

Food, water, and first aid should stay near the top of the list. Then personalize the checklist for your family's needs.

Review and update the bag a few times a year so food, water, batteries, and medications stay current.

That habit gives you a clearer plan if you ever need to grab the bag and go.