Setting Up a Grab and Go Bag

Grab and Go Bag for Emergencies

It seems like recently there has been a plethora of catastrophic events that have required families to quickly leave their homes. I know that my sister who lives in Spokane, Washington stated that many families had less than 20 minutes to vacate their homes due to the quickly spreading fires.

It’s important to have a plan for what to grab if that situation happens to you.

 And sometimes you are not even at home when an event comes up and someone else may need to go into your home to grab some items for you. This happened to my sister in Florida several years ago when she was out of state and her son called with the information that they were on a reediness to evacuate level because of fires in Florida.

Many years ago, I set up my own Grab and Go Bag based on Judith Kolberg’s book Organize for Disaster. 

What might go into this bag?

• Radio

• Flashlight

• batteries

• First aid kit

• Food

• Camp cooking set/can opener

• Matches/lighter

• Water

• Water purification tablets

• One change of clothing

• Extra footwear

• Blanket

• Tissue/TP

• Can opener

• Bleach

• Plastic bags

• Plastic drop sheet

• Dopp kit

• Pen knife

• Essential document folder

• Small pad and pencil

• Extra eyeglasses

• Extra set of keys

• Cell phone

• Cash

• Credit cards

I have modified this list according to what I think I might need. And since I expect my mind may be overloaded when such an event happens, I also suggest pinning a note on the bag with a short list of what else to grab.

In my case that would be:

·         Purse

·         Medicines

·         NOXBOX

·         Laptop computer

·         Chargers

·         Maybe a sleeping bag

One of the items on the list is an essential documents folder.

What goes into the essential documents folder?

·         A vital contacts and vital codes list - mine is in a spreadsheet and I list:

Banks, investments, insurance, inventory, funeral home, all utilities, pharmacy, credit cards, debit cards, health plan

If I did not have a NOKBOX I would also have Deeds, titles, escrow, mortgage notes, other loan information for real estate, Deeds, titles, escrow, mortgage notes, other loan information for real estate, information on will, living will, power of attorney, marriage certificate and or divorce decree,

·         Passport

·         Social security card

·         Cash

The Grab and Go bag needs to be light enough for you to carry easily so modify accordingly. It also needs to be stored where it is easy to get to and grab.

As with many projects, once you have this put together (and it does take a while), it needs to be reviewed and refreshed yearly. September is National Preparedness Month and a good time to put on your calendar a time to annually review your Grab and Go bag.

If you are struggling with completing an organizational project and want some help or accountability, join Diane Quintana and me in our Clear Space for You virtual support group. Each month everyone in the group chooses what project they want to complete.

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, author of four books as well as a retired special education teacher, she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.