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Pack grab bags and emergency supplies

A grab bag holds what each person needs to leave in minutes. Home supplies cover sheltering in place when roads close.

How

1. Use the US Ready list as a starting point: water, non-perishable food, battery or hand-crank radio, torch and spare batteries, first aid kit, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and tape, sanitation items, a wrench to shut off utilities, a manual can opener, local maps and a phone with charger and backup battery.
2. Plan water at one gallon (about 3.8 L) per person per day for drinking and sanitation, as Ready.gov suggests, for the number of days in your self-reliance target.
3. Add personal items: medicines, glasses, copies of documents, cash, warm clothing and sturdy shoes.
4. Add face masks to each grab bag (medical-35 covers mask stocks).
5. Keep one bag per person near the exit and one in each vehicle.
6. Review contents yearly and replace expired food, water and batteries.

Sources

1. Build a Kit. Ready.gov (FEMA), accessed 2026-11

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