Events are often challenging to predict, no matter how safe you feel, so keeping emergency items for a quick getaway is always a good idea.
For example, people in Florida know they may have to leave on short notice when a hurricane comes through. In California, wildfires made people evacuate their homes, and there is always a looming threat of large earthquakes.
Security professionals constantly underscore the importance of having a go bag at home to cover you and your family for 72 hours in an emergency. A good go-bag gives you peace of mind knowing that, if necessary, you could survive in the short term until you make it somewhere safe.
A standard go-bag has a mixture of food, clothing, and emergency medical supplies to cover most situations. In addition, storing items for a quick getaway takes planning to keep them in good condition.
Too often, people build a go-bag but fail to store it properly. Eventually, the food items go bad, or they can’t remember what’s inside.
Here are some tips on how to store items for a quick getaway to keep you and your loved ones safe.
What’s a Go-Bag?
No matter where you live or your circumstances, you should always have an emergency plan in case things go wrong.
Here are some things you should keep in your go-bag or 72-hour kit:
Dry foods
You’ll probably need something to eat, but you don’t want to store anything that spoils easily. Granola bars are a fantastic, calorie-dense option in a small package. You can also store high-protein foods like nuts and beef jerky. Candy is also good for when you need an energy boost.
A Space Blanke
You don’t want to carry heavy blankets around, and you’ll probably be wearing a jacket if you have to run out of the house into the cold. A space blanket is a terrific way to use your body heat to keep you warm if you have to stay outdoors for hours or sleep somewhere cold.
Flashlight
Pack a flashlight in case the power goes out, or you need to be outdoors when it’s late at night.
A Light
Lighters are a lot more reliable than matches, which sometimes go stale and are very vulnerable to wet conditions. A lighter is perfect for starting fires or lighting candles if you’re without power.
A Change of Clothes
Depending on the size of your go-bag, you can pack a change of clothes. If you’re short on space, only pack an extra pair of socks and underwear.
Knife
You never know why you may need a knife, but a good sharp knife is an emergency essential. You can use it for cooking food, cutting rope, building shelter, or defending yourself in drastic situations.
First-Aid Kit
Pack a first-aid kit in your go-bag full of bandaids, gauze, and bandage wraps.
Backup Battery
You should consider packing a solar-powered battery charger in your getaway bag if the power goes out or if you’re going to be outdoors for more than a day. Your cell phone will likely be the way you get in touch with emergency responders or make arrangements for where you can stay the night.
These are just some of the essential items that should go in any go-bag. Of course, individuals or families can adjust what goes inside based on where they live and what type of emergency risks they face.
The size of a go-bag also depends on whether you plan on leaving on foot or in a car. In some instances, people plan for both scenarios. As a result, they keep a backpack with basic supplies but also have a larger duffel bag with essentials for long-term displacements.
If you have a truck, then you can expand your supplies because you have more storage options while you’re on the go.
Tips for Storing Your Emergency Supplies for a Quick Getaway
How you store your getaway supplies will significantly impact your health and comfort in an emergency. You’ll want your items like food and clothing dry and fresh for as long as possible. Here are some tips for keeping emergency supplies in good condition for longer.
Conduct an Annual Review
People with good intentions pack and store their emergency bags, but, unfortunately, they set them and forget about them.
The items in your bag should be rotated out every year or so to keep food fresh and prevent things from molding. In addition, items like batteries and small electronics can wear out if you leave them inside a bag for too long.
Every year, go through your emergency supplies list and manually inspect each item to ensure it’s still in good condition.
Preventing Mold
In addition to a regular review, you should do what you can to store your getaway bag somewhere cool and dry. Controlling moisture avoids any mold or deterioration, and keeping everything dry will make the bags last longer.
The Bag
The bag choice also significantly impacts how long your getaway supplies last. Ideally, choose a bag made of nylon or some other synthetic material.
There are also some fantastic options for waterproof bags, so you can store your supplies without worrying if it’s raining outside or if you need to get things wet in an emergency.
Ready Access
Above all, you should store your items for a quick getaway where you can reach them quickly.
Keeping a go-bag in the corner of the basement or out in a storage shed won’t do you any good if you can’t get to it in seconds. For example, if your house is on fire, you may not get to the bags before evacuating.
Keep the items near a doorway to make it easy to pick them up on your way outside.
Use Sealed Bags
Whether you’re keeping clothes or batteries in your go-bag, do your best to store each item or category of items in a sealed plastic bag. This prevents any spillage or moisture from affecting everything in your bag and makes it easier to stay organized.
Do your best to label each bag, so you or anyone else with the supplies knows where things go.
Using a Self-Storage Unit for Emergency Prep
A go-bag should stay as close to you as possible to make it easier to grab in a flash. However, some people want to be extra prepared with food storage and other dry goods in case something bad happens.
Rather than cluttering your basement or garage with supplies, consider renting an offsite storage unit for emergency preparations.
Having something away from your house reduces the odds of everything getting damaged in a fire or flood. In addition, you can stay better organized by keeping everything in shelves or plastic tubs in a storage unit versus in a room where supplies get mixed up with toys, bikes, and other gear you have around the house.
Conclusion
Everyone has a different idea of what they’ll need for a quick getaway. But, no matter how hard you prepare, knowing what to expect in a natural disaster or any other emergency is always hard.
A small bag full of essential supplies stored in a good place will take you a long way. It’s much better than being on your own with nothing but what’s in your pockets.
Consider what risks you’re likely to face in your area and plan accordingly. Planning is often an essential part of any emergency preparation. It informs what supplies you need, how to protect them best, and keep yourself and your family safe.
If you’re looking for a storage facility to store your belongings, Snell Mini Storage has got you covered. At Snell Mini Storage, we offer a wide range of unit selections. To learn more about our self-storage facility, please check out our website at https://snellministorage.com/.