Emergency Prep: Bug Out Bags (BOBs)

We have started talking about Emergency Preparedness recently - I even have a new "page" for it (see it HERE). I am a firm believer that, if you are ready, you never need it! So, we are talking about getting ready.
:)

First we talked about a basic water supply, just in case you all of a sudden can't use your faucets. (think tornadoes, etc).

Today, we talk about BOBs.

If you watched that 10 Minute Notice video I shared, you might have to leave your home FAST. This is where a BOB comes in handy

:)

It's a GREAT time of year to whip one up - backpacks are on sale for back to school time!

You should have one for EACH family member...and I suggest NOT googling it because you will see samples from the extremists pop up - every thing from hunting knives to MREs (meals ready to eat).

It is a lot simpler than that.

Each bag should have a change of clothes, few pairs of undies (face it - we can wear an outfit more than one day if we have to but would love clean undies with it!), tooth brushes, personalized necessary medicine (insulin, asthma, allergy, etc).

Now - for other things to add!

For the kids - you need things to entertain them - small, that travel easy. Think card games, small puzzles, coloring book and crayons. Also some snacks. They can carry the lighter things like fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. Don't forget diapers or infant formula if you need them!

For the adults - we have a bigger list:

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
• Feminine supplies. (You can't always plan WHEN you have an emergency...)
• a pot you can use over an open flame
• Water purification items: either tablets or household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

What kind of food?
Cans of soup, power/granola bars, peanut butter, salt free crackers, nuts, canned beans/veggies, just-add-water noodle dinners, fruit snacks, beef sticks, juice boxes/bags. We aren't talking gourmet meals here, we are talking things that could sit in your bag for 1-2 years, be light to carry, and fill your family's belly until you either have help arrive or get to a safe location. Try to avoid things that will make you thirsty.

Don't forget your pets!
Pet food and extra water for your pet is important too.

You could add sleeping bags and a tent to this collection of bags, or plan to sleep in your car until you get where ever you are going. I have the BOBs on a shelf above our tents/bags so they are all together.

This is SIMPLE stuff to do that even FEMA suggests.

Think of the national emergencies that took them a LOOOOOONG time to respond too: Hurricane Katrina, the Gulf Coast Oil Spill, etc. Having enough basic supplies to help your family get from place A to place B safely and comfortably is the goal. This makes it fast and easy for you to "bug out" if you have a very short time to leave your home.

Blessings-
Dannelle