How to Prepare an Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag

for Typhoon and Other Calamities

Filipinos are used to typhoons since the Philippines is situated in the Pacific typhoon belt, a region in the western Pacific Ocean often affected by tropical cyclones. According to the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration), the Philippines is affected by more tropical cyclones than any other place in the world. An average of 20 tropical cyclones a year enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and eight or nine of them cross the country. Filipinos brace themselves for typhoons from July through October when roughly 70% of typhoons take place.

The string of recent typhoons including the onslaught of typhoon “Kristine” is a strong indicator that typhoons are getting stronger and more destructive, one of the consequences of climate change. Just imagine a typhoon dumping two months’ worth of rain in just one night, bringing massive flooding and landslides.

When emergencies strike, it’s important to have an emergency preparedness kit ready, especially when you’re forced to leave your home to evacuate to a safer place. Whether it’s floods, earthquakes, fires, or other unexpected events, being ready can make a huge difference.

If you don’t have an Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag yet, there’s no better time than the present to create one. As the name suggests, the emergency kit should be quick to grab and bring when you need to evacuate. It is advisable to use a backpack or duffel bag that is easy to carry. The rule of thumb is to have essentials that are good for at least 72 hours.

Essentials

Here is a list of essential things that you can add when putting together an Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag:

Water – Allot one gallon per person, per day
Food – Pack ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare items (preferably easy-to-open cans)
First Aid Kit and essential medications
Rubbing alcohol, antibacterial hand wipes, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Emergency blanket
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Multi-purpose tools (e.g. Swiss Army knife, duct tape, etc.)
Sanitation supplies and personal hygiene items
Family and emergency contact information
Copies of important documents placed in a waterproof container or Ziplock bag – IDs, birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, land titles, medical information, medication list
Mobile phone with chargers
Extra cash placed in a waterproof container or Ziplock bag
Map of the area

Special items

After completing the essential supplies, it is also vital to add special or unique items that some of your family members may need, such as:

Essential medications (maintenance meds) and medical supplies
Infant supplies (formula, baby bottles, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (pet identification, food, food bowl, extra leash)
Duplicate car keys and house keys

Other Things

Here are other things you might consider adding to your emergency preparedness bag:

Extra clothes
Towel
Rain gear
Blanket
Whistle
N95 face masks
Comfort items (e.g. toys or books)

Reminders

Take time to talk to your family and other members of your household about emergencies and why it’s important to prepare for them. Involve everyone in the planning process so that they know what to do and where to go when an emergency strikes.
Make sure that young kids cannot reach or get into your Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag. Use child-resistant caps if possible.
Check expiration dates from time to time and discard food items and medicine that are out-of-date.
Inform the members of the household where the Grab-and-Go Bags are stored.

Why Create an Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag

Immediate Access to Essentials and Other Items

During an emergency, you have to act quickly and may not have time to gather essential items. An Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag ensures you have vital items such as food, water, and sanitation supplies. Your emergency preparedness bag also includes communication tools (battery-powered or hand-crank radio and mobile phone) to stay up-to-date about emergency announcements. The essential items will help you survive for several days until it is safe to return home after a calamity.

Ensure Your Family’s Well-being

A well-prepared Emergency Grab-and-Go Bag contains basic and other helpful items, such as first aid supplies, flashlights, and other tools that will help safeguard your family in challenging conditions. It also equips you to treat minor injuries. In addition, bringing multi-purpose tools can help you make quick fixes when necessary. Packing comfort items like toys or books can help kids cope with stress.

Peace of Mind

Knowing you are ready and prepared during an emergency helps lessen anxiety and stress. When you have peace of mind, you can focus your time and energy on staying safe and taking care of your family and other members of the household rather than scrambling to put together necessary supplies.

Empowering Yourself During an Emergency

Putting together an emergency Grab-and-Go Bag is a proactive step in safeguarding yourself, your loved ones, and other members of your household, including your pets during a typhoon, earthquake, fire, and other emergencies. Keep in mind that emergencies, especially natural disasters cannot always be prevented so the best thing is to be ready for the unexpected. With a Grab-and-Go Bag, you can face emergencies with greater ease, confidence, and resilience.

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