Start preparing your GoBag with items you already own. Here are 12 steps you can take to prepare for free. 

(scroll down to see my kits)

2. Important documents – Get them all together in one place contained in a container that is portable and water proof. And if you have access to a scanner you could also scan them to a CD or a flash drive. See bottom for full list.

3. Create a Phone list including out of town & out of state contact person. Each member of you family, daycare providers, & in home health providers should have a copy.

4. Create a family Plan – Make sure everyone in the family knows
Where to meet – Who is on their emergency cards in school – Who the Out of town & out of state Contacts are and have the phone numbers in their cell phone, wallet, or go bag.- Where the kits are kept.

5. Get an old back pack, duffle bag, suit case, or even a large shopping bag and put in a change of cloths for every one (sweat suits are great)

6. Put a flash light or glow stick next to everyone’s bed

7. Each time you grocery shop, buy two cans of soup or top roman or cup of noodle (things that only require water). And 1 gallon of water Spend $2.00 each time until you have enough food and water for everyone for 3 days. You will be surprised at how fast it accumulates. Keep this food with your kit. Keep it in a bag in your kit location.

8. Use empty plastic containers to store water (do not use juice jugs and do not store container directly on concrete. Place wood under container if on stored on concrete)

9. Practice evacuation drills with your family. Remember a house fire is a disaster too.

10. Use 1 or 2 - Empty 2 liter bottles, fill them with water and store in your freezer. If your power goes out move them to your refrigerator, this should keep food cold longer. Then when they melt you have a water source

Free Training
11. Find & take free training courses for emergency preparedness, first aid, CPR . http://training.fema.gov/IS/

Free Information
12. Surf the net for more information about emergency / disaster preparedness and educate your self.

http://www.fema.gov/

http://www.ready.gov/

http://www.redcross.org/

http://incaseofemergencyblog.com/

Storage
Store your kit in an outside storage shed if possible. If your house burns down you will still have your kit and important documents. I like to use the largest size Zip lock bags available.

List of  Important documents
Best if stored on CD or flash drive and kept in your Go Bag

Birth Certificates
Drivers License
Prescriptions (list of prescription type, # & Dr’s Name & phone #)
Proof of Residency – Mortgage bill / Renters agreement
Renters / Home owners insurance Coverage
Medical insurance Coverage
Life insurance coverage

List of credit cards, an emergency credit card
Family photos that show everyone
Children’s fingerprint cards
Children’s school registration or school contact information  
Pet registration
A copy of each bill – utility – mortgage – credit cards – insurance.
(or a list of each and the acct # and contact information).
Phone number list including out of town & out of state contact person. 

Currently the United States is in the midst of one of the largest food recalls in American history. As Americans dig through their cabinets and refrigerators to remove potentially contaminated food associated with the recent peanut recall, FEMA would like to also remind citizens to open and check their Emergency Preparedness Kits to remove any potentially harmful items from these also. Because peanut products are often recommended as staples in Emergency Preparedness Kits due to their long shell life and because they are a good source of protein, we encourage all kit owners to look at their kits to ensure food products are not on the peanut recall list. Please keep in mind that the peanut product recall extends beyond peanut-flavored products. The following are some examples of foods also included in the recall that may contain peanuts: Granola * Snack bars * Crackers * Cereal * Trail Mix * Cookies * Noodles * Dog treats

A full list of recalled peanut products and what individuals should do with recalled items can be found on the Food and Drug Administration Web site, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm

In addition to checking for peanut-related items, please be sure to check for other items in your kit that may have expired, including medications, food and pet food, water, and other recalled items. The U.S. government provides information on unsafe, hazardous, or defective products ranging from consumer products, food, medicine, and cosmetics at www.recalls.gov . Ensuring family and neighbors are prepared is an essential step in helping communities during and after an emergency. Families should have an Emergency Preparedness Kit in all locations that are frequented often, including homes, offices, schools, cars and day care facilities. These kits should hold a variety of essential items that are needed during a disaster, such as a flashlight, radio, cash, clothing, protective equipment, medicines, and of course food and water. For a complete list of Emergency Preparedness Kit recommended items, please visit http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/supplykit.shtm  

Need Supplies? www.iPrepare.com is where I found great deals

Click on each Go Bag style to read more about whats inside:

What’s in my Disaster Back Pack Style Go Bag? This Backpack Go Bag should contain items for 1 person facing immediate evacuation & personal survival for 72 hours.

What’s in my Disaster Back Pack Style C.E.R.T. Rescue Go Bag? This C.E.R.T. Go Bag should contain items for 1 or 2 persons facing incident management, Personal Safety, and Search & Rescue.

What’s in my 2 person 3 Day Rolling Garbage Can Style Home & Family Disaster Kit? This kit should contain items for survival, safety & shelter for two persons for 72 hours and facing evacuation.

What’s in my Shed Style Disaster Community Kit? This kit should contain items for Safety, Shelter, Triage, Damage Assessment and Recovery for a large group of people.

What runs my Emergency / Disaster Tri-Fuel Generator? Learn how I created a tri-fuel generator. Gasoline is not a fuel that professionals ever choose to use on backup generators. Hospitals and other large facilities "never" install a gasoline back-up generator. They always use natural gas or diesel. Gasoline has a very limited shelf life and will actually cause engine failure. Worst of all when power outages occur due to ice storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and all other disasters, the first commodity to be hoarded is gasoline.