How to Create a Grab and Go Bag

Imagine having just minutes to leave your home in an emergency—would you be ready to grab what you need and go?

This past week, I’ve been working on assembling Grab and Go Backpacks for everyone in my family, and while I’m almost finished, there are still a few more items I need to add. It’s a project that’s well worth the effort to ensure we are ready in case of an emergency.

What is a Grab and Go Bag, and Why Do You Need One?

A Grab and Go Bag (or backpack) is something you can quickly grab if you need to leave your home in an emergency, such as a house fire or natural disaster. Ideally, each member of your family should have their own bag, filled with enough supplies to last at least 72 hours.

How to Choose the Right Backpack

For my kids, I went to our local Walmart and picked up backpacks from the camping section, which are designed for comfort and storage—important features if we ever had to leave on foot. My husband and I already have durable backpacks that we’ll use.

When choosing backpacks for your children, be sure the size is appropriate for them. A backpack that’s too large can cause discomfort and even pain if they need to walk a long distance. After realizing the first backpack I bought for my youngest daughter was too big, I took her to the store to try on a smaller one to make sure it fit properly. Of course, there’s always the option that mom or dad can carry a bag, but depending on the circumstances and the age of your children it may be easier to plan on your child carrying their own bag.

Since we enjoy family backpacking trips, I liked the idea of these backpacks serving dual purposes. When we’re not out hiking, they’ll be stocked and ready with emergency supplies, making them easy to grab in a crisis.

Packing the Bags: Weight Matters

One thing to keep in mind is how much weight each bag will hold. When we went backpacking, I carried around 35-40 pounds for 24 miles, and it wasn’t easy! In the event of an emergency where we’d need to walk or hike, the weight of the pack becomes a critical factor. My nine-year-old carried 15 pounds, while my older daughters carried around 20-25 pounds each.

Make sure to adjust the amount your children carry based on their age and strength, and be prepared to share some of their load if necessary.

What Could Lead to Needing a Grab and Go Bag?

While it’s hard to imagine a situation where you’d need to leave your home on foot, disasters like a terrorist attack, EMP attack, or even something as simple as a highway pile-up could force you to abandon your vehicle. For my kids that are driving, I prepared grab and go emergency bags for their cars as well.

You just never know. It could happen.

Having said that, leaving your car or home on foot in an emergency really should be your last resort. Not your first choice.

What Should Go in a Grab and Go Bag?

Your Grab and Go Bag should contain enough supplies to last each person at least three days. Below is a list of items I think could be good to stock your bag with:

• Cash: In the event of a power outage, ATMs may not work – and when Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, stores were not able to take cards because of power outages.
• Documentation and Identification – copies of important documents.
• Personal hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and feminine products.
• First Aid Kit
• Protective Gear: N-95 masks, a pocket knife, bandanas, paracord, and a whistle.
• Tools: Flashlight with extra batteries, carabiners, matches in a waterproof container, a Hobo tool, a lighter, a compass, and a multi-tool.
• Clothing: Include a complete change of clothes, extra socks, and weather-appropriate gear like hats and gloves for colder seasons.
• Food and Water: Pack lightweight, non-perishable food for three days (like granola bars, peanut butter, or freeze-dried meals), along with water bottles or a container for refilling, and a water filter like the Life Straw.

I organized these supplies in zip-top baggies to make things easy to find. Plus, the baggies can double as water carriers if needed.

Other Useful Items

Here are a few other items to consider adding:

• Card games to help pass the time and relieve stress.
• Emergency blankets, ponchos, heavy-duty trash bags, and clothes pins.
• Medications, lip balm, a sewing kit, Wet-Nap hand wipes, and a lightweight tarp or tent for shelter.

Preparing for the Unexpected

None of us want to think about being forced to leave our home in a disaster, but the reality is that emergencies happen when we least expect them. By having a plan and putting together Grab and Go Bags, you’re giving your family the best chance to stay safe and comfortable in the face of the unknown.

Have you created your family’s Grab and Go Bags yet? What items would you include that aren’t on this list?