A well-packed emergency go bag isn't just a collection of gear—it's peace of mind in a backpack
Let’s play a game. It’s 3 a.m. You’re half-asleep, wearing one sock and a ratty T-shirt, when your phone starts blaring an evacuation alert. Do you:
A) Panic.
B) Google “what goes in an emergency go bag?”
C) Sprint around your house as you throw Goldfish crackers and your favorite child into a pillowcase.
Whatever you picked, no judgment—I’ve been there. My family was evacuated during the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, and while I shouted at everyone to get in the car, my husband decided to go to Dave & Buster’s. (No joke.) We all handle a crisis differently, I guess. But that night, we drove around with four kids, two pets and a minivan full of random objects. The first two houses we tried to stay at had COVID (it was peak 2021), so we ended up having to stay in our car. And while I was relieved I’d grabbed baby scrapbooks and passports, I really wished I’d packed extra underwear, toothpaste and contact solution.
All of which is to say: If your emergency strategy is no strategy, I get it. But you need a better survival plan.
The right answer in that emergency scenario? D) Calmly grab your prepacked emergency go bag and head out the door.
What is an emergency go bag, exactly?
“An emergency go bag is your lifeline when disaster strikes without warning,” says Daniel Kilburn, founder of Emergency Action Planning and a retired U.S. Army senior infantry drill sergeant. “Whether it’s wildfire, earthquake, hurricane or civil unrest, the minutes you lose gathering essentials could cost you your life—or your child’s future.”
Packing an emergency kit might feel a little extreme, but having a grab-and-go plan is one of the simplest, smartest things you can do for your family, says Sean Gold, a professional emergency manager and the creator of the preparedness site TruePrepper. Even if you never use it—and we hope you don’t—you’ll sleep better knowing you could.
We talked to Kilburn, Gold, and Amber Batteiger, a disaster-relief expert who specializes in pet-focused response initiatives, to break down exactly what to pack, how to store it and what not to forget. (Spoiler: Your pet does need more than food and a leash.)
Read on to find out exactly what you need to pack in your emergency go bag so you’re ready for anything that may come your way.
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Why is an emergency go bag so important?
Disasters are not rare: More than 3.3 million U.S. adults were displaced by natural disasters in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. And that’s not even counting kids and pets or disasters that aren’t natural. There’s a solid chance you will find yourself in an emergency situation. Now imagine trying to pick socks, snacks and social security cards while adrenaline is flooding your system like a busted fire hydrant. As I found out the hard way, it’s a recipe for disaster (or at least a really long night).
“Emergencies don’t allow time for sorting, only for moving,” Kilburn says. “A well-packed go bag isn’t just a collection of gear. It’s peace of mind in a backpack.”
What kind of bag should you use?
Look for a durable, lightweight, water-resistant backpack with padded straps and multiple compartments. Leave your roller suitcase in the closet, since it will pose problems if roads are blocked or you’re climbing through rubble, Kilburn cautions. It needs to be something you can comfortably carry for 20 to 30 minutes, at least.
“Any bag will work as a starting point for a go bag as long as it’s big enough to fit your emergency supplies and relatively comfortable to wear,” Gold says. “Preppers tend to prefer backpacking backpacks for their capacity or tactical backpacks for their organization, versatility and durability.” He adds that if you’re looking for a simpler approach, you can also find premade go bags in a wide range of prices, starting at around $35.
Once you have all your gear assembled, do a weight check. “Many assume they will toss their go bag in their trunk. But what if roads are closed or your car’s out of gas? You may have to hoof it,” Kilburn says. “Test your bag. If you cannot carry it comfortably for at least 20 minutes, it’s too heavy.” He says that 30 pounds is the recommended top end for weight. “Mobility saves lives,” he adds.
What to pack in your emergency go bag
You want to pack like your life depends on it—because it might. Think: survival kit, not sleepover bag. Here’s what our experts recommend including:
Food and water
- 72 hours’ worth of food (protein bars, jerky, MREs or emergency food pouches)
- Reusable water bottle (preferably stainless steel)
- Water pouches and purification tablets or filter
- Comfort snacks for kids (fruit snacks are emotionally stabilizing, OK?)
| ♦ Pro tip |
| “Dehydration strikes quickly,” Kilburn says. “Pack water and a way to purify it for long-term survival.” |
Personal-hygiene items
“Poor sanitation and hygiene can become an issue quickly if you don’t have a plan,” Gold says.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap
- Baby wipes
- Trash bags
- Menstrual supplies
- Hand sanitizer
- Trowel and toilet paper (for … situations)
Clothing
“Clothing is survival gear, not fashion,” Kilburn says. “What you wear during a disaster can mean the difference between getting out safely or not getting out at all.” So yes, leave the Crocs.
- Moisture-wicking base layers
- Fleece or insulated jacket or packable puffer coat
- Spare underwear and socks (wet feet = blisters)
- An extra pair of sturdy walking shoes or boots (don’t trust that you’ll have the right shoes on your feet when you run out of the house)
- Wide-brimmed hat and UV sunglasses
- Heavy-duty work gloves
First-aid kit
“All kinds of accidents happen in emergencies,” Kilburn says. “Professional help may be delayed, so pack to handle both boo-boos and bigger injuries.”
- Basic bandages
- Trauma supplies, like a tourniquet, shears, compressed gauze and a CPR mask
- 14-day supply of prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications, including allergy meds (like Benadryl)
- Personal medical items (e.g., EpiPen, inhaler)
Safety gear
“Light is safety,” Kilburn says. “But avoid using lights while walking in the dark—it actually hampers your night vision.”
- LED flashlight and extra batteries
- Emergency weather radio (ideally, one that uses a crank or solar energy and has phone-charging ability)
- Multi-tool or knife
- Whistle (so rescue teams can find you)
- Fire-starting kit
- Emergency blanket
Important documents
“A document bag is one of the most overlooked but critical items,” Gold says. Store everything in a waterproof or Ziploc bag.
- Copies of IDs, insurance and prescriptions
- List of emergency contacts
- Family photo (in case you’re separated)
Electronics
- Phone charger (solar, if possible)
- Power bank
- Flashlight
- Airtags for pets and kids (seriously!)
Cash
- $200 in small bills (denominations of $20 or less)
What additional items should you include for specific natural disasters?
“Prepare for your specific threat landscape,” Kilburn says. “Your ZIP code shapes your risk and your readiness.” The bottom line? Not all natural disasters are created equal—neither are go bags. Here’s what else to pack based on where you live:
Wildfires
“Air quality is a huge concern with wildfires, “Kilburn says, “and it’s one factor that people often don’t think to prepare for.”
- N95 masks
- Burn ointment and bandages
- Safety goggles
- Printed evacuation route
- Cloths you can dampen to wipe ash off skin and fur
Floods/Hurricanes
- Dry bags
- Rain gear
- Life jackets (yes, you should have these even if you don’t have a boat)
- Mosquito repellent
An additional consideration? “Keep pets away from standing water,” Betteiger adds. “It may be contaminated.”
Earthquakes
“These tools help if you need to clear debris or escape collapsed structures,” Kilburn says.
- Crowbar
- Dust mask
- Steel-toed boots
- Work gloves
Winter storms
- Hand and foot warmers
- Pet sweaters and jackets
- Portable thermos
- Thermal blanket
“Also pack pet-safe ice melt to clear bathroom paths,” Betteiger adds.
Does each family member need their own bag?
Yes. Even the 4-year-old who thinks gummy bears are a food group. “Every person in your household should have their own go bag,” Kilburn says. “That includes children and pets.”
For babies and toddlers, include diapers, wipes, formula, a favorite toy, a blanket and size-appropriate clothing. And update that bag every six months—kids grow faster than you think.
And pets have their own go-bag requirements. “Pets face the same risks as humans—hypothermia, dehydration and disorientation,” Batteiger says. “Don’t wait until a disaster is at your doorstep to plan.”
- 5- to 10-day supply of food
- Collapsible bowls
- Medication and vet records
- Comfort item (blanket or toy)
- Leash or carrier (practice with them!)
- GPS collar or Airtag
- Waste bags or litter box
Where should you store an emergency go bag?
Inside your home, near an exit—not buried in the back of your closet behind your wedding dress and tax files.
“I store my family’s bags high on hooks in our laundry room,” Gold says. “It connects to our garage and is easy to access.”
Avoid garages if they get too hot, and definitely avoid cars for long-term storage. Kilburn explains: “Long-term trunk heating will degrade the items in the go bag over time.” Store it inside your house, ideally near an exit, where you can grab it in 30 seconds or less.
How often should you check and update it?
Short answer: More than never.
Long answer: Review your bag every three to six months. Here’s what to check.
- Expiration dates on food and meds
- Battery function
- Seasonal clothing
- Updated sizes for kids and pets
- New medical or personal needs
“September is National Preparedness Month,” Gold says. “That’s a great annual reminder.”
Grab-and-go
Don’t forget: “All the gear in the world won’t help if you don’t know how to use it,” Kilburn says. Take a weekend afternoon to explore your emergency kit. Try the flashlight. Set up the tarp. See if your 4-year-old can carry their mini backpack without turning into a drama llama.
Another option is to take a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) or preparedness class in your neighborhood. That’s what my husband did, and he’s now certified to help as an emergency responder. (No more Dave & Buster’s!)
Because when it comes to emergencies, confidence is key—and confidence comes from preparation. As Kilburn puts it: “Disasters do not wait for your bag to catch up.”
About the experts
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Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on what to pack in an emergency go bag, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist who often covers knowledge, common curiosities and communication for Reader’s Digest. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Daniel Kilburn, founder of Emergency Action Planning, retired U.S. Army drill sergeant and disaster-readiness consultant; phone interview, Sept. 13, 2025
- Sean Gold, emergency management expert and founder of TruePrepper; phone interview, Sept. 13, 2025
- Amber Batteiger, animal-welfare and disaster-relief expert at Embrace Pet Insurance; email interview, Sept. 12, 2025
- AP News: “Survey: 3.3 million U.S. adults displaced by natural disasters”
- Ready.gov/kit
