Mobile Preparedness & Go-Bags

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Vehicles are often relied upon during daily travel, evacuations, and emergency response, but they can quickly become unsafe if not properly prepared. Road closures, severe weather, wildfires, power outages, and accidents may leave motorists delayed or stranded for extended periods. Mobile Preparedness focuses on maintaining a well-equipped, road-ready vehicle and having essential safety supplies available to help reduce risk, support self-sufficiency, and improve safety until help arrives or conditions improve.

In addition to keeping vehicles prepared, it is also important to consider what you would take with you if remaining at home is not possible during an emergency. An Emergency Supply Kit (discussed in our "F amily Disaster Preparedness Guide") is intended to support staying safe at home during an emergency; however, not all emergencies allow you to remain in place. Wildfires, floods, earthquakes, hazardous materials incidents, or other rapidly developing situations may require you to leave your home with little or no notice. A Go-Bag builds on the Emergency Supply Kit by focusing on essential items that are portable and immediately accessible, helping you evacuate quickly and safely when conditions require it.

Prepare Your Car for Emergencies

Have a mechanic check the following on your vehicle before an emergency:

Antifreeze levels
Battery & ignition system
Brakes
Exhaust system
Fuel & air filters
Heater & defroster
Lights & flashing hazard lights
Oil
Thermostat
Windshield wiper equipment & washer fluid level

Car Safety Tips

Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation or power outages. A full tank will also keep the fuel line from freezing.
Install good winter tires and make sure they have enough tread, or any chains or studs required in your local area.
Do not drive through flooded areas. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or possibly stall. A foot of water will float many cars.
Disable your vehicle's cruise control when driving on slippery, icy or snowy roads. This is because if you lose traction or start to skid, the cruise control will accelerate to maintain your vehicle's speed, causing your wheels to spin even faster. On wet roads, if your cruise control is set at too high a speed, it could cause your car to hydroplane when it goes over standing water.
If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock. Stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
If it becomes hard to control the car, pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake.
If the emergency could affect the stability of the roadway, avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards

Go-Bag Preparedness Strategy

Be prepared as possible. We recommend maintaining three separate, specialized kits: a Go-Bag for immediate evacuation of live-saving essentials and critical documents, a Vehicle Kit to ensure mobility and survival if stranded on the road, and a Workplace Kit in case you have to walk for long distances away from your work or car during an emergency.

Go-Bag (72-hour Kit):

Water: 1 gallon per person per day (3-day supply minimum).
Food: Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items. Energy bars, canned food, and a manual can opener. (3-day supply minimum)
Prescription medications and medical items (7-day supply).
Flashlight and extra batteries.
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio. (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
First Aid Kit.
Multi-Purpose tool.
Sanitation/Personal Hygiene: Moist towelettes, soap, toilet paper, feminine hygiene supplies, hand sanitizer, plastic bags with ties (for waste).
Cell phone and portable charger/power bank.
Family and emergency contact information.
Cash in small denominations (ATMs may not work).
Emergency blanket or sleeping bag.
Local paper maps.
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.).

After you add those basic supplies to your Go-Bag, add unique items for each member of your family may need, such as:

Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.).
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers, etc.).
Games & activities for children.
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID/records, food, carrier, bowl, etc.).
Two-way radios.
Extra set of car keys and house keys.
Manual can opener.

Vehicle Kit:

Jumper cables or a portable jump starter.
Flares or reflective triangles.
A properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench, and jack.
Basic tool kit.
ABC-rated Fire Extinguisher.
Cat litter or sand (for tire traction in snow/ice/mud).
Collapsible shovel.
Ice scraper and snow brush.
Plastic sheeting.
Duct tape.
Scissors
N95 or surgical masks.
Blankets or sleeping bags (one per person).
Towels
Whistle (to signal for help).
Matches and lighter.
A brightly colored cloth or reflective vest (to signal for help).
Car charger/power bank for your cell phone.
Change of warm clothes (long sleeves, sturdy shoes, hat, gloves).

*TIP: Avoid Cotton. "Cotton Kills" - Cotton absorbs moisture, stays wet, dries very slowly, pulls heat away from your body, and increases your risk of hypothermia. Also, most synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex) are petroleum-based and melt when exposed to heat or flame. They can stick to your skin and cause deep, severe burns. Wool is an excellent choice for cold weather - It's insulating, moisture-wicking and durable. Woold is also naturally fire resistant and won't melt, making it a good all-around choice.

Workplace Kit:

Water (at least 1 gallon, minimum for one day).
Non-perishable food (3 meals/snacks, such as granola bars or protein bars).
Prescription medications (at least a 24-hour supply)
First Aid Kit with routine medications (aspirin, acetaminophen, cough/cold tablets, allergy tablets, etc.).
Comfortable, sturdy shoes (essential if you normally wear dress shoes).
Flashlight with extra batteries.
Chemical light sticks.
Matches and lighter.
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).
Cell phone charger.
Copies of emergency contact information.
Extra eyeglasses or hearing aid batteries.
Personal hygiene items (small toothbrush, hand sanitizer, etc.).

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