Build a Disaster Go Bag and Stay Kit

Build your own household go bag and stay kit by gathering key emergency supplies. For a go bag, focus on the essentials that you will need for the next 24 hours. For a stay kit, gather supplies for 3 days, or 72 hours. In any disaster, you should be ready to go or stay

Disasters such as wildfires, tsunamis, and earthquakes might require specific actions, but packing a go bag and a stay kit is a critical step to being prepared for all situations.

Pack essentials in your Go Bag 

Pack a go bag for emergency situations where you may have to evacuate quickly. Be ready for any type of evacuation, from earthquakes to wildfires, or the threat of gas leaks in your neighborhood.

Your go-bag should have: 

• Phone charger 
• Flashlight/headlamp  
• Local map with walking paths 
• Water, snacks 
• Important documents  
• First aid kit 

Be ready to add your wallet, cell phone, keys, medications, and back up glasses before you head out of your house. Bring only essentials to help you and your household through the next 24 hours.

Fill your Stay Kit with your daily needs and equipment 

Create your stay kit based on the needs of your household. Organize your items into two groups—daily needs and equipment—so you can quickly find what you need during an emergency. Your stay kit should include items that support your well-being and help to keep you informed, powered, and ready to act.

Daily needs: 

• Water: Store one gallon per person, per day. Start by storing enough for 3 days and build up from there. You can opt to buy bottled water and refresh every couple of years, or refill food-grade canisters by following Public Health Guidance.
• Prescriptions and medical equipment: Keep a 3-day dose of any medicine you take regularly.
• Personal hygiene and sanitation items.
• First aid kit.
• Personal documents: Make photocopies, and upload copies of your driver’s license, passport, leases, titles, and contact list to the cloud or keep on two back-up drives.
• Non-perishable food: aim for at least 3 days of food per person.
• Pet items: food, medications, extra water.

Equipment: 

• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• Basic toolkit: including utility wrenches to turn off gas.
• Cell phone and charger: A battery-operated phone charger, or one that plugs into your car, will help you stay informed, take photos, and communicate in an emergency.
• Backup power options (such as portable battery packs, solar chargers, or generators) to keep essential devices like phones, radios, and medical equipment running during outages.
• Radio (battery-operated or hand crank): Emergency officials can use the radio to deliver important emergency information. In Berkeley, your radio stations are KCBS - 740 AM, KQED - 88.5 FM, and KSOL - 98.9 FM (Spanish). Get more information on ways the City sends messages through Emergency Notifications.
• Fire Extinguisher: (ABC-rated) to quickly control small fires and reduce the risk of them spreading during an emergency. Maintain your extinguisher by getting it serviced annually, or at least every couple of years.

As your capacity and budget allow, you can add to your stay kit. Work together with your neighbors to store collective supplies to build on your personal emergency supply kits.