After an emergency, you may have to survive on your own for days. Securing food, water, and supplies to last until help arrives is imperative. Since you do not know where you will be when disaster strikes, it’s best to prepare go-bags or stay-at-home kits for your home, work, and car.
You’ll want two kits. Your stay-at-home kit should include two weeks of supplies for everything needed to shelter in place. The portable go-bag should hold three to five days of supplies that you can take with you during an evacuation. You may also want to consider a third kit that stays in your vehicle.
Make sure you have enough medicine
Since you won’t know how long an emergency may last, try to keep at least a month’s supply of your medication in your go-bag. These should be both prescription and any over-the-counter drugs you use for allergies, pain or stomach discomfort.
Your doctor or pharmacist can help you obtain a month’s supply of your prescriptions. Don’t forget to include a cooler or chemical ice pack for any medicines that must be refrigerated.
Keep a list of your medications, both prescription and OTC, in your bag. The list should include what you use the medicines for, their dosages, and when you take them. Also, include a list of any other medical supplies you put in your go-bag.
A Wheelchair Prep Go-Bag is Vital
When planning for an emergency, always remember what you will need to keep your wheelchair working and comfortable. United Spinal’s Ready to Roll program offers a thorough Wheelchair Prep document that lists tips in four categories: begin with good maintenance, take inventory of your wheelchair(s) and supplies, arrange your wheelchair(s) for safe evacuation, and pack important items for a wheelchair go-bag.
For your wheelchair prep go-bag:
- Wrenches, screwdrivers, and spare parts, including screws and washers
- Strong tape, Velcro straps, glue
- Chargers, such as a small travel charger
- Have a lightweight manual chair available if you use a power chair.
- Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you can’t purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations or local charitable groups can help you buy one. Keep extra batteries charged at all times.
- Keep a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or an extra inner tube if the wheelchair or scooter tires are not puncture-proof.
- If you use one, keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker.
- Keep a portable air pump for wheelchair tires.
- If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance and you must evacuate, consider keeping an extra cushion on hand.
Additionally, show those in your support network how to operate, assemble and disassemble your wheelchair.
Keep these items in your vehicle’s go-bag
If you have time to prepare for a possible evacuation, check your lights, batteries, gas, and tires. Also, make sure you have these items easily accessible to you in the vehicle:
- Jumper cables and reflective lights
- Tow rope or chains
- Extra windshield washer fluid
- Flashlights
- Cell phone and portable charger
- Battery-powered radio
- Extra blankets or warm clothing
- At least 72 hours of medical items in case your car becomes immobilized. These could include ostomy supplies, catheters and medications.
- Your cell phone may not work in a rural area, so consider carrying a CB/ham radio or satellite phone.
- Water and nonperishable high-energy foods like unsalted nuts, granola bars, raisins, other dried fruit, peanut butter, or hard candy.
United Spinal’s Ready to Roll Emergency Preparedness program provides a checklist to get you started. You also will need to add items specific to your needs. The New Hampshire Disability & Public Health Project offers a C-MIST Personal Planning Tool to help you decide what specialized items you should add to your Stay Kit and Go Bag. Other sources include the American Red Cross, California Department of Public Health and Ready.gov.
Make go-bags for your pets, too
When assembling your pet’s emergency supply kit, you should have a larger kit for sheltering in place and a lighter kit that is easy to grab if you have to evacuate. Some items you can include are:
- Food – several days’ supply in an airtight and waterproof container
- Water – several days’ supply and a water bowl
- Medicine – keep an extra supply in a waterproof container
- First Aid Kit – talk to your veterinarian on what should be included
- Collar, ID Tag, and Leash – also have copies of your pets’ registration or any other important documents
- Traveling bag, Crate, or Carrier – one for each pet if possible
- Grooming Items – pet shampoo, brush, etc.
- Sanitation Needs – pet litter, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags, etc.
- Familiar Items – toys, treats, or bedding
- A picture of you with your pet. This will help prove ownership if you get separated from your pet, and it is a helpful reference for others who are searching for your pet
Dante Gonzalez from United Spinal’s Emergency Preparedness Working Group shared the My Pet’s Emergency Plan workbook. It outlines the steps involved in properly preparing for any emergency. The workbook is also available in audio format on the website.
Learn More
See The Wheelchair Emergency Preparedness Compendium You Always Wanted for more Emergency Preparedness Resources. United Spinal Association’s Ready to Roll program, in partnership with the Neilsen Foundation, provides disaster relief for wheelchair users. To learn if you qualify, contact our Resource Center.
