Don't wait until the last minute to make a family evacuation plan! Begin now with an easy to create Bug-Out List!
There is no such thing as a generic evacuation plan so don’t believe anyone who tells you that there is a one-size-fits-all plan. Every family’s situation (and capabilities) are different and need to be considered before you can build an effective evacuation plan.
But the one thing that you are sure to need is a Bug-Out List. This is a list of the items that you need to take with you during an evacuation.
So instead of trying to come up with a full evacuation plan, simply start with a Bug-Out List. And don’t worry, your list may only be a few items at first. But anything that you have on your list now, makes for less things to think about during an actual evacuation.
Remember that this list is time-sensitive with the most important items for your family listed first. The more time you have before you evacuate, the more things you can take with you.
Bug-Out List Example
Grandpa TJ's 1st Bug-Out List
Click on the list above to scan down
Your Bug-Out List
Here are some general ideas for things to include on your family’s Bug-Out List laid out in a sample timeline order. Change the items and the order as needed.
Your first need to have outdoor clothes. So list clothes, shoes, jackets, hats and gloves for each person – including items for family members who aren’t there at the moment but can catch up with you later. Also make sure you include winter and rainwear in case weather conditions change.
EDC items like your wallet, cellphone and keys should be next on the list. Then follow with everyone’s home-made Go-Bags or commercial 48-72 hour Emergency Survival Kits which will provide a limited amount of the survival triangle (▲) items: shelter, water and food.
Having lighting options like flashlights, both battery-powered and Hand-Cranked Lanterns and long-lasting Chemical Lightsticks means that you can save your cell phone’s battery for important communication and information – instead of using it as an emergency light.
It is important to have ways to treat injuries during an evacuation. Medical aid will probably not be available anytime soon, so make sure that you have at least a basic First aid kit with you.
Don’t forget prescriptions for each member of the family. Don’t have an additional crisis because of forgotten blood pressure medicine. At the same time, general purpose Over-The-Counter (OTC) drugs like aspirin, cold and sinus remedies might be included. Make plans for a cooler if important meds, like insulin, need to be refrigerated.
One of the first things to do for victims of any disaster is keep them warm! Wool and Wool-blend Blankets will keep you warm even if totally wet but regular blankets are good too. While it’s hard to beat a warm blanket for comfort and snuggling but Emergency Blankets are pocket-sized, will keep out wind and rain and will keep you warm.
They aren’t just for the kitchen any more and they really beat wiping your hands (or a kid’s face!) on your clothes. Both cloth and paper towels can be useful across a wide range of needs. Cloth towels can be used as improvised Bandages and Splints. Paper towels can even be used as tinder to help start a campfire. You may want to check out the coin-sized, Compressed Cloth Towelettes as an easy-to-carry solution.
The first element of the survival triangle (▲) is shelter from the elements. Although your Go-Bags and the blankets can help, this is where your camping gear really comes into play. Tents, sleeping bags, propane gas heaters and stoves, fire-starting gear, axes and saws to chop firewood are all items to be considered. But bulk and weight have to be balanced against usefulness. A folding picnic table would be nice but most likely would be too big and heavy to take – especially if you have to hike somewhere.
The next element of the survival triangle (▲) is surprisingly water, not food, because you can go a long time without food. But after a couple of days without water… There are several options that you should consider: commercial water bottles, canteens or other containers and individual and group water purification kits. All of these options are discussed on the Locate Supplies page.
The final leg of the survival triangle (▲) is food. Again there are a large number of options: things you can get from the pantry, survival foods you can make yourselves, canned goods and dehydrated foods. All of these food options are discussed on the Locate Supplies page.
After the basic survival needs are covered, you can then start on everything else (as room in the car and time allows) such as:
- Financial: important papers and computer backups.
- Information sources: AM/FM/Weather Radios, Two-Way Radios and Cellular Phone Chargers.
- Morale boosters: playing cards, board games, books and DVD’s.
- Sentimental: photo and stamp albums, jewelry and artwork.
- Big and heavy stuff: portable generators, chain saws, hammers, shovels, and other tools.
Staged: items are assembled in an easy-to-load-into-the-car location like the middle of the living room or garage
Loaded: items that have been actually put into the cars
Description: Spell out exactly what is needed – don’t miss useful items because of vague descriptions
Location(s): Where the items are normally located so you don’t waste time looking around the house.
Grandpa TJ: This is the first Bug-Out checklist that I developed soon after the 2003 Cedar fire came so close to my house. Through the years, I have updated it with hand-written notes. But while this list works for my family, it probably wouldn’t for yours.
Your list should personalized for your family’s needs.
So stop reading this – open up your notes app and write down a few items you know you will need right now! Just get the list started – it doesn’t have to be perfect or complete.
Because when you need the list – it’s too late to start writing it down!