Best Kids Bug Out Bag – Arizona Bug Out Properties
Do your kids have a go bag? Putting together an emergency go bag for kids is just as important as every other emergency preparedness. If your family spends time outdoors vacationing, it’s a vital necessity that the kids have their own bug-out emergency backpack. It’s super simple, let’s get it done.
One of the two main reasons a kid’s emergency bag should be made in advance rather than throwing things together at the last minute is of course time; that’s a no-brainer. But kids need to know what’s in the bug-out bag and how to use it.
Here, we go over some of the basics, and it’s mostly all fairly inexpensive.
What should I put in my child’s emergency bag?
The first rule is to shoot for a 72 Hour Emergency.
Pack the bags with the kids and make sure they understand what everything is for.
The bag should contain:
– 3-day non-perishable food supply like meat pouches, peanut butter, high protein drink pouches, dried fruit, granola, cheese, etc. The goal is both weight and high nutrition. Keep it light. These are not dinners, think small with big protein, calorie punches.
– Small, powerful pen lite w/extra battery. Cyalume glow sticks.
– An old working cheap prepaid phone or your old phone still under account but not activated. You will have all the info already stored under your account and can be activated in minutes. Clean the phone of old contacts, leave ten family members full contact info including email.
– Store items in ziplock baggies. The bags can be used to keep water.
– A decent pocket knife.
– One pair wool socks.
Pack the bags with kids and make sure they understand what everything is for. If you have kids of wide ages, use different color emergency bug-out bags. Older kids should have more advanced goodies at their disposal. Don’t store them in the attic or another hard place to get to. Store them in an easy location with the rule that they can be grabbed anytime but not used unless it’s an emergency. Take the bag with you anywhere, but don’t go snacking. Never use anything from the bag unless it’s an emergency. Be sure younger kids understand when it’s an emergency.
Additional items to add are:
– Fire starters and a fresh lighter.
– Airline-type blankets with one Mylar together decent protection. Fold them very tight and zip-locked.
– Some comfort food, right? Candies, etc.
– Cash. Ziplock a small amount of cash $10-20 Use 1’s and 5’s.
– Copy of mom/dad’s ID with emergency numbers.
– A whistle and walkie-talkie. Midland has good gear, but at least get something in there if on an extreme budget. If you do some camping and wilderness, get good quality talkies.
Obviously, this list can go on, but these are real good essentials to get started. Personalize the bug-out emergency bag with things like extra medicine for those that need that, an extra pair of glasses, etc. Remember different colors and designs for each kid. Make it easy, refresh and check bags monthly, quarterly depending on how often the kids grab the pack. They’re kids and certainly break the no-use rule, so check and refresh them.