Grab 'n go Bags, Part 1: On the Road

Posted on 27-Jun-2006 at 21:46

I've always been very concerned about emergency preparedness.  One of the ways I try to remain prepared is by having grab 'n go bag in my truck, checked no less than weekly for any need to refill.

A grab 'n go bag is easy to create for your vehicle, too.  Just grab a spare backpack or a retired diaper bag.  Make sure it's something that fits easily into your vehicle and can be secured in a trunk, cargo area, wheel well, or other storage compartment.  (Remember, in the instance of an accident, items like toolboxes and heavy bags can become projectiles.  Unsecured toolboxes have literally killed passengers in wrecks!)

Purchase a First Aid kit (or create one yourself using a pocket of the backpack or a make-up bag or other storage item) and place it in the grab 'n go bag.  In another pocket or smaller bag, place items such as a flashlight, tube tent, a small roll of twine, multi-tool or Swiss Army knife, roadside flares, filtered canteen, and waterproof matches.

Create a snack bag with bottled water and non-perishable food items.  I like to keep "treats" that are also healthy in ours; items such as Nutri-Grain bars go far and pack well, plus they don't melt!  This isn't the place for chocolate, that's for sure!  Pop in a deck of cards, some coloring books and colored pencils (again, nothing that will melt!), a couple of board books or a crossword puzzle book in case of boredom.

Lastly, be sure to remember hygiene products.  If there are babies or toddlers in the family, stash a pack of wipes and extra diapers in the bag, along with a small, easily folded changing pad.  Littles who are potty training require an extra pair of underclothes and some shorts or pants, while teen girls and moms will want to have staple feminine products in the bag. 

Don't worry about making this bag something that will last you for days on end.  The auto grab 'n go bag is a fill-in for those moments on the road when you've got a kiddo who is "starving", forgot to grab the diaper bag, or get stuck in the snow and need to pass an hour while waiting for a tow.  The most important part is to be prepared for emergencies, should they arise; but you may find yourself relying on the grab 'n go for road trips.  Don't we all forget something at some point?  Having a grab 'n go bag in your vehicle could save the day, even when there's not a real emergency at hand.

Good tip!

Posted by HSBFrontPorch on 27-Jun-2006 at 22:16 - Link

We recently had tornadoes in our area and a friend and her kids had to flee their mobile home. A friend called them to let them know that they had to leave immediately. Out they went. They were able to wait out the storm elsewhere and it took them some time to get home because of the downed trees, but they were very happy that they had their emergency bag with them. The snacks and other handy items helped take the edge off of a scary situation!
~Nancy
Senior Editor

Thanks, Nancy!

Posted by melm on 28-Jun-2006 at 08:02 - Link

Glad you liked the post. Having grab 'n go bags for the truck and the house are very important, whether one is on a remote homestead or in an urban area. Emergencies can arise wherever we are, and an good plan along with a good 72-hour bag or better is worth taking the time to create. At the very least, we can always use the security provided by having the "simple, bare necessities" right at hand.

Untitled Comment

Posted by southernbelle on 28-Jun-2006 at 20:24 - Link

Thanks for the wonderful tips. I look forward to more of these. : o )

Female Products

Posted by Anonymous on 1-Jul-2006 at 15:09 - Link

Feminine napkins make excellent pressure bandages. Even though I am \"enjoying\" perimenopause I still keep a full bag of pads handy. I\'ve got some in each \"grab & go bag\". This may, unfortunately, be the one thing that is more versatile than a simple gauze pad in your first aid supplies.

Excellent point!

Posted by melm on 2-Jul-2006 at 09:57 - Link

I love having an extra case of baby wipes around too, even though The Little has (thankfully) gotten long past needing them. They are great for wiping dirty faces, cleaning small owies, and just helping refresh on hot days.