Natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes are inevitable for Filipinos, because the Philippines is inside the ring of fire. Welp. That is why every Filipino should be prepared for any emergency. According to DSWD-DROMIC (Department of Social Welfare and Development), these are the necessary items that every Filipino needs to include in their go-bags or emergency kits–ideally one set for each member of the family:
First aid kit
During any sort of calamity or disaster, a first aid kit is a must. First aid kits usually contain bandages, gauges, and antiseptic wipes to aid wounds. Thermometers and prescribed medicines are also vital to care for fevers, colds, headaches, or tummy aches.
Face masks must also be part of the kit, since we’re still in a pandemic.
Drinking water and ready-to-eat food
A go-bag cannot be complete if it does not contain the most vital items of all: Safe drinking water and ready-to-eat food. Bottled water, canned goods, and biscuits or sandwiches are essential as during an emergency, one may face supply scarcity. Remember to pack food supplies that are literally ready to eat–nothing that will require can openers, or cooking utensils, because those things may be impossible to source during an emergency.
It is also ideal to pack Aquatabs, in the event that your bottles of water run out. You can use tap water as a potable drinking source–just pop one tab in a gallon of water and let it purify for a few minutes.
Sleeping bags, mats, or blankets
Sleeping bags or mats and light blankets should also be included in your go-bags to allow you to rest or sleep comfortably, in the event that you and your family are evacuated to a safe area.
Clothes and sanitary supplies
Pack one set of clean and comfortable clothes which include a shirt, a pair of shorts or pajamas, a light jacket, and underwear to help you stay clean.
Aside from clothes, sanitary and toiletry supplies should also be at hand such as napkins, toilet paper, and soap.
Flashlight and whistle
Flashlight and whistle should always come in pairs inside your emergency kits, and ideally every member of the family has one in their pocket at all times during an emergency.
Power outages are imminent during disasters which is why flashlights and some extra batteries are important. On the other hand, the whistle is vital to signal for help especially when you get trapped in an area.
Important documents and spare cash
Put all your important documents in a plastic envelope and include it in your go-bag once a disaster is certain to take place.
The documents that you should take with you are passports, government IDs, insurance documents, bank books, birth certificates, and other very important papers, to avoid losing them during an emergency. You can pack this ahead and just get the documents every time you need them for something–just always to remember to put it back in the same file.
Have spare cash as well, enough to tide your entire family for a few days. Put it in a plastic pouch along with your wallet.
Supplies for infants, children, and the elderly
Other necessities that should be kept in your go-bags are some supplies for infants, children, and the elderly. Ideally, the supplies should include diapers, milk, nebulizers, and compression garments.
And lastly, supplies for your pets
Pets are family! Never leave them behind. Have some supplies for them as well, and stash their meds as well if they are under medication.
Here are other recommended items to include, from the POP! team:
Solar charging-enabled power bank
Expect longer power outage during disasters and catastrophes, so it makes sense to have something that can help you charge your phones even without access to electricity.
One of each type of common charging cables
Charging cables are among the items that anyone most likely will lose during an emergency, so pack short USB type C, USB micro, and lightning-type cables in your bag, so you can still juice up your phones.
Anti-mosquito lotion
Because dengue cases are also on the rise, it might be smart to also pack a bottle of anti-mosquito lotion to help protect everyone in your family from mosquito bites.
Start packing your personal go-bags now and whatever happens, remember to keep calm and stay safe!
Other POP! stories you might like:
10 Must-have WFH items that can help you work faster and more efficiently
Filipino filmmaker David Olson is out to take film festivals by storm with his gripping filmography
