How to prepare for an emergency: Create a 'go bag,' do a home inventory and other lessons from the L.A. fires we can all learn

Kaitlin Reilly
·Reporter
·8 min read
The Los Angeles fires led to mass destruction in neighborhoods like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. (Getty Creative)
The Los Angeles fires led to mass destruction in neighborhoods like the Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Here's how to prepare for future disasters. (Getty Creative)

This month, multiple fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds swept Los Angeles County, leading to the destruction of several neighborhoods and thousands of people evacuated from their homes. As the city sorts through the destruction, people are looking toward this disaster, already on track to become the worst in California history, as proof that they need to be prepared for the next emergency.

“As the climate crisis worsens and disasters become more frequent and intense, being prepared for the disasters that happen in your area is one of the best ways to protect you and your loved ones,” a spokesperson for the American Red Cross tells Yahoo Life. “Making a plan to stay safe for you and your family unit, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll be able to stay connected to emergency response officials is critical.”

What can you do to be prepared for the next crisis, be it a fire or other emergency? Here’s what to know.

These survival kits, which you should leave in an easily accessible place should you have to grab it in a hurry, can help you stay prepared with basic necessities in the event of unexpected situations like natural disasters or power outages. The American Red Cross sells emergency kits, which feature supplies like basic toiletries, first-aid supplies and pouches of clean drinking water.

If you are creating your own emergency kit, or are adding to one you already purchased, make sure you include the following items, including suggestions from the Red Cross:

  • Water (a gallon per day, per person); if you need to evacuate you should have enough for three days, but it’s recommended that homes be stocked with at least enough water to last two weeks

  • Non-perishable food (again, three days’ worth in case of evacuation, a two-week supply at home)

  • First-aid supplies, including bandages, antiseptic, medications and any personal prescriptions (at least a week’s supply is advised)

  • Flashlight and extra batteries

  • Phone charger; a fully charged phone power bank is also useful in the event of a power outage

  • Multipurpose tool that includes a knife and can opener

  • Blankets

  • Personal hygiene items

  • Copies of important documents, such as your driver’s license, birth certificate and passport

  • Cash, as electronic payment systems may be down during a power outage

  • A battery-powered or hand-crank radio

  • N95 masks to protect against dust or smoke

  • Items for pets, such as dog food or medications

An important part of staying safe during a disaster is communicating with your family about what do in the event of an emergency, according to the Red Cross. That may include identifying ways to stay safe, mapping out the evacuation route from your neighborhood and establishing a meeting place if you’re separated.

Part of this planning, per the Red Cross, is assessing what disasters are most likely to strike in your area, be it an earthquake, fire, hurricane or tornado. Each potential scenario will have unique planning needs.

In addition to speaking to your immediate family, talking to your neighbors about their evacuation plans can help you stay safe, as well as protect vulnerable individuals, such as an elderly neighbor or young kids.

You don’t know when you’ll be able to charge your cellphone in order to access all of your contacts, so make a list of emergency numbers that you can take with you in case of an evacuation. In addition to contact info for friends and family, numbers to have on hand include local police and fire departments, roadside assistance, your doctor and (if you’re a pet owner) veterinarian. You should also have your auto, medical and home (or renter’s) insurance numbers on hand should you need to reach out for assistance.

If you have time to prepare before an emergency situation that may require evacuation, such as incoming extreme weather, fill up your car’s gas tank, per the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s preparedness guide. You should also check your tires, oil tank and any general maintenance that’s needed.

Don’t forget your furry friends. If your plan is to evacuate with your pets, Amber Batteiger, communications manager at Embrace Pet Insurance, says it’s important to first make a list of pet-friendly shelters, hotels or family and friends who can accommodate you and your animals. You should also prepare a specific “go bag” for your pets, which include food, water, medications, leash and other essentials.

You can also practice evacuating with your pets so they get “accustomed to the process,” Batteiger tells Yahoo Life. She adds that having pets who are microchipped and have up-to-date ID tags will “increase the chances of reunion if you get separated.”

As a general rule of thumb, the USDA recommends throwing out food from a fridge after a power outage of four hours or more. This is due to the fact that perishable foods can reach unsafe temperatures and promote bacterial growth. Should your power go out, make sure to keep your fridge closed, as letting warmer air can speed up the spoiling process. There’s more leeway when it comes to freezers — up to 48 hours for a full freezer, and 24 for one that’s only half-full, per federal food safety guidelines — but keeping freezer doors closed is still advised.

If you’re concerned that you may lose power due to an upcoming crisis, such as bad weather, you may want to consider purchasing more shelf-stable foods on your next grocery run. Try tinned fish and canned beans, for example, which you can also throw in a go bag if you have to evacuate.

Many natural disasters can cause the air to become unhealthy, which is especially risky for groups with respiratory issues like asthma. Running an air purifier while inside can help mitigate these issues.

The N95 masks you used during the COVID-19 pandemic can also protect your lungs from wildfire smoke, as well as air issues caused by natural disasters. Keep them on hand for the times in which you may need to go outside during less-than-ideal conditions.

In an emergency situation, you may be tempted to bring irreplaceable things with you. Realistically, however, you won’t have the room or capacity to carry more than you need in the moment to survive.

One of the most emotionally significant items people lost in the Los Angeles fires were family photos. If losing photos is a concern of yours, consider digitizing images that are important to you — whether that’s your grandparents’ wedding photo or your children’s drawings from kindergarten. Digital photo albums can be easily accessed online or on your phone.

If you have important objects that you may not be able to carry with you should you need to evacuate ASAP, such as jewelry, consider investing in a fireproof safe.

The Federal Trade Commission advises keeping copies of important paperwork, such as Social Security and health insurance cards, prescriptions, financial records and ownership documents for property and vehicles in a secure place, like a lockable, fireproof box that you can grab and go in an emergency.

In addition to physical copies of your paperwork, you can use technology to keep your information secure. Upload copies of these documents to cloud storage, so you’ll be able to access the information even if you lose the physical papers. Some banks also offer “virtual safe deposit boxes” for such information. Just make sure that whatever digital system you use is strongly password protected, such as with multifactor authentication, the FTC advises.

Preparing a home inventory before disaster strikes can help if you do lose items and need to file a claim with your insurance company. Take note (and better yet, photos) of every item of value in your home, whether it’s your flat-screen TV, your kid’s laptop or the new running shoes you got for Christmas. Do your best to compile a file indicating the date you purchased the item, its estimated value, any serial numbers associated with it and a detailed description. You should also upload copies of your receipts from purchases so that you’re able to access them should you need proof of ownership.

If you’re unsure about what your home insurance covers — or doesn’t — it’s important to communicate with your company for clarity, especially if you’re concerned about specific natural disasters that may impact you down the road. If you’re a renter, consider getting renter’s insurance, which may help you replace items should they be lost in a disaster.

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