Prepare Kansas: Create a Grab-and-Go Box

By Nora Rhoades, Family and Youth Development Agent

Imagine if you had just minutes or even seconds to evacuate your home or head to the basement. Would you have access to the cash, bank information and personal identification you’d need if disaster strikes?

One thing worth taking the time to do right now is creating a grab-and-go box. Consider keeping important documents in a secure place in your home in a waterproof, fireproof container that can be taken with you on a moment’s notice.

I recommend copies of certain documents be part of the kit such as: identification including copies of your driver’s license, passports, and social security cards; insurance cards, policies, or other proof of insurance coverage; a household inventory; immunization records; and telephone numbers and account information for financial service and insurance providers, as well as phone numbers of family members, doctors and veterinarian.

In addition, if family records such as birth, marriage and death certificates are not kept in a safe deposit box, they should be in the grab-and-go box. Wills, contracts, stocks, bonds and vehicle titles should also be included.

For resources to assist with creating a grab-and-go-box, visit your local Post Rock District Office in Beloit, Mankato, Lincoln, Osborne, and Smith Center. Find out more about disaster preparedness by connecting to the Prepare Kansas Blog and the Post Rock Extension District’s Facebook Page.