Get Home Bag

A Get Home Bag is different from a Bug Out Bag in that it contains fewer supplies and is designed to help you out if there is an emergency while you're away from your house, such as a commute.  Sometimes called a 24 Hour Bag, it will help keep you safe and comfortable until you can get back to where you need to be. 

Much of this list came from How To Build A Get Home Bag on the Art of Manliness.  There's more detailed information there and elsewhere on the web.  Keep in mind that each kit should be individually customized to your unique situation.  Do you pick up your kids from school?  Prepare to have them with you.  Do you travel out of town often?  Keep that in mind.

So here's a basic list to start with and you can build on this as you need.

• Water in a Metal Container
• Energy Bars
• Rain Poncho (rain coat is fine but ponchos are multi use)
• Walking Shoes/Hiking Boots (if you wear dress shoes to work then these are handy)
• Change Of Clothes (dress clothes can be a hinderance, also include a warm jacket)
• Lighter/Matches
• Multi Tool (extremely useful, go for a name brand like Gerber or Leatherman)
• Headlamp/Flashlight
• First Aid Kit
• Hygiene Kit (toilet paper, soap/sanitizer, wet wipes)
• Emergency Blanket (space blanket or military wool blanket)
• Consider a police scanner as well

It's also not a bad idea to keep a jump box in your car.  Most can jump off your car, refill your tires and some can recharge your cell phone.  A standard roadside emergency kit for your vehicle is also handy.

One last note, an old cell phone with a good, charged battery can be used to dial 911 even if you don't have a carrier service for that phone.  Remember to keep ICE (in case of emergency) numbers listed in that phone as well so that emergency workers can find them easily.