LISTED: 10 Items You Need for Your 'Go Bag' | SM Supermalls

Living in a tropical archipelago that sits on the Ring of Fire and gets an average of 20 typhoons a year, we never know when the next big earthquake or super typhoon is going to be.

Make sure you’re armed with a good disaster preparedness plan to get through any untimely catastrophe. If you haven’t yet, now is the perfect time to assemble your emergency ‘Go Bag’ – a survival kit backpack that must contain enough supplies to last you (and your family!) for at least 72 hours.

Stock up your Go Bag and be prepared with these essentials you can find at SM Supermalls:

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1. FLASHLIGHT

The first thing you need to tick off from this emergency Go Bag checklist is a flashlight.

In the event of any disaster, power is usually the first one to go down. Don’t be left helpless in the dark – vision can be the difference between life and death. Use a flashlight to find your way out when the power is out.

Grab a lightweight but reliable flashlight from Tactics. Make sure you have batteries too! (See item #10)

Branches: SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Lipa, SM City Marikina, SM Southmall

(Photo from Tactics)

2. WHISTLE

Beyond P.E. class and sports, whistles are incredibly useful during calamities. You can use them to call for help, especially when you need immediate attention or a rescue operation.

When mobile coverage fails you, whistles can be an ingenious tool to communicate. Grab a handful of them at Toby’s and make sure everyone in the family gets their own.

Branches: SM Aura Premier, SM Center Angono, SM City Bacolod, SM City Bacoor, SM City Baguio, SM City Baliwag, SM City Calamba, SM City Cebu, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Fairview, SM City Iloilo, SM City Legazpi, SM City Lipa, SM City Manila, SM City Marilao, SM City Molino, SM City Pampanga, SM City Rosario, SM City San Lazaro, SM City San Pablo, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Tarlac, SM City Taytay, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Trece Martires, SM City Valenzuela, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Southmall

(Photo from Toby's)

3. BOTTLED WATER

Sure, staying hydrated is a daily priority, but it’s especially important during times of crisis. Dehydration can cause a lot of discomfort, dizziness, nausea, and fainting—things you want to avoid in emergencies.

You may not have immediate access to clean drinking water at those times, so keeping a steady stock of bottled water is a necessity. You can get clean, safe, and affordable bottled water from SM Bonus in all major SM Supermarket, Savemore Market, and SM Hypermarket branches.

4. READY-TO-EAT FOOD

In a situation where power is out and you don’t have the luxury of cooking, you can turn to ready-to-eat food for survival. These are quick and instant food that can give you that bit of energy burst.

Crackers and granola bars are handy and would supply you with enough calories for a day in each pack. Candies, biscuits, and sugary treats should also be able to give you enough energy and keep you alert. Head to any of the SM Supermarket, Savemore Market, and SM Hypermarket branches nationwide and choose from their wide selection.

5. FIRST AID KIT

One of the scariest things about emergencies is the possibility of an injury. Put that worry to a manageable amount by having a first aid kit. You can be confident that you’d be able to clean and dress minor cuts and wounds to avoid infections.

Watsons has a pre-packed first aid kit so you won’t have to assemble it yourself. Gauze, antiseptic, bandages - they’re all in there.

Branches: SM Aura Premier, SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM Center Angono, SM Center Imus, SM Center Las Piñas, SM Center Lemery, SM Center Muntinlupa, SM Center Ormoc, SM Center Pasig, SM Center Pulilan, SM Center Sangandaan, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Bacolod, SM City Bacoor, SM City Baguio, SM City Baliwag, SM City Batangas, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cabanatuan, SM City Cagayan De Oro, SM City Calamba, SM City Cauayan, SM City Cebu, SM City Clark, SM City Consolacion, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Davao, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Fairview, SM City General Santos, SM City Iloilo, SM City Legazpi, SM City Lipa, SM City Lucena, SM City Manila, SM City Marikina, SM City Marilao, SM City Masinag, SM City Molino, SM City Naga, SM City North EDSA, SM City Novaliches, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Pampanga, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Rosales, SM City Rosario, SM City San Fernando Downtown, SM City San Jose Del Monte, SM City San Lazaro, SM City San Mateo, SM City San Pablo, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Sucat, SM City Tarlac, SM City Taytay, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Trece Martires, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Valenzuela, SM Lanang Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, SM Megamall, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Southmall

(Photo from Watsons)

6. PERSONAL HYGIENE AND SANITARY SUPPLIES

More than just keeping you comfortable and clean, a hygiene kit can also help keep diseases and infections at bay. Having items that help you sanitize yourself and your surroundings is very important since disasters zones are susceptible to bacteria build-up.

You never know how long you might have to go without your everyday hygiene and grooming necessities, so stock up on things like tissue, toothbrush, soap and shampoo, wet wipes, alcohol, disinfectants, cotton balls, etc.

7. EMERGENCY BLANKET

If you ever find yourself without shelter, having an emergency blanket in your go bag would be a huge comfort. It functions both as an insulator, keeping you warm, and as a barrier between you and the elements.

These blankets are incredibly light and compact, but they can cover your entire body when they’re unfolded. They’re not that hard to find either, since Coleman and Watsons sell them at a very reasonable price.

Coleman Branch: SM Megamall

Watsons Branches: SM Aura Premier, SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM Center Angono, SM Center Imus, SM Center Las Piñas, SM Center Lemery, SM Center Muntinlupa, SM Center Ormoc, SM Center Pasig, SM Center Pulilan, SM Center Sangandaan, SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown, SM City Bacolod, SM City Bacoor, SM City Baguio, SM City Baliwag, SM City Batangas, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cabanatuan, SM City Cagayan De Oro, SM City Calamba, SM City Cauayan, SM City Cebu, SM City Clark, SM City Consolacion, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Davao, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Fairview, SM City General Santos, SM City Iloilo, SM City Legazpi, SM City Lipa, SM City Lucena, SM City Manila, SM City Marikina, SM City Marilao, SM City Masinag, SM City Molino, SM City Naga, SM City North EDSA, SM City Novaliches, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Pampanga, SM City Puerto Princesa, SM City Rosales, SM City Rosario, SM City San Fernando Downtown, SM City San Jose Del Monte, SM City San Lazaro, SM City San Mateo, SM City San Pablo, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Sucat, SM City Tarlac, SM City Taytay, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Trece Martires, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Valenzuela, SM Lanang Premier, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, SM Megamall, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Southmall

(Photos from Coleman and Watsons)

8. PORTABLE RADIO

Keeping a portable radio is one of the most efficient ways to listen to the latest news and updates. After all, radio is still the first media outlet that people look to for announcements. Getting information as fast as they’re released can bring calming news in a time of chaos.

Have a small battery-operated radio that’s just the right size to fit into your survival kit backpack. You can find portable radios at general merchandise stores such as The SM Store or SM Appliance in SM Supermalls nationwide.

9. HAND TOOLS SET

The point of having a Go Bag is to be prepared for anything at all, so you should have some basic tools like a knife or cutting pliers in your survival kit list. You’ll never know if you have to forcibly unhinge a door or cut a rope lose.

Blade has this handy 9-piece hand tools set that fits well in your survival backpack. With this, you can be ready with whichever tool you might need to get the job done.

Branches: SM Center Angono, SM City Batangas, SM City Cebu, SM City Consolacion, SM City Davao, SM City Lipa, SM City Lucena, SM City Masinag, SM City North EDSA, SM City San Jose Del Monte, SM City San Lazaro, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Taytay, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Seaside City Cebu

(Photo from Blade)

10. BATTERIES

This last item on the emergency go bag checklist should never be overlooked. Spare batteries could save your life because during these powerless calamities, everything is suddenly battery-powered.

Make sure you have all the different battery types and sizes for the items in your go bag. Be it a 9-volt, AAA or penlight battery, Ace Hardware has batteries of all kinds for what you need.

Branches: SM Aura Premier, SM Center Angono, SM Center Imus, SM Center Las Piñas, SM Center Lemery, SM Center Muntinlupa, SM Center Pasig, SM Center Pulilan, SM Center Sangandaan, SM Cherry Antipolo, SM City Bacoor, SM City Baguio, SM City Baliwag, SM City Batangas, SM City BF Parañaque, SM City Bicutan, SM City Cabanatuan, SM City Calamba, SM City Clark, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City East Ortigas, SM City Fairview, SM City Lipa, SM City Lucena, SM City Manila, SM City Marikina, SM City Marilao, SM City Masinag, SM City Molino, SM City Naga, SM City North EDSA, SM City Novaliches, SM City Olongapo Downtown, SM City Pampanga, SM City Rosales, SM City Rosario, SM City San Fernando Downtown, SM City San Jose Del Monte, SM City San Lazaro, SM City San Mateo, SM City San Pablo, SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM City Sucat, SM City Tarlac, SM City Taytay, SM City Telabastagan, SM City Trece Martires, SM City Urdaneta Central, SM City Valenzuela, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megacenter Cabanatuan, SM Megamall, SM Southmall

(Photo from Ace Hardware)