Emergency Go-Bag Essentials: Complete Packing Guide

Your Complete Checklist for Leaving an Unsafe Situation

Important: If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, confidential)

Why You Need a Go-Bag

A go-bag (also called an escape bag or emergency bag) is a pre-packed bag with essential items you’ll need if you must leave your home quickly. This is crucial for anyone in an unsafe relationship, domestic violence situation, or who needs to be prepared for emergency departure.

Keep your bag:

Hidden in a safe location (at a trusted friend’s house, in your car trunk, at work)
Easy to grab quickly
Updated regularly (check every 3 months)

🆔 Critical Documents (Copies or Originals)

Personal Identification

✅ Driver’s license or state ID
✅ Social Security card(s) – yours and children’s
✅ Birth certificate(s) – yours and children’s
✅ Passport(s) if applicable
✅ Immigration papers/Green card/Work permit
✅ Marriage certificate
✅ Divorce papers or custody agreements

Financial Documents

✅ Bank account information (account numbers, routing numbers)
✅ Credit card information
✅ Recent bank statements
✅ Tax returns (last 2 years)
✅ Pay stubs
✅ Deed/lease to home or apartment
✅ Car title and registration
✅ Insurance policies (health, auto, home, life)

Legal Documents

✅ Protection/restraining order (if you have one)
✅ Custody documents
✅ Power of attorney documents
✅ Will or estate planning documents
✅ Any police reports or incident numbers

Medical Records

✅ Medical records for you and children
✅ Prescription information and medication lists
✅ Health insurance cards
✅ Immunization records for children
✅ List of current medications and dosages
✅ Doctors’ contact information

Pro Tip: Keep documents in a waterproof, sealed plastic bag or document holder. Make copies and store originals in a safety deposit box if possible.

💰 Money and Financial Items

✅ Cash – At least $200-500 in small bills (save gradually if needed)
✅ Debit/credit cards in your name only
✅ Checkbook if you have a separate account
✅ List of financial accounts with account numbers
✅ Spare car key and house key
✅ Prepaid phone card or burner phone

Safety Note: If possible, open a bank account your abuser doesn’t know about. Have statements sent to a trusted friend’s address.

📱 Communication Items

✅ Cell phone and charger (keep an old phone charged as backup)
✅ Portable battery pack/power bank (fully charged)
✅ List of important phone numbers written down (don’t rely only on phone contacts)
- Domestic violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- Local police non-emergency number
- Trusted friends/family
- Attorney
- Domestic violence shelter
- Children’s school
- Your workplace

Safety Tip: Be aware that phones can be tracked. Consider getting a prepaid phone your abuser doesn’t know about.

👕 Clothing and Personal Items

For You:

✅ 3-4 days of clothing (prioritize comfort and practicality)
✅ Underwear and socks (1 week’s worth)
✅ Comfortable shoes (sneakers/walking shoes)
✅ Jacket or warm coat
✅ Sleepwear
✅ Basic toiletries (travel-sized):
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Soap/body wash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Any essential skincare items
- Glasses/contacts and solution
- Prescription medications (at least 1 week supply)

For Children:

✅ 3-4 days of clothing in current sizes
✅ Diapers/wipes if needed
✅ Formula/baby food if needed
✅ Comfort items (small toy, blanket, stuffed animal)
✅ Children’s medications
✅ Age-appropriate snacks

💊 Medications and Health Items

✅ All prescription medications (1-2 week supply minimum)
✅ Over-the-counter medications:
- Pain reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
- Allergy medication if needed
- Stomach remedies
- First aid supplies (bandages, antibiotic ointment)
✅ Medical devices (inhalers, EpiPens, glucose monitors, etc.)
✅ Copies of prescriptions with pharmacy information

Important: Refill prescriptions early if possible so you have backup supplies.

📝 Information and Contact Lists

Written Lists (Don’t Rely on Phone Memory):

✅ Emergency contacts with full names, addresses, and phone numbers
✅ Domestic violence resources in your area
✅ Attorney contact information
✅ Children’s school contacts
✅ Medical providers and pharmacies
✅ Account numbers for utilities, credit cards, banks
✅ Social media passwords (write them down in case you need to deactivate)
✅ Evidence of abuse (if safe to keep):
- Photos of injuries (with dates)
- Threatening messages/emails (printed)
- Police report numbers
- Witness names and contact info

🎒 Practical Items

✅ Sturdy bag (backpack or duffel that’s easy to carry)
✅ Flashlight with extra batteries
✅ Plastic bags (gallon-sized, for organization and waterproofing)
✅ Small notebook and pen
✅ Bottle of water
✅ Non-perishable snacks (granola bars, crackers)
✅ Basic hygiene items (hand sanitizer, tissues, wet wipes)
✅ Small first aid kit
✅ Matches or lighter in waterproof container

🧸 Sentimental Items (If Space Allows)

Only include these if they’re irreplaceable and you have room:

✅ Small photo album or important photos
✅ Jewelry with sentimental value
✅ Small keepsakes
✅ Children’s comfort items

Important: Don’t let sentimental items prevent you from leaving if necessary. Your safety is more important than possessions.

📋 Packing Tips and Safety Considerations

Where to Hide Your Go-Bag:

Trusted friend or family member’s house (best option)
Your workplace (in a locked drawer or locker)
Your car trunk (if you have sole access to the vehicle)
Safety deposit box (for documents only)
Neighbor’s house (if they’re trustworthy and understand the situation)

Never hide it: In your home if your abuser might find it.

Packing Strategy:

Use a neutral, inconspicuous bag – not a fancy suitcase that will be noticed missing
Pack travel-sized items when possible to save space
Use plastic bags to organize categories and keep items dry
Label nothing – don’t put your name on the bag
Check and update every 3 months (especially medications and children’s clothing sizes)

Digital Considerations:

Take photos of important documents and email them to a secure email account your abuser doesn’t know about
Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox) with a password your abuser doesn’t know
Consider a USB drive with scanned documents as backup
Clear your browser history after researching domestic violence resources

🚨 Additional Safety Planning

Before You Leave:

✅ Memorize important phone numbers (domestic violence hotline, trusted contacts)
✅ Know where you’re going (shelter, friend’s house, hotel)
✅ Plan your route and have a backup route
✅ Have a signal/code word with trusted friends that means “I need help”
✅ Keep your phone charged and bring portable charger
✅ Consider getting a protection/restraining order first (with legal help)

When You Leave:

✅ Leave when your abuser is not home if possible
✅ Bring your go-bag and nothing else if you’re in danger
✅ Don’t tell your abuser where you’re going
✅ Go directly to your safe location
✅ Call the domestic violence hotline for guidance: 1-800-799-7233

After You Leave:

✅ Change all passwords immediately
✅ Get a new phone number if needed
✅ Alert children’s school/daycare about the situation
✅ Inform your workplace if appropriate
✅ Consider a protection order if you don’t have one
✅ Work with an advocate from a domestic violence organization

📞 Essential Resources

National Hotlines:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
- Available 24/7, confidential, can help with safety planning
- Online chat available at thehotline.org
- Text “START” to 88788
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

What These Services Can Provide:

Confidential crisis counseling
Safety planning assistance
Information about local shelters
Legal advocacy and information
Referrals to local services
Help creating an escape plan

💡 Important Reminders

You are not alone. One in four women and one in nine men experience severe intimate partner violence. Help is available.

Your safety matters most. Leaving can be the most dangerous time. Contact a domestic violence advocate to help you plan.

You don’t need everything on this list to leave. If you’re in immediate danger, leave with whatever you can grab. Everything else can be replaced.

This is not your fault. Abuse is about power and control, not anything you did wrong.

You deserve safety and respect. No one deserves to be abused, regardless of circumstances.

Children are affected by witnessing abuse. Leaving an abusive relationship is often the best thing you can do for your children.

You can rebuild your life. Many people who leave abusive relationships go on to live happy, fulfilling lives. You can too.

🎯 Quick Checklist: Grab-and-Go Essentials

If you must leave RIGHT NOW and can only grab a few things:

✅ Your ID/driver’s license
✅ Phone and charger
✅ Cash if you have any accessible
✅ Medications (especially critical prescriptions)
✅ Children’s essentials (if applicable)
✅ Car keys

Everything else can be replaced. Your safety cannot.

Final Thoughts

Preparing a go-bag doesn’t mean you’ve failed or that you’re giving up on your relationship. It means you’re being smart and protecting yourself and your children. Many people prepare go-bags and never need to use them—but having one provides peace of mind and a concrete escape plan if the situation escalates.

If you’re reading this because you need it: you are strong, you are brave, and you deserve safety. Reach out for help. You don’t have to do this alone.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Available 24/7 | Completely Confidential | They can help

This guide is for informational purposes only. For personalized safety planning, please contact a domestic violence advocate or counselor who can help you create a plan specific to your situation.

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