A practical volcanic-eruption evacuation kit is a carryable Go-Kit with water, shelf-stable food, prescription medicines, first aid, ash protection, light, communications, power, sturdy clothing, documents and pet supplies. Prepare a second, larger reserve at home and a smaller vehicle kit. The portable bag is for leaving quickly; the home reserve is for sheltering when officials say it is safe to remain.
Pack for ash as well as ordinary evacuation problems. Volcanic ash can impair breathing and vision, contaminate water, reduce road visibility and damage vehicle engines. Follow official evacuation orders and routes even when your bag is not perfect: take the essentials, leave promptly and keep your radio or phone available for changing instructions.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Build three layers of supplies
Use separate containers so you can grab what you need without carrying your entire household reserve. The American Red Cross describes a portable Go-Kit as supplies you can carry for at least three days and recommends maintaining at least two weeks of supplies at home. A vehicle kit fills gaps if you evacuate by car or become stranded away from home.
| Kit | Purpose and duration | What makes it different |
|---|---|---|
| Portable Go-Kit | At least three days of supplies that one person can carry, based on American Red Cross guidance (2023). | Compact, waterproofed where possible, with immediately usable water, food, medicines, ash PPE, documents and power. |
| Home reserve | At least two weeks of household supplies, based on American Red Cross guidance (2023). | Heavier water and food stores, sanitation items, extra protective equipment, tools and replacement supplies. |
| Vehicle kit | Emergency support when traveling or waiting out traffic. | Maps, tools, first aid, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, food, water, light and vehicle-specific essentials. |
Keep safety glasses and dust masks in practical locations such as home, work and the car, as the National Weather Service recommends. Store the portable bag near an exit, but not where falling objects, floodwater or ash could block it.
#1 Best Overall
- NIOSH Approved : (NIOSH Approval Number: TC-84A-9276) - NIOSH Approved N95 respirator mask certified for at least 95% filtration efficiency against particulate aerosols free of oil.
- Credible Manufacturer : Manufactured by Shanghai Yunqing Industrial Co., Ltd., a NIOSH approved manufacturer of N95 respirator mask. The mask is listed on the NIOSH website as an approved N95 mask.
- Standard Head Loops : This is a NIOSH approved N95 mask that straps must go behind head instead of the ears to offer better protection. The straps are firmly attached and made of very comfortable cotton materials, more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
- New Upgraded Material : The active filter layer of these N95 masks is composed of dual ultra-high grade electrostatically charged meltblown polypropylene. Our N95 respirators far exceeds NIOSH filtration requirements, filters at least 95% non-oil based airborne particles with less than 60pa breathing resistance. Skin-friendly non-woven inner layer gives you the most comfortable wearing experience.
- Adjustable Nose Clip : Moldable nose clip with anti-fog cushioning foam provides better seal and reduced fog on eyewear. With plastic covered metal nose clip, it is not easily broken and can be used many times.
Water and food: pack usable calories first
Water quantity and containers
The Red Cross planning quantity is at least one gallon of water per person per day. For a portable bag, divide that allowance among sturdy, sealed containers so one puncture does not remove your entire supply. Include water for drinking and basic medication use; do not assume a public fountain or an unfamiliar tap will be available during an evacuation.
Keep the larger water reserve at home in containers you can move safely. Mark fill or purchase dates and rotate supplies according to the container manufacturer’s instructions. People with medical, mobility or caregiving needs may require more carrying capacity or an assigned helper.
Food that works during an evacuation
Choose shelf-stable foods that can be eaten with little or no cooking: energy bars, ready-to-eat canned or pouch foods, dried fruit, crackers and other familiar items. Include a manual can opener; an electric opener may be useless during a power outage. Pack foods that match allergies, diabetes plans, infant feeding needs and cultural preferences, and include disposable utensils if your household cannot wash dishes.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallUse small packages to control weight and reduce waste after opening. Put the first meal near the top of the bag so you do not have to empty it at a roadside stop or shelter.
Medicines, first aid and health records
Prescription and respiratory medicines
When evacuating, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises taking at least a one-week supply of prescription medicines. Keep medicines in labeled containers when possible, and carry a written list showing each medicine, dose, schedule, prescriber and pharmacy contact. Add over-the-counter medicines your household routinely relies on, such as pain or fever relief, but do not substitute a generic product for a prescribed treatment.
Rank #2
- NIOSH APPROVED: For at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil based particles
- COMPATIBLE: With a variety of protective eyewear and hearing protection
- ADJUSTABLE NOSECLIP: Reduces potential for eyewear fogging and helps provide a custom and secure seal
- TWO-STRAP DESIGN: With welded dual point attachement that helps provide a secure fit
- APPLICATIONS: Gringing, sanding, sweeping, bagging, and other dusty operations. Metalworking, chemical processing, construction, and metal processing
Pack extra respiratory medicines or oxygen when a clinician has determined they are medically required. Include the equipment needed to use them, spare batteries for powered devices and a plan for refrigeration if a medicine normally requires it. Ask a pharmacist in advance how to obtain an emergency refill if an evacuation order occurs while your supply is low.
First aid and personal aids
Carry a first-aid kit and its manual. Include any wound-care items your household already uses, plus hand sanitizer, soap, tissues and personal hygiene products. Pack prescription glasses and a spare pair if available. If you use contact lenses, add spare lenses and cleaning solution; glasses are often easier to use in dusty conditions.
Put copies of personal, financial and medical records in a sealed folder or encrypted digital storage. Include identification, insurance information, emergency contacts, allergies, vaccination details and advance-care documents that responders may need. Protect paper copies from ash and rain with a resealable waterproof pouch.
Ash protection: respirator, eye and skin coverage
Choose the right respirator
For outdoor exposure and ash cleanup, CDC guidance says to use a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator, also called an air-purifying respirator. An N95 filters particulate ash when it fits correctly; it does not filter toxic gases or vapors. A generic nuisance-dust mask is not equivalent to a NIOSH-approved N95, so check the NIOSH approval marking and use the size and model that seals comfortably to your face.
Pack more than one respirator per person so a mask that becomes wet, dirty or damaged can be replaced. Facial hair can prevent the seal required for the stated protection. People who cannot achieve a safe fit, including some children or people with certain medical conditions, should obtain individualized advice before an eruption and follow local health instructions.
Rank #3
- 20-pack NIOSH Approved N95 Respirator Mask - (NIOSH Approval Number: TC-84A-9315) - N95 mask certified for protection against 95% of non-oil based particles 0.3microns or larger. Size Medium/Large. Elastic bands go over the head, not over the ears.
- MADE IN USA – Manufactured by BNX Converting LLC in Houston TX, a NIOSH/CDC Approved and FDA Registered (Registration # 3017489417) manufacturer of N95 mask respirators.
- Superior Protection & Breathability - BNX’s 5-layer filtration technology provides maximum protection, comfort and breathability. The active filter layer of these N95 masks is composed of ultra-high grade electrostatically charged meltblown polypropylene. Extremely breathable up to 50%+ more breathable than NIOSH minimum requirement.
- Latex Free Enhanced Comfort and Secure Fit - Features latex free and amazingly soft and durable headband straps as well as an adjustable metal nose piece to ensure a tight yet comfortable seal. Please follow all recommended fitting instructions and guidelines to ensure proper fit and protective seal. Flat fold design allows for convenient storage prior to use. Improved 3D design provides room for your mouth to move when you speak and greater compatibility with and reduced fog on eyewear.
- BNX Quality Promise & Applications - BNX is committed to delivering the highest quality American made safety products using the latest automated manufacturing processes and technology and the strictest quality standards. Our N95 respirator masks are ideal for use by industries such as: Commercial Buildings, Construction, Food Processing & Safety, Retail, Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Education, Oil & Gas, Transportation, and mor
Protect eyes, skin and clothing
Goggles or tightly fitting safety glasses help keep abrasive ash out of the eyes. Pack ordinary prescription glasses even if you normally wear contacts. Add long-sleeved shirts, long pants, gloves, sturdy closed-toe shoes and spare socks. These layers reduce direct contact with ash and make walking over rough or contaminated surfaces safer. Keep a plastic bag for dirty clothing so ash is not spread through the shelter or vehicle.
Light, communication and charging
Pack a flashlight and spare batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, phone charging cables and backup batteries. Keep the radio accessible rather than buried under food. Charge power banks when an eruption alert is issued, but do not rely on mobile service: towers may be congested or damaged. Write important telephone numbers and meeting locations on paper in case a phone battery fails.
Use official emergency alerts, local authority announcements and designated evacuation-route information. A radio is especially useful when ash or a power outage makes internet access unreliable. Do not leave a charging cable behind because a phone without power cannot receive route changes or shelter notices.
Documents, money and practical tools
In addition to records, carry cash in small denominations, keys, a pen, a basic map and a small multitool if local rules permit. A manual can opener belongs with the food. Add spare batteries in their packaging, not loose against metal objects. Keep documents and cash in separate waterproof pouches so losing one pouch does not lose everything.
Label the bag with a household contact and a medical alert if appropriate. If several people share the load, assign each person a color or name and distribute heavy items so one person is not left carrying all the water.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #4
- NIOSH-APPROVED N95 for at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil-based particles and aerosols
- 3M COOL FLOW EXHALATION VALVE helps direct exhaled air downward and allows for easy breathing
- UP TO 50% EASIER BREATHING. Compared to non-valved 3M 8200 Testing
- ADVANCED FILTER MEDIA for easy breathing
- ADJUSTABLE M-NOSECLIP helps provide a custom and secure seal
Pets, children, older adults and disability accommodations
Pets
For every pet, pack food, water, medicines, a carrier or crate, leash, identification details, waste bags and a familiar comfort item. Confirm in advance which evacuation shelters accept animals; many do not allow pets in the same sleeping area. Keep vaccination and ownership records with your other documents.
Children and dependent adults
Add diapers, formula or feeding equipment, comfort items, age-appropriate food, spare clothing and any communication card a child or dependent adult uses. Plan how a person who cannot walk, hear, see or communicate independently will evacuate. Include mobility-device chargers, transfer aids or backup batteries when applicable, and identify a helper who can take over if the primary caregiver is separated.
Prepare the vehicle kit and understand ash-driving risks
CDC vehicle-kit guidance includes food, water, maps, tools, a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, flashlight, batteries and other vehicle essentials. Keep a second set of safety glasses and dust masks in the vehicle, as NWS recommends. Check tire condition, fuel level and windshield-washer fluid before an alert; ash can quickly reduce visibility and make road surfaces slippery.
Avoid unnecessary driving in ash. It reduces visibility, creates a respiratory hazard and can clog engines. If driving is unavoidable, keep windows closed and set the ventilation system to recirculate rather than draw outside air. Drive only on routes designated by officials, leave extra distance and stop if visibility becomes unsafe. Do not assume a vehicle is protected merely because its windows are closed; ash can still enter through air intakes and damage moving parts.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat to do when an evacuation order arrives
- Check the official instruction. Confirm whether your zone must evacuate, the deadline, the designated route and the approved shelter or reception area.
- Take the portable Go-Kit. Prioritize water, food, the one-week prescription supply, respiratory equipment, N95 respirators, goggles, records, phone power and pet needs.
- Dress for ash. Put on goggles, a properly fitted N95, long sleeves, long pants, gloves and sturdy shoes before going outdoors.
- Secure only what officials allow. Do not delay departure to collect valuables or build a perfect bag. Follow local instructions about shutting utilities, closing windows or leaving immediately.
- Use the designated route. Keep the radio on for changes, expect traffic and do not take shortcuts into restricted areas.
- Tell a contact where you are going. Send a brief message when service works, then conserve battery power for official updates.
Take only essential items that you can control and carry. A heavy bag that slows evacuation is less useful than a smaller bag containing water, medicines, protective equipment, records and communication power.
Best Value
- NIOSH-APPROVED N95 for at least 95 percent filtration efficiency against certain non-oil-based particles and aerosols
- USE FOR: Sanding, drywall cutting, sweeping, sawing, woodworking, fiberglass insulating, yard work, grinding and dusting
- 3M ADVANCED ELECTROSTATIC MEDIA enhances the capture of airborne particles and allows for easy breathing
- 3M COOL FLOW VALVE helps release warm, exhaled breath from inside the respirator
- UP TO 50% EASIER BREATHING Compared to 3M 8200
If ash is falling while you travel
Stay indoors until authorities say it is safe when evacuation is not yet required. Close windows and doors, and use plastic sheeting and tape to help seal openings during extreme ashfall, as USGS advises. Avoid stirring settled ash; sweeping it dry can put particles back into the air. If you must go outside, wear the N95, eye protection and covering clothing.
Keep pets indoors and limit their exposure. Do not let ash-covered animals groom themselves until they can be cleaned safely. Follow local cleanup instructions because roofs, gutters and weakened structures may present hazards that a basic Go-Kit cannot solve.
Drinking water after ash contamination
If ash enters your drinking water, use another source, such as purchased bottled water, until the water can be tested, according to CDC safety guidance. Do not rely on clear appearance or taste as proof of safety. Use an approved alternative for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and preparing infant feeds until local health authorities or testing confirm the supply is safe.
Recommended Free Tools
Maintenance checklist and common failure points
- Seasonal check: Open the bag, replace expired food and medicines, test flashlights and radios, recharge backup batteries and replace clothing that no longer fits.
- Fit check: Keep several NIOSH-approved N95 sizes available if household members need different fits; a respirator that leaks is not a substitute for a better-sealing model.
- Route check: Review official evacuation maps and identify more than one meeting place, while recognizing that officials may change routes during an eruption.
- Water check: Inspect containers for leaks and distribute weight across bags rather than placing all water in one pack.
- Access check: Keep the kit reachable if elevators fail, and make sure helpers know where mobility equipment, oxygen and pet carriers are stored.
- Vehicle check: Replace dead batteries, restock first aid and water, and remove loose items that could become hazards during sudden braking.
The most reliable kit is not the largest one. It is the one that can leave with you immediately, protects breathing and vision from ash, keeps essential treatment going, and remains usable when roads, water supplies, power and communications are disrupted.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
