The GO BAG (or bugout bag), once thought of as a security blanket for the conspiracy theorist, has gained the status of a legit safety item that you need in your home.

In fact, government and city officials recommend having a GO BAG ready at all times.

The idea behind the go bag is simple. If an emergency happens, you grab your GO BAG and... go. It contains items that help you survive until you can return home. Here's everything you need to know.

Think you needn't bother? Hurricane preparedness isn't the only reason you need a GO BAG. You may need to flee your home to find new shelter at a moment's notice because of:

• Earthquakes
• Tornadoes or hurricanes
• Flash floods
• Wildfires
• Mudslides
• Ice storms
• Zombie apocalypse

The city of Chicago, no stranger to strong winds, recommends that each member of your household have their own GO BAG. If you're the parent of small children, however, you can use one big GO BAG to hold everything you and your children need.

Remember, the best kind of bag is the kind you can carry. Don't get a huge duffle bag unless you're very strong and can heft it. Also, you want a bag that will fit easily in your car. You don't want one that's so big you'll have to leave one of the kids behind to take it with you.

A hiking backpack with various pockets is your best bet. Make sure it's made from a strong canvas material and has a strap that secures around your chest. This will take some of the strain off your back if you need to walk a long way.

Also, look for a pack that has a water reservoir you can fill with drinking water. These are often called camelbacks.

Though many experts recommend having a three-day supply of water in your home in case of an emergency, running with that amount of water can be impractical, especially if you don't have a car. The alternative is keeping a device in your go bag that can turn water from ditches, streams, ponds and other water sources into clean drinking water.

Be warned, though. Many emergency filtration devices like these need to be prepped with drinking water before they can be used as a filter for yucky water. Be sure to read the directions and prep your bottle before clipping it to your go bag.

In an emergency, batteries may be in short supply, especially in a hurricane. That's why it's a good idea to put a lighting system in your GO BAG that can be powered by a renewable resource.

Here is what we recommend:

Water and light should be at the top of your list, but there are plenty of other things you should toss in your bag:

• Nonperishable food. Meals ready to eat (MREs) are a popular choice, but freeze-dried items work, too. Just be sure they're light, provide a lot of calories and protein, and have a shelf life of months, if not years.
• A good multi-tool that includes a knife, pliers, a can opener and other tools.
• Paracord, also called 550 cord, can hold up to 550 pounds and is compact, so choose it instead of regular rope.
• Carabiners: These metal loops with a spring-loaded latch have a million and one uses, like latching gear to the outside of your go bag.
• A whistle to signal others if you need help and can't yell.
• A poncho and a change of clothes.
• Your family's prescription medications for a week and copies of your prescriptions. You'll probably want to toss these in the go bag as you leave, since keeping extras in your bag will be impractical for most people.
• A small first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain killers and gauze.
• Personal care items such as soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and so on. Put these items in waterproof baggies.
• Your extra house and car keys.
• A warm blanket. Put it in a plastic bag, use the hose on your vacuum to suck the air out of the bag and quickly seal it to save room.
• A recent family photo for identification purposes, also in a plastic bag, to keep it safe from moisture.
• Cash in small denominations and coins.
• A regional map so you can find your way without a phone when cell towers and GPS are down or busy, or you've run out of battery.
• Paper, pens and tape to leave messages for others.
• A dust mask.
• Copies of important documents such as insurance information, IDs, proof of address and passports, all in a waterproof plastic bag.
• Your family photos and document copies on a USB drive. This one is optional, but I like the security of knowing I have some of my family's precious memories with me.
• Pet supplies such as a leash, collapsible water bowl and food.