We have had different versions of emergency bags in our house for years, something we can grab and go and get out. Sometimes we really keep on top of them and other times we forget to update and restock them.
I was in Manchester last week and heard about a lot of people being told to leave their houses whilst nearby properties were searched and today I saw on the news lots of people have been evacuated from the area around the MRI and told they may not be able to get back in over night. Lots of people are stranded in their pyjamas without money.
This could be a gas leak in a neighbouring property or any number of things but I think it makes sense that people think about having a bag of essentials stowed somewhere easy to access that they can grab in such a situation and just damn well get out.
In my current bag (an old battered backpack): - Photo copies of passport, birth certificate, insurance documents for house, car, business, pets. - Dog leads and bag of dog treats - £50 cash - Jogging bottoms - knickers, socks and bra - vest top - light hoodie - pashmina - mini sizes of face wipes, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cream - tampons - 1 week worth of essential medicine - printed out map of local area - printed list of essential phone numbers - small wind up torch - folding scissors - phone charger - lighter - plasters, antiseptic wipes - USB stick with essential documents like will, mortgage details, family photos - Tissues - Packet of Jaffa cakes
This sounds like a lot but most things are tiny and the main bulk is taken up by the hoodie, there would be room also for a laptop if I had time to grab it. The clothes are paint stained and crappy and everything else is stuff I already had so it hasn't cost much to put together.
It is stored near the front door beind our waterproof jackets so both can be grabbed at the same time. My husband and I each have similar in a bag and as I have a big family I have tried to create two kids bags, one for the smaller kids and one for the bigger ones. They mostly contain age appropriate light weight clothes and a few suitable clothes along with £10 in change and some sweets. For the smaller age bag I have also added nappies, wipes and colouring books and pens.
We haven't had cause to use these but we have had family members left stranded after a disaster who had 2 minutes to evacuate and it has left me so worried. I know in a fire we would be unlikely to be able to grab these but in other situations I think there would be a possibility of being able to pick these up on the way out of the door.
Not a go bag as such but our campervan is always loaded and ready to go with pretty much everything on your list apart from copies of docs, but these are in a travel wallet by my bed so easy to grab.
That is such a good idea. DS had a seisure recently and was ambulanced into hospital. I grabbed a few nappies etc but a bag would've made things a lot easier. Definitely going to do this
Yes I've got one but it's much less comprehensive than yours! Mostly just stuff I'd like to save in case of a fire, plus passports and a change of clothes for the kids. Will add a bit more and make a bag for DH (the man who could happily live with a change of underpants and a toothbrush....)
Yes I have one - this started out of necessity as DC1 went through a period of hospital admissions and it was awful being stuck without deodorant / cash / something to entertain the kids with.
My rationale is more having to spend a night in a hotel / hospital / community centre so on top of the things you mention I have pyjamas, shower gel, towel and toilet paper. For the 4 of us it's still a very reasonably-sized backpack.
We used to when we lived abroad but haven't done anything since moving back. I do have a mental list though, so I might transfer that to an actual bag. Maybe it will free up some head space as that is at a premium right now
I have 3 go bagswith sleeping bags attached. Large rucksacks that are ready to just lift and run. Im going to do another for the car as maybe one day we could only get to the car. I have two downstairs and one upstairs for the youngest member to grab, its by her bed.
They have Have food, packet soups, noodles and some tins. Tin mug which can double as pot as can be heated. Foil blankets. Fleeces and thermals. Bottles of water and collapsible water carriers. Torches which are self winding and strong. Groundsheets. Medicines and a mutli tool with tin opener and scissors etc. Water treatment tablets Money and more...
I need to add Photocopies of my documents. Wide band/range walkie talkies. A tiny radio. Maps.
I have an emergency box in the boot of the car - a few tools, re-usable heat packs for hands, treat sized packs of jellies, torch, gloves, water etc.
I don't have specific bags at home - but if there was an emergency, I could leave within 5 minutes and have a reasonable collection of necessities. Wash gear for all 3 (we keep washbags packed generally as we travel a lot and I refill them on return from a trip not just before a trip). Spare 2 sets of clean clothes, weather proof coats/trousers/hiking boots, at least 2 sleeping bags and/or 3/4 rugs. Kelly kettle for cooking. Dried food or food easy to organize on the go. Passports and credit/debit cards, probably cash as well. Meds & first aid kit. Torches, firelighting kit, local maps/compass. Charging cables for hones. Notebooks and pencils/pens. All in a couple of backpacks.
Depends on the emergency what we would need - but we can get organized and out pretty fast.
I'm going to pack a go bag to be kept in the bedroom closet so we can just grap the kids and jump out of the window if necessary (we're on the ground floor ).
Some very good packing tips here so I'm going to make a list and start getting things together. Incidentally, does anyone exchange stuff in their go bags based on the changing seasons? I'm thinking some sun cream might be a good idea at this time of year but woollen gloves better during winter time kind of thing.
