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.
Anyone else prepped in such a manner?
