Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

15 minutes to grab essentials - what would you take?

184 replies

Papergirl1968 · 03/08/2019 18:12

I hope this isn’t insensitive in light of Whaley Bridge, but it got me thinking, if I was in a similar situation, what would I grab in 15 minutes?
I wouldn’t have left without dcat. Otherwise precious photos, (adopted) dds’ memory books, camera and iPad as there are further photos on those, a few clothes. I’m not very materialistic so don’t have much jewellery or stuff like that. Passports, birth certificates, school exam certificates etc if I had time.
What would you grab?

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 04/08/2019 08:19

Another option for documents is to scan everything and then email it to a web based account eg gmail so you can then recover online.

fitflopqueen · 04/08/2019 08:22

I live in this flood zone. I tell you now any lists go out the window! I was out at an event all day Thursday, saw some bits about road closures. My son and neighbour were home so didn’t think too much of being directly affected as had no message from either. Police told me that all had been evacuated from the lower half of our road. Had to sign a disclaimer about danger and it was scary. Was advised to be very quick, this was before the 15 minute get your life stuff announcement. Woke son, grabbed pjs, wash bag, pants and laptop. Cat was home outside, dog came -only got collar/lead. That was it- left.

RedElephants · 04/08/2019 08:33

MrsTerryPratchett
What do you keep in a 'go'bag, never thought of this before this thread, really interesting.

Biancadelrioisback · 04/08/2019 08:36

Other than DS, DH and dog, my favourite thing in my house is my sofa. Not sure I could being that with me though.

In all seriousness, I'd grab mine and DHs childhood teddies, phones, chargers, DSs special teddies, a couple of changes of clothes and passports if I could find them. We've not long moved in here and still have baby books buries in a box in the garage.

pseudonom · 04/08/2019 08:45
  • Dog/cat *The four packed suitcases I have sitting in the hall!!! ((Cheating, but we go away tomorrow)
  • document file
  • Passports
Sux2buthen · 04/08/2019 09:10

Ten minutes nap time then grab kids if they are being good

Whatthefoxgoingon · 04/08/2019 09:18

We have go bags for each member of the family downstairs which can be grabbed on the way out in literally seconds.

I keep all important documents in the study. That and any jewellery/watches I find. And the dog of course. Probably be able to be out in 5 mins. Only because we have essentials ready packed.

UrsulaPandress · 04/08/2019 09:19

Dog
Handbag

My whole house is one big memory box

Jackreacherismyhero · 04/08/2019 09:20

We were evacuated from Whaley and we took the dog who had been locked in alone for 24 hours as we were at work when we were evacuated and the dog walker had just put her back so she was stuck. Passports, my memory box from my dad, wedding box, house insurance information, an album of photos we can't replace and a change of clothes.

fussychica · 04/08/2019 09:37

So sorry for those of you affected by this it must be really awful, especially the uncertainty. Flowers. Hope your homes are all ok when this is finally over.

nothingtowearever · 04/08/2019 09:40

My LV bag. My special jewellery. Probably some snacks. Phone/phone charger. Purse.

nothingtowearever · 04/08/2019 09:41

Oh and hot water bottle, eye mask, earplugs and some Hp books.

gonewiththepotter · 04/08/2019 09:49

My cat!
My husband!
Laptop
Phone
Handbag
Shoes
Wedding Album
Change of clothes

Out the door - listed them in order of preference so would eliminate from the bottom dependent on time

DefinatelyAWeeGobshite · 04/08/2019 09:59

Husband, kids, clothes, medication, handbag. I think all paperwork we have could be replaced or it’s online, I have all my pictures backed up but would have my phone, I wear all the jewellery I own (two rings and a watch) and we don’t have any pets.

Jackreacherismyhero · 04/08/2019 10:02

It turns out DH also picked up the teddy my got me when I was born as it was out of its usual box and he knew I'd be heartbroken if it was lost.

MhysaMhysa · 04/08/2019 10:08

How do you transport a snake in an emergency?

A breathable pillow case would do her just fine, but I have a transportable carry box in a cupboard under her tank, so in an emergency I'd go with that.

LauraKsWhiteCoat · 04/08/2019 10:09

Just watching the news... one of the people who had been home to collect 'essentials' in 15 minutes, was pictured walking away with a suitcase in one hand and a child's scooter in the other.

A child's scooter?

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 04/08/2019 10:17

Assuming DP had DD safely in her buggy, I’d grab:

Passports
Cat, stuffed into carrier
DD’s 3 identical but irreplaceable dollies
DD’s glasses and hearing aid
My glasses
Contact lenses and solution
Medication
Phone
iPads
Kindle
Chargers
Mooncup

AllTheUserNamesAreTaken · 04/08/2019 10:35

Ddog (like hell would I leave the furry lump), documents, some of DC’s soft toys (especially the one he’s had since he was 4 months), some of DC’s old school work, MIL’s wedding ring, my bracelet which belonged to my great grandma, the box of family history documents my grandma had,

Everything else is replaceable.

DH watches and my 2 x pair earrings if I had time.

After that some practical things if there was time, such as clothes etc

WeKnowFrogsGoShaLaLaLaLa · 04/08/2019 10:42

A child's scooter?

Said child has been displaced and is scared, it is their favourite thing in the world and you can carry it in your other hand no problem?

eternalopt · 04/08/2019 10:55

At Whaley bridge, they'd already left news reports say "People were allowed briefly into their homes to collect pets and essentialss* , but were warned they would be doing so at their own risk.
The controlled operation allowed one resident per household back into their homes for 15 minutes" so you've already got your kids with you and maybe has chance to think about what you've left behind that you really want to get/that you really need. Adds an extra question though - who do you reckon would achieve most in 15 mins - you or dh/dp? Who gets the 15 min pass?

Bloody horrific. Poor people

LauraKsWhiteCoat · 04/08/2019 11:02

Yes they knew they were going to be allowed back for 15 minutes so they would have had a chance to plan.

Like hell would i allow DH to do it! Just thinking about this brings out the control freak in me. I'd have a list, in order of importance - and would also remove the things from downstairs first, since theyre most likely to get damaged if the house floods.

Original poster
Papergirl1968 · 04/08/2019 11:45

I’m definitely going to get more organised.
The other thing I wondered was, would you actually go back to grab your essentials in the 15 min window? Or would you not risk your life and the possibility of leaving your DC without a parent if that dam burst?
It’s a hard one. I’d definitely go back for the cat if I hadn’t been able to grab him when we were evacuated. If I’d got him already, I don’t know. I really don’t know if I would. Perhaps the fact I’m a single parent would swing me towards not going back.

OP posts:
SkelterHelter · 04/08/2019 11:51

I've had a house fire and lost almost everything. The only things that mattered to me (aside from people and pets of course) were mementos from the DCs childhood, so scan pictures, baby mittens etc. Luckily that box was undamaged. The only things I felt sad about were some vinyl records which held special memories. It's surprising how unimportant little 'things' actually are when you lose them .

insancerre · 04/08/2019 11:56

I wouldn’t let DH do it
He would need 15 years never mind 15 minutes and then would still say he couldn’t find anything