What would you save in a house fire?

[HowDoYouSpellThat]

Assuming loved ones/pets were safe and sound, what would you save from your home in the event of fire?

I was musing on this, as you do, on the Midlands line from Brum to London.

I think that many people, especially Gen X, probably have less 'things' these days.. photos, books, music all live online and are non tangible, so needn't be saved as they don't actually exist.

Are people still handing down heirlooms to children? Do we value objects like we once did or are they so easily replacable and abundent that we don't value them as highly as once before?

For me, it'd be my sketchbooks. They are irreplaceable (but utterly worthless!) and represent so much about the time in which they were filled.

Great response, thanks.
Sound can hold such strong memories. How lovely that you have this reminder of your grandparents. And also, a good clock is very useful!

I have a grab bag where I keep my passport, important paperwork, etc. I'd grab that and a piece of coal I hacked off the wall of the Gruve 3 mine in Svalbard.

I lost everything. I owned when I was 22 just before I moved to London and I haven't really worried too much about possessions or memorabilia since then.

And because the OP mentioned it, I am Gen X.

Theoretically if I had time
Car keys, handbag, bras (look they're expensive!)
I would say rings but I wear them all the time

When a firework got put in my window, I grabbed the cat and my car keys and ran so I guess they're my priorities

Kids and cats.

I think I will now put my passport in the fireproof document holder I've recently got - as while I'd like to think I'd pick it up probably with kids and cats probably won't - so give it a better chance.

Other than that - small item I inherited though 4 generations - not really worth much but only thing I have that remind me of my DGP who I saw every week growing up. I wouldn't risk my life for it or anything (might for cats and would for kids and DH).

If we were exiting through front door - I'd grab handbag on way out - probably partly automatically - likely phone in it and money and cards which could prove useful. If not wouldn't rush to get it.

When they asked the curator in the Louvre which painting he would save from a fire if he could only save one, he said "The one nearest the door."

Clothes and shoes. I honestly don't really have any other possessions that I'm that bothered about. But then again they can be replaced. So probably grab my passport and my bag and run!

My Gallagher brother Funko pops lol

If it was safe and I was exiting via the main door I would take my phone/charger, shoes, a coat, I have important docs in a fireproof bag by the door and the emergency kit backpack (I put this together after the talk of power cuts).

If I was being evacuated and had a few minutes to grab stuff. All the above plus my handbag, the box with family memories/heirlooms, a change of clothes and the magnets off the fridge.

Everything else is replaceable.

I'm surprised so many people are saying passports (with the exception of pp with a European one). They're probably one of the easiest things to replace.

I'd try and take the cats but they'd quite possibly run and hide and, as much as it would upset me, I'd have to prioritise getting the humans out and hope the cats made their own way out.

Other than that, my phone probably. Just because I have everything I need on there to sort out things in the aftermath.

I started keeping them at 16 so they go back years. They are all on a bookshelf!

The toy dog is more recent but would definitely be top of the list!

My orthopaedic shoes. They transform my life and I daily give thanks for the NHS

DC's soft toys. They are his "loved ones".

As much of my DC's school work and drawings.

Phone and wallet obvs!

I'm surprised so many people are saying passports (with the exception of pp with a European one). They're probably one of the easiest things to replace.

It's probably the counter signatory needed for replacements - (it's MN ) I think I'd have an option for that for everyone - but when we did the kids we used the schools and they did make it quite the hard process - actual passport bit was easy enough.

As usual, first post nails it!

I’d save the photo books I’ve made up of various holidays etc, and some pictures.

Passport.
Ds soft toys

I'm surprised so many people are saying passports (with the exception of pp with a European one). They're probably one of the easiest things to replace.

@DancingLions For id purposes and if you have to leave without bank cards/wallets you can still gain access to your bank accounts. Can make life easier following an emergency.

My handbag, as someone I know lost all their bank cards, ID etc in a fire and ended up in a horrible loop of couldn't get new ones as they couldn't post to the burnt down house they obviously weren't currently living in, but couldn't change her address or set up a PO box without ID. Think she eventually sorted it as the very kind postman took pity on her and took her mail to her new address.

All my important documents like passport etc are kept in a fireproof bag so only thing I'd take is my phone as it has access to everything else I need e.g. pay stuff with card in shops, banking apps, emails etc. Luckily my phone is next to me when I sleep so easy to make sure I grab it. Otherwise I'll be just saving myself.

Only me here but I do have animals, so once they are all safe, grab my keys and bag which as always in specific spots then im out that door

My family have all moved around a lot and no one really has much in the way of meaningful stuff, including me. But I did I have a mishmash collection of old family photos, bits that someone would pass on to me when they were clearing out for another move. Owing to a few decisions and life circumstances, if I live to be a nice old age, all of my loved ones will have died before me. About a decade ago I bought a few nice photo albums and sat down with this collection of photos. I did a lot of pruning. I organised them in to a story of my life, with the hope of keeping it by my bedside or chair when I am old, so I can dip into it and remember my life in the absence of these others. It's like a gift to my future self. So, if I could, I would grab these.

Also, perhaps sadly, my clothes! I've spent a long time putting together a beautiful wardrobe.

My laptop and my box of old family photos. There's quite a bit of wartime stuff in there that I absolutely treasure.

Oh! And my husband's medals.

My childhood teddies probably and my phone and car keys. I have lots of photos and sentimental stuff but really although I would be sad if I lost them it would be fine. As long as all the people and dogs are safe then everything else is replaceable.

A birthday card written to me by DM the year she died. And as it's all in the same drawer, probably our passports too. I keep meaning to sort out a fireproof box, I really do still need to do this.

I lost all of my childhood memorabilia in a storage unit fire which took place 6 weeks after I'd cleared mum's house following her death, so I don't have much in the way of sentimental items left.

I actually had a house fire in 2010 and all I could think of was getting children and the cat out. The kitchen was like a black hellhole but the rest of the house mostly just stinky smoke damage. Passport, jewellery, and stuff like that was in bedroom and all still ok. Once we got DC and cat out DH wanted to go back to get a few bits but I wouldn't let him. I was terrified he might go back in and get trapped and nothing we possessed was worth that.