Most emergencies are best sat out at home. But floods, fires, gas leaks and chemical accidents can force you out at short notice, sometimes with only minutes to go. Sixteen of the 24 national guides we compiled recommend a grab bag (also called a go bag or evacuation bag), packed in advance and kept by the door.
The bag itself
A 30 to 40 litre backpack is enough for one or two people. A rucksack leaves your hands free for children, pets or a torch. Larger households need two.
What goes in it
Water and food
- Water for a day or two, and ready-to-eat food like ration bars, nuts and crackers.
Documents and money
- Copies of passports or ID cards, insurance papers, prescriptions and vaccination cards, in a waterproof pouch. Keep a digital copy too.
- Cash in small notes.
- Spare house and car keys.
- A list of important phone numbers on paper.
Health
- Personal medication for several days, plus spare glasses.
- A small first-aid kit.
- Masks, hand sanitiser, toilet paper.
Light, power and information
- Head torch with spare batteries.
- Small battery or crank radio.
- Phone charger and a charged power bank.
Clothes and warmth
- A change of clothes and underwear per person.
- Rain gear and sturdy shoes.
- A foil survival blanket each: they fold to wallet size.
Useful extras
- Multi-tool or pocket knife.
- Whistle: it carries further than a voice.
- Paper map of your region, with meeting points marked.
- Something for children: a book, a card game, a small toy.
Plan, not just pack
Agree on two meeting points with your household: one near home and one outside your area. Decide who picks up the children. Keep your car's tank at least half full: petrol pumps need power.
Check the bag twice a year: replace water and food, update medication, and swap clothes as children grow.