Three Things You’d Save in an Emergency
I’m not a doom and gloom naysayer, but as many folks this summer can testify, floods, fires, and disasters are a fact of life. My heart goes out to folks who’ve been hit by disasters, and I feel lucky that I have time to create a plan. I’ve had to sit down and think about what’s actually important enough to save in case of emergency, and it was an eye-opening experience.
So today, I’d like to extend the question: what three non-essential things would you save in an emergency? Your family, friends, pets, and any medical needs are considered essential for this question, so we’ll assume you’ve already got those.
For me, I’d like to save:
- My bag of photographs. While I have digital copies of lots of these, there’s something about the crinkled and worn originals (especially the ones that go back a few generations) that’s magic for me.
- The external hard drive. It’s not so much the basic information, though that would helpful. It’s all years of writing, including the awful college poetry, that I would hate to lose.
- A pair of high heels. I know it’s ridiculous, but having something so frivolous would give me hope as I rebuilt and would be a physical connection to carefree times.
If I had anything that had serious heirloom significance, I would probably switch out the heels. At this point, though, none of that is at my house. Walking around and realizing that I had room to spare with a limit of three was a shocking feeling. I’ll be honest, it made me think two conflicting things: I’m so lucky to be so free, and Should I be concerned that I have nothing of value?
Well, I’ll leave the floor to you. What three non-essential things would you save in an emergency? Drop into the comments and let me hear your thoughts, or your stories if you’ve got any.
photo credit: futureshape
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This post has 42 comments
August 29th, 2008
Now this is a difficult question to answer, Sara.
After a little thought, I’d say:
1. My filebox full of important documents
2. My books (I keep them in storage boxes anyway, so a rescue would be easy)
3. Like you, I’d save my box of photos. There are far too many that I’ve not yet saved to the pc
August 29th, 2008
We have this saying about our house – we don’t need to lock the doors (really we don’t lock them – I feel very safe where we are) because a burglar would come in, take one look around, and leave! Nothing of value. Well…that probably a bit far-fetched, but I can relate to you Sara – walking around to find that of value. And, really the value is in the eye of the beholder. What you value, may be different from what I value. With that, here’s my list:
I would take:
1. My laptop
2. My coffee cup
3. My bike
August 29th, 2008
It’s hard to think, it is. But it wuold be more hard to think at the moment of disaster. I think i would grab anything that i can reach
August 29th, 2008
I’ll assume here my sanity would be an essential thing. I try to put myself in the place of those who have lost all their “non-essentials” and I know it would be very difficult even though I’m confident I could do it. Three things I would grab -
1. my small fire proof safe with important documents and hard drive with my backed up documents, photos, etc.
2. my bike.
3. my wallet – got to have that plastic for the rebuild phase.
August 29th, 2008
Thanks for jumping in to start the conversation! And I should have included that I’m talking completely theoretically. If you could magically reach in and remove three things in complete safety, what would they be? I know I certainly wouldn’t be heading to the shoe rack if danger was around the corner!
Scott: This one definitely made me think, too. I had to physically walk around my place and take stock of things. The file box is essential, but I like the photos and books are as much for the soul as anything.
Lance: You crack me up! And value is absolutely in the eye of the beholder. The coffee cup definitely took me by surprise!
Adam: Yeah, I don’t know how I’d actually react. I think in the moment, I would only care about getting people and creatures out.
Mark: You are a smart, practical dude. And I’d have to agree that sanity is an essential.
August 29th, 2008
1. My grandpa’s wrench with his initials carved in it. When he passed away we each got to pick on and I chose the 3/4 inch one because if I can be 3/4 of the person he was, then I’ll be doing great in life.
2. My box of pictures, some of them just can’t ever be reprinted or replaced.
3. My external hard drive- if its on here…its important!
August 29th, 2008
What’s with the hard question right before the weekend?
1. My laptop. I think I have everything backed up on a remote server, but you can never be too careful. I have most of my writing and artwork on there, anyway.
2. My grandfather’s work coat. He used to work in a lumber yard, and I still have his old wool coat hung up in my closet … it means a lot to me.
3. My Mom’s diaries. She gave me these two handwritten diaries from her childhood when I was a kid, and they’ve had a place of honor on my bookshelf ever since. I’d hate to lose those.
Other than that, about everything in my room is replaceable. I mean, there are one or two more heirloom-ish things I’d want to grab if I had the time and extra arms, but these are the biggies.
August 29th, 2008
Okay, after the family and the cats, my list is:
1. Boxes of photos
2. My dad’s wood carvings. He died thirteen years ago, and I have all the little bits he whittled that I’d hate to lose.
3. Laptop and camera. Okay, that’s four, but for me the two go hand in hand.
August 29th, 2008
1) my laptop (all writing, plus photos)
2) the scrapbook I made for my husband of our life together so far.
3) hmmm. i guess my marked up copy of the book i’m writing my dissertation on. 8 years of layered markings! i have had to staple bits of paper in there to be able to keep writing thoughts.
August 29th, 2008
1. My external hard drive with photos and iTunes
2. My scuba gear. It is too new to let go.
3. My Blackberry. (okay, I’m addicted!) Plus, it would give me a means to reach others.
Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone!
August 29th, 2008
Katie: I love the story of your 3/4 wrench. What a cool reminder of your grandpa…
Eric: Yeah, sorry for the timing… To be honest, I forgot we were heading into a holiday weekend. It’s got to be fascinating to read your mom’s diaries! What a treasure.
Gena: We’ll let the four slide.
You might want to make sure that some of your dad’s carvings are kept in other places (friend’s home, safe deposit box) so that if an emergency were ever to occur, you would certainly have those beautiful keepsakes left.
NeimanMarxist: I bet there’s a lot of you tied in that book! If you ever want to share what it is, I’d love to hear.
Jeff: Way to rationalize your addiction.
No, I’m joking–having a way to be in communication really is priceless.
August 29th, 2008
Wow, that’s hard because I have gotten my possesions down to only what is really important to me. So, I won’t think about it, I’ll just write the first three things that pop into my head
1. ALL my photographs, digital and good old fashioned
2. All my legal paperwork (driver’s licence, health card, divorce certificate, etc) because replacing all that would be a right royal pain in the butt
3. My espresso machine. I know, that’s an odd one, but there is a whole ritual the Lion and I have associated with our espressos. It actually does have sentimental value.
August 29th, 2008
Old photo albums and journals. But I have A LOT. I’ll save as many of those as I can.
August 29th, 2008
Urban Panther: I love that the things you do have, like the espresso machine, are so highly valued. I hope to create some rituals like that.
Vered: Photos seem to be a common thread for many of us. Coming from someone who’s not a “stuff” person, it’s clear that photos have more life and value than most other “things.”
August 29th, 2008
My children’s toys, my wife’s clothes, and my youngest son’s bike.
August 30th, 2008
Hi Sara,
Oddly, I was thinking of this not too long ago when fires were raging in California.
1) My photo collection
2) My hard drive
3) An heirloom necklace that belonged to my mother
August 30th, 2008
1. Travel diaries
2. Photos
3. The picture of a giraffe eating a butterfly drawn by a friend.
Everything else can be replaced. I like that I don’t have much so precious that I couldn’t bear to lose it – and if all else fails, I still have my memories
August 30th, 2008
1. My pets
2. My photos
3. My sanity (in other words, get out and stop looking for other stuff to save).
August 30th, 2008
Hi Sara. Good question! I had to think about this for a bit.
1. My USB Data Traveler.
2. That picture of my mom as a little girl with my grandmother (taken in the forties).
3. The cute little smiling purple angel I bought, oh about 10 years ago.
August 30th, 2008
Chris: You are such a good family man! Even if you lost everything else, you’d have a happy family.
Barbara: Yeah, we had fires here locally and it brought it to the front of my mind. It looks like our choices are pretty similar!
Sharon: “My sanity… get out and stop looking for other stuff to save.” That’s one of the best answers yet, and I love the attitude behind it.
Davina: Another vote for picture(s)! Those old family pictures are too precious.
August 30th, 2008
I would choose to save
1. My laptop – it has hours and hours of writing on it as well as most of my pictures
2. My Journals – Ive been keeping journals for almost 20 years now. They inspire me when I’m down. If I’ve lost everything, I’m pretty sure I’ll need them.
3. My favorite cooking spoon and knife – Yes, I know it sounds nuts, but These two things remind me of my mother’s hands. She used them quite often when she was alive, and when I would love to talk to her, I find I make something – just so I can use her spoon and knife.
That’s what I would save.
Great question!
August 30th, 2008
Reluctant Writer: I love that you would keep something that helps you connect with your mother; that’s beautiful. As for the laptop and the journals, I totally understand!
August 30th, 2008
Hmmm… Just three and the essentials are already out?
My harddrive – has : all our pictures (including wedding), all my writing, music, books, far to much to even think about how to regain.
My wedding necklace – completlely frivolous, but not only lovely, it was picked out by both hubby and my mother. I think its the fact they worked together that makes it so special.
And finally… my knitting bag. I figure if I’ve lost everything else I’m gonna need SOMETHING to keep me calm.
August 30th, 2008
Jenna: The knitting bag is a brilliant stroke–it really would help, I imagine. I understand the necklace; the husband-mother connection certainly makes it special.
August 30th, 2008
Hey, Sara … nice post … and, Happy Blog Day! You’re in my 5:
http://diversitymediaservices.com/blog/2008/its-blogday/
As for my top 3, that’s a hard one … but I’d have to say my laptop/i-pod (can that count as 1?), photos, and my CDs — music can get you through pretty much anything …
Have a great weekend … d
August 31st, 2008
Doreen: Thank you so much! I’m with you on the music–it’s a big part of why I’d want my hard drive.
August 31st, 2008
Hi Sara,
Hmmm. REALLY good questions that I should not only think about but actually take action on.
1. GINGER – my golden retreiver.
2. PHOTOS and letters and stuff. – Presently they are in several locations. I should prepare a box. Hmmmm.
3. I want to say some of my books as I love them like friends. But they dont fit in my “cannot be replaced” mind, so although my laptop can be replaced easily, what I have on it maybe not…so I might grab that.
August 31st, 2008
Hi Sara – I’m glad you’ve brought this up. I’ve been flooded before and I also used to own a fire and flood restoration company. Some people lose everything – it must be heartbreaking to lose all that personal stuff. And your post has reminded me to take care of those things.
1) A lady who worked for me kept everything of sentimental value and important documents in a waterproof and fireproof filing cabinet – I think I’ll get one of those, so that takes care of some things – including photographs.
2) Jewellery that used to belong to my grandma.
3) Computer hard drive.
It’s hard to choose just 3 things though, isn’t it? If I was in the house when it flooded I’d take as many things upstairs as possible, as soon as the water began to come in.
And I always advise people to try to avoid falling asleep downstairs. When there was really bad flooding in my area – 2 old ladies drowned to death – they’d fallen asleep on their sofas. It was v sad.
August 31st, 2008
Cath: Thank you so much for bringing some experience and hard-earned knowledge to the subject. I think the woman who keep sentimental and vital docs in a water/fireproof cabinet is a genius. I’m sure it’s obvious in retrospect, but by then it’s too late. Wonderful advice!
August 31st, 2008
Hi. Thanks for visiting and commenting on CreateaBalance.com! Hmmmmm…my 3 things….
1. External hard drive that holds all essential documents and our digital pictures (including scanned photos from past generations).
2. My cellphone/blackberry – only for the purpose of getting in touch with people during an emergency.
3. My box of special memories.
August 31st, 2008
I laughed when you said “a pair of heels”. Well, I’d have to say my laptop and all my hard drives and my car keys.
September 1st, 2008
Stacey: Looks like you’ve got it all covered: practical needs and sentimental ones, too. After reading Cath’s comment, you may want to think about keeping that special box up high in case of flooding.
Evelyn: Yeah, I hope all my credibility didn’t go out the window with that one, but it really felt right. And the car keys are totally important–a great reason to have a “set” place for them.
September 2nd, 2008
Sara,
Don’t know if I should be writing for essential things or the non-essential ones. I would include both.
The most important things would be:
1. My Passport: As I am living in different country.
2. My Document bag: containing all important documents
3. My Cellphone: to contact in emergency
And not so important things would be:
1. Wallet: to eat something out, to buy some clothes, etc
2. Laptop
3. Car, if possible
Thanks,
Ajay
September 2nd, 2008
Ajay: A document bag is a great idea, and would help you move quickly and efficiently if you ever needed to. Also, you make a good point about having means to eat out–food (more than just a day or so’s worth) is vital.
September 2nd, 2008
Thanks Sara,
Just thought that it would save time if I save the docs first…money is always imp.
Ajay
September 3rd, 2008
Interesting question – I’m not very sentimental and my photos certainly aren’t organized in one specific location. I guess …
1. External hard drive (can 2 count as one thing?)
2. Cellphone
3. I’m torn between my Ipod or clean underwear.
September 3rd, 2008
Kim: Dude! I totally forgot about clean underwear–that’s one of those psychological things that can just make you feel ready to handle the world. But between clean undies and an iPod–now that’s a debate!
September 5th, 2008
The last several years I spent living in a peaceful place in northern Thailand. My home was broken into two times (a month ago) and then I started receiving threats and blackmails (I was setup and they wanted money). I had a trip planned to the USA with my son (I’m a single mom) and we were on this trip when the threats became worse. I decided to not return. I had no idea this would happen, and I took only a single suitcase on our trip. I know now – for sure – what I would have taken with me.
THank you for your wonderful site. I am happy I found it!
1. My cat Tommy (my sweet cat who thinks he is my son)
2. Photo albums (all were left there)
3. My Digital camera or my computer (both were very expensive and I saved up for a long time for them)
———
So, now I am in the states – we are safe and at peace. We found a new place. In a way, starting over (with literally nothing) is a very good thing. It is a painful lesson, but one of growth. My relatives keep talking about how horrible it is that I left all that “stuff” and how I spent tens of thousands of dollars (I had a used BMW, 2500 dollar computer, flatscreen tv, etc. etc. – all “STUFF” anyway) but I just tell them it’s ok. It will be ok and it doesn’t matter. The only thing i really need is one small binder that has all our personal info in it – hopefully my old neighbor can send it. It’s amazing how life can force you to grow – it can be a little painful and scary but I know that great things will come from it.
September 6th, 2008
Holly: Thanks so much for sharing your story! I can’t imagine going through such an upheaval, and your optimistic attitude is simply amazing. You’ve got some true perspective to offer, and I’m glad that you’re willing to share it. In the end, even nice stuff is just “stuff,” and it’s the people (and creatures) who are top priority. Again, thank you!
September 6th, 2008
Hi Sara, Thank YOU for the response to my comment. I really love your website!
I love everything I’ve read so far – and agree with your thoughts on living in a simple way. 
Take care and I will be stopping by again soon!
September 30th, 2008
Having just written an extended article on 2012, I would grab my backpack filled with spirulina, swiss army knife and water purification tablets. This is assuming my husband grabs our three beautiful children.
September 30th, 2008
Somone: Perfect example of teamwork! I’ll have to go check out your article, since you’ve piqued my curiosity.
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