ABBOTTS BLOG
Don’t Leave These 4 Items Out of Your “Bug Out Bag”
When you experience a natural disaster or severe damage to your home, there’s always the chance that you might need to evacuate yourself and your family. This is especially true as we approach monsoon season, a time of year that is especially hazardous for Colorado families and those in various other parts of the nation.
Due to the fear of being forced from your home at a moment’s notice, it’s always good to have a “bug out bag” of basic essentials that will help you remain safe while away from home. These bags often include items like a first aid kit, sewing kit, duct tape, drinking water, water filters, and other such items.
You won’t be able to carry everything, but there are a few items that often seem to get left out of a person’s bug out bag that you may need. Here are five that we would choose to take with us that you might not have thought of:
Important Documents
Depending on your individual situation and what happens with your home after a disaster, you could need a variety of documents. Though paper documents are always replaceable, it could take time to get copies of your records, especially since hundreds or perhaps thousands of people are trying to do the same. Documents that you should consider taking with you include proof of insurance, health records, birth certificates, mortgage papers, and loan documents. These are also helpful in proving your address, particularly in the event that your home was completely destroyed and you find yourself in need of assistance.
Cash
In today’s world, most of us rely on ATM’s and debit card transactions to gain access to our money and pay for items. In the midst of a disaster, you have no idea what might happen. Even if the banks are able to function, there’s a good chance that the ATM’s will be clogged up and purchases at your local stores could overload the system in some cases. The best plan of action is to carry enough cash to pick up necessary items. That being said, you must exercise caution because some people might be desperate, and if they know you have cash on you, they could attempt to steal it.
Whistle
The whistle used to be a mainstay when it came to safety. You’ve probably even seen it used in a movie. “If you get into trouble, just blow this whistle,” some family member will say. Although our society now often forgoes the simplicity of a whistle for more advanced technology such as alarms on our keychains and our phones, it’s always good to have a whistle to fall back on, especially if the items you would normally use run on batteries. Each member of your family should wear a whistle around his or her neck. That way, if they become trapped somewhere or in trouble, the whistle will be inches away so they can call out for help.
Can Opener
While canned foods seem like a great item to put into your bug out bag, they are simply too heavy to lug around. That’s why it is typically recommended that you carry freeze-dried food instead. However, if you reach a point where you’re scavenging for food or come across someone who has canned food stored up and is willing to share with you, having a can opener handy will help. It won’t take up much space in your bag and you could find that it saves your life.
Every family or individual should have a bug out bag in case of a disaster. If you’d like to learn more, or if you’ve experienced damage to your home and are in need of an experienced cleanup crew, give the experts at Abbotts Fire & Flood a call. We are standing by to help you in your hour of need.
