What Would You Take?

[Dera]

Heading out the door in an emergency that might destroy your home, what do you grab? And will it be enough?

Be it wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, a simple house fire, or other disaster, it's something that is most definitely is worth thinking about and planning for.

[Random]

My Computer and Modom:P

[Divinorumus]

I wouldn't take much of anything replaceable at Best Buy. I'd grab the cat first, then my wallet and car keys. If time permits, then my box of photo and document backup CDs and DVDs (although I already keep a copy elsewhere of the important stuff), maybe a box of old photos and home video tapes (although already scanned and on the discs others havecopies of), and maybe my camera (although an insurance paid for replacement might be sweet ~ especially if I exaggerated a bit), and that would be it. It can all blow away except for the cat and the plastic money card. With those to things, I can be back to normal in 24 hours, ha.

[loner]

I grab my kitty and my external HD. :hat:

[Dark Skies]

Same here, make sure the cat got out then after that wallet/car keys. Everything else is either insured or unimportant.

[Mcnowhere]

Any living thing in the house, cats dogs etc. I constantly worry that I wouldn't be able to get them out if fire broke out. Then my pictures if I had time.

As for the computer? It can burn baby burn! The insurancy company would have to spring for a new one. :sasmokin: Anybody know how to start a fire where only your computer burns?

[loner]

...Anybody know how to start a fire where only your computer burns?

You`ll have to ask Topper about that one... :D

[Divinorumus]

Anybody know how to start a fire where only your computer burns?
Put a tall ungrounded antenna on your roof, connect it to your PC TV tuner card, and sit back and wait for a lightening storm.

[Mcnowhere]

Put a tall ungrounded antenna on your roof, connect it to your PC TV tuner card, and sit back and wait for a lightening storm.
Too technical for me Div. I couldn't climb up on the the roof either. :11:
So that's out.

[Judee]

Heading out the door in an emergency that might destroy your home, what do you grab? And will it be enough?

Be it wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes, a simple house fire, or other disaster, it's something that is most definitely is worth thinking about and planning for.

I've already been faced with that, and surprised myself. I took all my animals, (friends with trucks helped), and there were almost a thousand of them. People asked me, "But, what about your beautiful things in the house?" I answered, "They are only things." I also grabbed an album with pictures, and my address book. That was it. When it comes down to things, we are all helpless and naked. Friends are priceless.

[Mcnowhere]

I've already been faced with that, and surprised myself. I took all my animals, (friends with trucks helped), and there were almost a thousand of them. People asked me, "But, what about your beautiful things in the house?" I answered, "They are only things." I also grabbed an album with pictures, and my address book. That was it. When it comes down to things, we are all helpless and naked. Friends are priceless.
So true, so true. I feel the same way, they are only things.

Thank heavens you and your critters made it to safety Judee!

[Dera]

I've already been faced with that, and surprised myself. I took all my animals, (friends with trucks helped), and there were almost a thousand of them. People asked me, "But, what about your beautiful things in the house?" I answered, "They are only things." I also grabbed an album with pictures, and my address book. That was it. When it comes down to things, we are all helpless and naked. Friends are priceless.

Holy smokes! Are you a rancher? What kind of 1,000 critters do you have? You are truly to be commended for saving their lives. Yes, friends are a blessing indeed. Would you be willing to tell us more, such as what kind of disaster you were facing?

I raised the question without telling my preferences. Chauncey, the Yorkie Terror, would come first of course. After him, my photographs would come next. I wouldn't have thought of my address book! Absolutely essential! You are very wise to think of that. I have some important papers that I should really keep somewhere else, plus even maybe copies of them in yet another place. I've had two burglaries and lost all of my jewelry and some other stuff, none of which had any intrinsic worth to speak of, but a lot of sentimental value. I might grab a few little things the burglars missed or some gifts that replaced some of stolen stuff, depending on time available. Any life is the main thing--all else is really just stuff and can be replaced. Loss of sentimental stuff hurts big time, but can be survived.

[Random]

Do not have any Pets and all My Pics are on my Hard Drive :P

[Judee]

Hi Dera,

It was a raging forest (not brush) fire. The smoke was already billowing through the trees on the back part of our property when the sheriff drove up the hill and told us to get out -- fast!

We had sixteen thousand sq. feet of aviaries full of birds. We also had goats and three dogs. That day changed my life. You learn without thinking what is and isn't important. When it was over, I told myself that Hell was right here on earth.

[Delphine]

When we evacuated for Katrina, it was our third or fourth evacuation. The hurricanes before had turned and gone another direction, and we were able to return home the next day.

It does get old. We were going to stay through the storm, except some friends urged us to come with them. I packed a change of clothes and my guy took his golf clubs (he thought he might get a round in :veryhappy). And the cat.

Now, we have a dog to take. I guess I'd take my jewelry.

You all are right. You can go nuts trying to decide what to save.

But, WARNING...don't be so sure your insurance company will leave you smiling when it's all over. :31:

[Mcnowhere]

Hi Dera,

It was a raging forest (not brush) fire. The smoke was already billowing through the trees on the back part of our property when the sheriff drove up the hill and told us to get out -- fast!

We had sixteen thousand sq. feet of aviaries full of birds. We also had goats and three dogs. That day changed my life. You learn without thinking what is and isn't important. When it was over, I told myself that Hell was right here on earth.
How did you save the birds Judee?

A forest fire is a possibility here, as we are surrounded. A big one could wipe us off the map.

[Delphine]

It was a raging forest (not brush) fire.

Judee, Are you being warned that fires could start easily now...considering the drought?

[Divinorumus]

I have some important papers that I should really keep somewhere else,
Although original documents of value should be kept in a safety deposit box in a bank (which itself isn't a perfect solution if your town ends up under a dozen feet of water or burns to the ground), you can still scan them and send backup copies to a few relatives for safe keeping. I've already done that with all the family photographs and video I've accumulated and collected (and it's nice to share them with other family members at the sane time too). You can easily encrypt personal document backup discs you store elsewhere too.

I keep all of my important info such as insurance and bank account info and online account passwords and contact and address info on one of those flash drive key chains. It's all kept in a compressed and encrypted file. Your can't even view the list of files without a password. It's handy to have, for example, your Ameritrade info with you when you're a thousand miles from your home computer and the market begins to show signs of an imminent crash before you can get home to SELL, SELL, SELL! Ha. Keep some photos of your home and valuables on them flash drives too, it can help with insurance claims (can you make a list of all your valuables from memory and not forget something, particularly during emotional distress?). "Seriously Mir Insurance Man, I really did have a Picasso hanging over the fireplace that burnt my home down. Look at my photographic evidence, and trust me, that picture of my luxurious living-room is not photoshopped. Now pay up!" Ha.

[VOguy]

We have several hand carry safes, inside the big safe, which contain all our "important" stuff. If we have to bug out, along with the kids and cats, we have the important stuff.

[Judee]

How did you save the birds Judee?

A forest fire is a possibility here, as we are surrounded. A big one could wipe us off the map.


Word went out throughout the community, and people showed up with trucks, cages, etc. We were throwing birds into anything and everything we could, even live animals traps, just to get them out.

Are you in B.C. or Alberta? I know that forest fires in B.C. are getting worse and more frequent. It's a scary thought. I hate fir trees now.

[Judee]

Judee, Are you being warned that fires could start easily now...considering the drought?

Yes indeed. In summer, you sit on pins and needles hoping some moron doesn't drive by and throw a cigarette into the treed areas. People are so thoughtless. But yes. Even in winter now, it can get quite dry. It never used to be like that.

[Mcnowhere]

Word went out throughout the community, and people showed up with trucks, cages, etc. We were throwing birds into anything and everything we could, even live animals traps, just to get them out.

Are you in B.C. or Alberta? I know that forest fires in B.C. are getting worse and more frequent. It's a scary thought. I hate fir trees now.
BC, North Van Isle, Judee. We haven't had any significant forest fires up here for quite a few years. But I've seen some big ones in my time. Nothing that has threatened our community, but that's just luck as far as I'm concerned. Every summer the logging industry closes up shop due to dry forests for a week here and there over the season. When the lawns go brown, I think about how threatened we could be.

[Alpha]

Great thread that really makes one think!! :yup: :yup:

This reminds me of just how unprepared I am for some major tragedy like this and I had better get organized.

Like most of you, I would ensure that my family, both human and furry would be safe.

Then, I would want to take all the things that have heart value that $ can not replace: those special gifts, cards, photos...and of course my HDs ;)

Important documents are a must as well....guess we all should have a plan and have these things in one place.

Judee, Delphs, Dera....I am sorry for your experiences...I can't even imagine.

I'm glad that you all got through it o.k. :hug:

[Judee]

BC, North Van Isle, Judee. We haven't had any significant forest fires up here for quite a few years. But I've seen some big ones in my time. Nothing that has threatened our community, but that's just luck as far as I'm concerned. Every summer the logging industry closes up shop due to dry forests for a week here and there over the season. When the lawns go brown, I think about how threatened we could be.

Wow. :wave: That is so neat, as I want to move to Vancouver Island someday! Has it changed much? I remember when I was young, it didn't seem like the forests got dry like they do now, except up in the interior of B.C., and that's always been that way. They've always had fires up around Kamloops, Penticton, and further north. I lived in Laidlaw, B.C. when I was very young. (Ha! Look that one up if you can find it!) What's the cost of living like in B.C. these days? Anyway, they've ruined Vancouver as far as I'm concerned, that's why I'm thinking of the Island. I love nature and privacy -- can't stand towns or cities! My sister lives in Toronto, but that's too (brrr) cold and too insane for me!

[Judee]

Great thread that really makes one think!! :yup: :yup:

This reminds me of just how unprepared I am for some major tragedy like this and I had better get organized.

Like most of you, I would ensure that my family, both human and furry would be safe.

Then, I would want to take all the things that have heart value that $ can not replace: those special gifts, cards, photos...and of course my HDs ;)

Important documents are a must as well....guess we all should have a plan and have these things in one place.

Judee, Delphs, Dera....I am sorry for your experiences...I can't even imagine.

I'm glad that you all got through it o.k. :hug:

It never hurts to be a 'little' prepared Alpha. I now keep a list in my top desk drawer of things to grab. When you have a dire emergency, your brain doesn't work at all, and you're liable to forget something critical. I also keep the dogs leads all on one hook in the laundry room. That's about all I have in the way of 'preparation'. I also went around the house taking pictures of everything, and put them in my safety deposit box (not that the insurance company wouldn't fight about everything anyway). Unfortunately, with earth changes increasing almost monthly, I think we're all in for a bumpy ride in the future!

Thanks for your kind thoughts Alpha.

[Project]

my oldest guitar, my solar panel, laptop and camping bag (prefilled with all the normal survival stuff).

In a pinch, just the camping bag :(