Help! What one or two objects would you grab in a fire or flood?

We read stories of fires and floods erupting fast, engulfing homes and people rushing to escape safely and save themselves and their pets, babies or elderly parents who might be living with them or visiting. But if you had one extra second to think and grab one object or maybe two, what would it be? We asked friends and family.

Here’s a tip before we start and heaven forbid it might happen. Because we often keep our most precious belongings scattered around our homes or locked in a heavy safe that would be hard to tote, maybe we all should set up a “fire” or “flood” station in an obvious spot near an exit door to safeguard these possessions in a backpack rather than hide them away at the back of a closet or under a pile of clothing.

Here’s what several shared, including our own takes on what we’d grab:

Barbara: I’d want to take my inherited family Steinway baby grand piano but since I couldn’t quickly disassemble the legs and carry out the case, I’d take one of the two needlepointed piano cushions my mom stitched for its chairs back in 1955, along with a miniature version of the piano in one of my two dollhouses, my cell phone that’s almost attached to my hip and the first book I published in 1978, which now is out of print, along with its publishing house, Scribner’s.

Margaret: I’d grab my home safe, which contains my important papers, jewelry, keys, passport, and other precious items, such as certain photographs, and then I’d run and grab my laptop iPhone, iPad and purse in which I’d toss all my medications.

Chris: Definitely, wife Nancy, followed by our dog Baxter. As for material stuff, our Macs and our family picture flash drives.

Jeff: My wife.

Emma: I would grab my partner Q. and our two cats; that is, if we could find the cats who would undoubtedly be hiding because of the fire.

Susan: I’d have a “to go” backpack already packed with the following: a flash drive with precious photos, a week’s worth of meds, appointment book, cell phone, laptop with my own book on it, wallet and passport/birth certificate to prove I’m a U.S. citizen.

Gilda: After my family and puppy, family photographs (some are more than 100 years old).

Jill: I think most people say photos, and there were times in my life that I would have said that too. I would be heartbroken to lose them, especially those of my parents and grandparents, oddly enough, more than those of my children. I have worked to distribute photos to my children, so they have a record of their childhoods. My driver’s license so I can begin to rebuild my life. My favorite bracelets passed down from my mother. Vintage patchwork quilts that my great aunt made? Letters from my parents? My own journals? All beloved and irreplaceable. But maybe it would be my pillow because when I climb into bed at night, I experience an enormous sense of calm and safety by lying on a pillow I’ve had since my 20’s. What do you need after you have lost all your material possessions but still have your life? A sense of safety. Who knows?  I’d probably dash out the door without taking a thing! I’d be trying to save my life. That’s my most valuable possession. In the end, it’s liberating to not feel too tied to one’s material things. 

Liz: This question is easy because the only thing that really matters to me is life, so I would take my husband out of the house immediately because, being in a wheelchair, it would be hard for him to do it himself!

David: We would take (ROCKY, our fabulous cat) as a last-minute decision. We've had Rocky for about two years, and he gives us pleasure day after day.  He sleeps with both of us and interrupts me while I'm reading. He has been a welcome addition to our household.

Susie: Anything in the house that breathes.

MS: Framed family photographs.

Erik: My wife.

Aleksia: Jewelry handed down from my mother.

Eliah: A bag of supplies and natural products I use, and my durable basketball shoes that I’ll need to run and jump.

David K: I would grab Debbie (my partner) and run to the safest place I could find.  As to one thing, I would grab my digital equipment along with a power cord. In reality, I would also grab my meds—not sure which would be first.

Lucy: There was a fire in a prior home we were renting. I just had a baby, so I grabbed him and my phone and rushed outside in winter without shoes. I was sitting in a police car and asked a good friend to bring me some shoes.

Sally: My purse….because my wallet is in there with ID’s and credit cards. Everyone would need those in an emergency. After my purse…..My animals….And any and all pictures I could carry. My phone is usually either on me or in my purse.  

Andi: My dog!

Kathe: I guess time is a major factor, and I’m assuming that there would be very little time to grab much. My first choice would be family photo albums and then vital paperwork such as passports, license, medical info and medications. An antique and favorite Victorian necklace that my daughter bought would also be a possibility if time permitted. My cell phone and charger would also be vital to keep up communication. Most items in life can be replaced, but the memories of family documented in photos are irreplaceable.

Rena: I'd grab my purse and my dog. 

Sally F: (Whose home was burned, not to the ground but with major damage, in a California wildfire). I can tell you what I did take…every picture album I could carry out the door and then some, because everything else can be replaced. One of my close friends lost her entire home in the Palisades Fire; the one item she mourns the loss of is all the pictures of family and friends…so I’ve been finding pix I have of her and her family to surprise her.  We also took the hard drives out of our computers and any important jump drives.

Debbie: My iPhone and charger. Most of what I need to survive is there: communication, meds, contacts. 

J.C.: First, grab my passport (kept in a locked drawer at home. Would I have time??) Second: grab my phone.

M: My purse, vital documents/cash and my already packed “go bag.”

Fire. Flood. Essentials. Most important is to get yourself and loved ones, including pets, to safety. It is also prudent to assemble an emergency kit now just in case disaster strikes in the future. According to the website, ready.gov/kit, here’s what it should include, which is a lot for one person to carry, so assemble in a large backpack or carry-on type suitcase:

·        Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)

·        Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
• And we add the documents of driver’s license, one credit card, passport or birth certificate, prescription medications, some cash.