How would you prepare to evacuate your house?

**Ilovesewing** · 07-10-2008, 12:15 PM

I live in No. California where all these horrible wildfires are burning. I don't live close enough to a fire to worry about it, but we see the smoke in the air (haven't seen the sun in two weeks) and we can smell it when outside. This week our temperatures have been 107-112 so I've spent the last few days tucked in the house trying to stay cool.

This morning I opened up my bedroom door and smelled smoke like there was a fire raging right outside my home. I can smell it throughout the house. So my thoughts turned to 'What if we need to evacuate?' I would not have a clue what to do, take, think about, especially on a moments notice.

What would you do if you received a knock that said to evacuate NOW? This happened day before yesterday - people ran outside and their car was already on fire. Obviously not enough time to grab anything (They ran a kennel and lost 35 dogs

DH wasn't amused and thought since they lived in the fire area they should have been more on top of things and known just what the fire was doing according to the fire dept. In other words, don't let your guard down)

So back to my question, which is really two:

If you received a knock on the door and were told to evacuate NOW, what would you do?

If you want to prepare to evacuate - just in case - what do you do?

We have a trailer and it is usually loaded and ready to go for dh and I. We wouldn't have much food in there, a few staples, but there are stores.

So, be specific and help tell me how to prepare to evacuate. What do I need to take? What do I do before I leave my home for what may be the last time?

**HisDaisy** · 07-10-2008, 12:48 PM

If I thought that I would have evacuate, I would start collecting irreplaceable item in a box or two.
Some of the items I would put in the box are my photo albums, laptop computer, external hard drive, any important papers such as passports, insurance policies, and any family heirlooms.
Specifically for me have a few dolls, some jewelry, and a couple afghans that were given to me and have specially meaning.
I would probably also pack a suitcase with a few days worth of clothing.
I wouldn't worry about food or most items that I own, because they are replaceable. Now if I had lots of warning, such as many people did during the Iowa floods, and had a place to store items, I would move out as much as I can.
However in case of wildfires where I would not have much notice, I would just have a few box and suit cases ready to throw in the car.

**sunshine** · 07-10-2008, 12:51 PM

We have bug out bags ready to grab and go at a moment's notice. (do a search for bug out bags or BOB's to see what to put in them)

Copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. We keep the cars always at least 1/2 full of gas.

We keep at least $100 cash (small bills) in the BOB's. ATM's and credit card machines may not be working.

Cell phone hand chargers in the BOB's too.

We've not had to evacuate here, but some of our friends came here this spring,due to flooding. They had less than 5 minutes to get out - it was a flash flood.

**sunshine** · 07-10-2008, 12:51 PM

We have bug out bags ready to grab and go at a moment's notice. (do a search for bug out bags or BOB's to see what to put in them)

Copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. We keep the cars always at least 1/2 full of gas.

We keep at least $100 cash (small bills) in the BOB's. ATM's and credit card machines may not be working.

Cell phone hand chargers in the BOB's too.

We've not had to evacuate here, but some of our friends came here this spring,due to flooding. They had less than 5 minutes to get out - it was a flash flood.

**frugalandsimple** · 07-10-2008, 02:17 PM

I live in an area where there's a slim chance of a major distator is going to happen so I don't have anything prepared. There's always at least a 1/4 tank of gas in my car.

**sunshine** · 07-10-2008, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by frugalandsimple

I live in an area where there's a slim chance of a major distator is going to happen so I don't have anything prepared. There's always at least a 1/4 tank of gas in my car.

I hate to be a doomsayer, but I imagine the people near ground zero on 9/11 thought the same thing.

we don't generally get earthquakes here, but had 2 significant ones in April. You just never know. . . it could be a chemical spill, a building fire with noxious fumes. . .

**scottVee** · 07-10-2008, 04:17 PM

Escondido, CA here, which was surrounded by flames in late Oct, 2007. We did evacuate one day, and it's a miserable experience. Oddly, the day before we had an evacuee stay with us ... the next morning there was no air to breathe and we all had to leave.

When the fires got crazy we put out the cat carriers just in case, and a suitcase full of clothes. We have key papers in a little fire safe in the closet by the front door, including my monthly backup disk. Files changed within the last month I keep on a memory stick. The rest of our stuff, including a home business inventory and massive stamp collection, we could only shrug at and figure either insurance will help or we'll finally get rid of all the damned clutter. Really. We just stared at it and agreed that it was just "stuff."

Just do your best to be prepared, but nothing can prepare you for the feeling.

**jamiet** · 07-10-2008, 04:19 PM

A few years ago, a huge wildfire swept through the community that I now live in (I didn't live here when it happened).
I've got friends who when told they needed to evacuate, went blank due to the stress and surprise.
Their idea was to have a piece of paper taped to the back of a door with a list of what should go. Just to get their minds back on track.
Having many things already in totes ready to go sounds very good.
Jamie

**Texasgirl** · 07-10-2008, 05:25 PM

Grab important documents, photo albums, couple of antiques that can't be replaced.
Clothes, meds, food for the animals.

This will sound sill computers.

Everyone has different needs and what is important to them.

**quiltergirl** · 07-10-2008, 06:33 PM

Our plan is very simple. Grab dh's hiking jacket (it has important papers and our master cd for the computer), the cat and my purse and run. Everything else can be replaced. If I'm alone without the car I'm supposed to run up the hill (our real danger is flooding) and when I'm to a place that's high and dry call my mother and let her know where I am. DH will check in with her as well and come get us. Anything more complicated than that I don't think I would remember in a crisis.

**angelbumpkin** · 07-10-2008, 06:56 PM

I say pack up important items...birth certificates, insurance papers, photos and such you wanna keep.

Extra cash at least $100 in small bills.

Medications and such you will need.

At least a change of clothes or two for everyone.

Snacks and water for everyone in case you need it.

**dcompton** · 07-10-2008, 06:58 PM

If I were in a place such as you are where the possibility of quick evacuation was a real and maybe soon possibility, I wouldn't just have those critical papers, backups, irreplaceable photos, and a few clothes packed and ready to go, they would already be in the trunk of the car -- maybe one top priority box. And I would have the meds, the cash, the cards, etc in my purse. I would probably collect the most important secondary things and have them boxed and ready to go. If there was time to get them in the car, great. If not, well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. And yes, the car would have a full tank. Always. I think I would also have some bottles of water and at least something to eat in a pinch (even as simple as crackers)and a first aid kit in there as well.

Be sure to have a backup of your important computer files and keep it current until the danger passes, even if you think you would be able to take the computer along. You never know.

**chettasmom** · 07-10-2008, 07:06 PM

Two years ago we had a massive flood in this area and only had 1/2 hour to evacuate before the anticipated collapse of flood walls near my house (they never did collapse but the water spilled over)..we quickly took every one of our old family photos off the walls and threw them in large plastic bins with lids,along with photos of my kids, and tossed them in the attic...gathered up our important papers that we keep in fire safe boxes, took my jewelry, our dogs and their food..and that was it. I figured that if we lost "stuff" it could be replaced..all but the photos.

**Persimmon Lace** · 07-10-2008, 07:34 PM

Get a backpack or tote for each person/pet in the family.

Fill it with the clothing, underwear etc, hygiene items, medications and anything essential they would need for at least a week. For the pets that means food for at least a week. These things go in the car now!

Next you need any documentation for your cars, house, insurance, birth certificates these can be the originals or copies, we store the originals in the safety deposit box and keep copies with us. Put these in your purse or a strong box you can pick up and take. Plus copies of your ss cards, you know all those important papers we can never find when we need them. I have them in a strong box that can be picked up and carried out the door.

Make sure your pets are properly identified with tags and vaccination tags. Our dog's collars also have the name of the vets on a label that is taped on with strapping tape.

You need emergency numbers, money in small denominations, everyone needs some change and bills in their bags.

Take your kids comfort stuff with you pile it by the door if need be but be ready to go if you have to during this time.

In the trunk of my car I have our bug out bags without food, that goes in later if we need to evacuate, I have a bag with just food in it. Keep the crates for any cats or small dogs you have where you can get to them. Know where your animals are, our cat likes to hide from us!

These are a few things you can do to get ready!

**Ilovesewing** · 07-10-2008, 11:25 PM

Thanks - you all have great tips!

We have a fireproof safe here that has videos, baby books, wedding pictures, and money in it. I also have a binder that I keep all of our important papers in: pink slips, wedding certificate, birth certificates, SS cards, everything we would want to grab. The safe is one of those huge gun safes that literally weighs a ton - it isn't going anywhere. Supposedly, all of our stuff 'should' be fine in the event of a fire, but you never know. If I had only immediate time I would grab the binder of important stuff and go.

We are not in danger of fire at this moment, but the whole state is very very dry so that could change with the flick of one cigarette butt or a lightning strike. It's good to think of these things!