Should you stay or should you go? Bugging out vs. staying home

Should you stay or should you go? Bugging out vs. staying home

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SALT LAKE CITY — When a warning of impending doom or disaster is announced families have to make a quick decision. Do we leave our homes to find other shelter or do we stay? That is the million-dollar question but there are many variables which will help decide what is best to do.

This decision should not be taken lightly. It’s a part judgment call and part inspiration. Consider these variables with your decision:

Hurricane warning: Are you located at the beach or low-lying areas or are you at a higher elevation? Hurricane watch lets you know that the weather conditions are favorable for a hurricane to occur. Hurricane warning means the storm is imminent and requires immediate action. Many times the National Weather Service will encourage state officials to declare an emergency and depending on where you live will determine what you decide.

Earthquakes and tornadoes: These are two of the few natural disasters that don’t have much warning ahead of time and that does not give much time to leave when touch down or eruptions occur. There is not much anyone can do but keep emergency supplies at home. This will help in the aftermath and clean up depending upon the devastation.

Tsunami: This type of disaster is coupled with earthquakes under large bodies of water and though there might be some kind of warning to leave quickly, there might not be enough time. Back pack emergency kits are helpful here and can make the difference in comfort for the first few days of survival.

Other disasters might include mud slides, snow storms, volcanoes and civil unrest. These kinds of disasters will catch you off guard if there are not emergency supplies already on hand.

Of all the emergency preparedness discussion there is online or at meetings, bug out bags (or emergency kits formally called 72-hour kits) are the most talked about items. There are so many kinds of emergency kits and lists of what is considered most important to pack, so there needs to be some time in study and thought for each particular situation.

Of course, food and water are the first in essentials but also consider other items. First aid kits, extra change in clothes and shoes, toiletries and towels. If you have babies, young children or elderly they have their own list. Medicines, sleeping bags and battery-powered radios. The list goes on and on which is why leaving home must be carefully considered. Remember you cannot take everything with you.

If there is transportation, then you can pack more. If you have to walk, then you have very limited space. You can find complete lists on emergency kits on the Internet and with many emergency preparedness organizations.

Some families pack their emergency kits in individual back packs for easy transport on foot. Some use small tubs or five-gallon buckets. These are not as easy to carry but store well at home and in the car.

There are also transportation issues to consider like how far can you travel on one tank of gas? If filling stations are down you won’t be able to refill your tank and you will be stuck. A good road trip plan can help to make it to your destination but consider mass traffic and refill stations.

Also know that once you leave home when a disaster strikes and clean up begins, national guards or military might not let you back into your own home even with proof of identification because of a safety issues. You might have to take shelter elsewhere.

By the same token if emergency agencies declare a state of emergency and tell the public to stay home, then by all means stay home. A heavy snow storm would fit in this category.

Preparing for any emergency can be difficult if we are not sure what we are preparing for. All of these disasters have occurred over the last 10 years and disaster planning has been tested all over the country. Plan for several options and keep supplies in an easy access place at home. You will be glad you did.


Valerie Steimle is the mother of nine children who lives happily on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. She is the author of five books, all about strengthening the family, including "Thoughts from the Heart." Email: valeriesteimle@yahoo.com

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