Episode 556: Have a bag Packed

[00:00:14] Allow me to welcome you to Dreas Point of View. I am your host, Estrella. In the next 10 minutes or less, I will be offering you my perspective on a topic that I feel passionate about. I would love to invite you to follow the show at Dreas Point of View on IG, Pinterest, Threads, and Facebook. You can also follow me at Dreas Point on ExxonSpill, as well as bluesky at dreaspointofview.bluesky.social.

[00:00:40] Now, during hurricane season, or any other time when it's time to evacuate, it's always recommended to have a bag packed. You never know when an emergency may strike, so it's best to be prepared. Over a year ago, I'm sure you heard the story in Buffalo, New York, where people were trapped in their cars because of the snow.

[00:01:06] And they, a lot of them had nothing on them, nothing in their trunk. It's an underrated blessing to leave your house and come back safely, but just to be able to come back to it. So I thought that I would share a list of items to not only have at home, if you're able to come back, but have in your car as well.

[00:01:33] Many people had to leave their cars on the street during the LA fires, that everyone needs to have an emergency kit. The first thing that is suggested, because so many posts came out about things to have, and it made me even think. I'm like, okay, I do have some of these things, but some I didn't even think about.

[00:01:59] Because if you are rushed and have only a few minutes, you may forget something. So at least this way, if you have a list, you will know, okay, I'll have this, I won't forget anything.

[00:02:18] Or you may just get the first thing that you see. Okay, let me make sure I grab my pictures. You may not remember the important things. So I wanted to provide a list that I think everyone should have. The first thing that is suggested is to have a supply of water for three days. At least a gallon is advised per person.

[00:02:42] I'm thinking if it's just you, maybe a two liter should suffice. I'm thinking if you wanted to pack some in a bag to go. I can't imagine carrying around gallons unless it's in your car. Non-perishable goods like protein bars and dry fruit are always helpful.

[00:03:04] Once again, three days worth is what's suggested. A first aid kit is pretty resourceful. I just saw one at the dollar store. You don't have to spend a lot for these items. It's a long list, but you don't really have to spend that much money to be prepared. A flashlight is good to have, along with extra batteries. That reminds me, I've got to stock up on my batteries.

[00:03:34] I never thought to have a whistle. I know I saw that in a post. Someone said that they were getting something together for their kid, and they made sure that they had a whistle. Because let's suppose you're trapped and you need to get someone's attention. You know, you always hear about bodies being trapped under rubble, but if you have a whistle, but I would think you would have to wear that whistle around you constantly.

[00:04:02] But it's always best to have a whistle. Copies of important documents like passports, ID, and medicine. I mean, most of that, I know I have that stuff on my phone. Now, I was discussing this list with a friend, and I said, you know, not leaving or leave, yeah, without your phone and ID helps.

[00:04:27] Sometimes you're just going up the street next door, making sure you have those things. Oh, I forgot my phone. Oh, I forget my ID helps. Because I'm just trying to picture all of the restaurants and hotels that are helping these people in need, but they don't have proof that they lived in these places. So I'm hoping the people who are doing the providing show grace.

[00:04:54] But just imagine not even having that. No ID. Like most people carry it on them, but, you know, some people don't. What if they forgot it that day? Carrying a spare charger is helpful as well. This was on the list of items that were needed for the fire victims. And I never really thought of that.

[00:05:18] I'm like, they do need chargers because, I mean, how many of us on the average leave with our chargers? If anything, we may have our phone. We may borrow a charger from someone else. But, yeah, it never hurts to have an extra charger around. Having a small amount of cash could help just in case nothing can be processed electronically. I don't know, maybe a 20 have that in the house.

[00:05:49] Or just always have it on you. Or, like I said, I always say in the house, but maybe have a bag in the house and in the car. Or at least just one somewhere. You just never know. Your medications. That is one of the most scariest parts for me because I know when I travel and I see people checking their luggage,

[00:06:12] they always tell you to take out your medications because people, sometimes you tend to forget when you're rushed to do something. So, have your medications. Like, keep a small or an extra bag of medications with you. So, comfortable walking shoes. So, throwing a pair of sneakers in the bag couldn't hurt.

[00:06:39] Extra pair of sneakers in your bag, in the house, in your bag, in the car. Warm clothing. Throwing a sweater or an extra blanket in the bag. I'm just thinking about the people who froze to death in their cars in Buffalo. I'm sure a lot of, well, I don't know, but some of them, I'm sure, weren't prepared. They didn't have anything extra because they thought that they were going home.

[00:07:10] Personal hygiene items is definitely a necessity. These can be bought anywhere, any of the dollar stores. And I recently saw a post of how people, they're asking for hair care donations for Black women. And there was a debate about why we should be concerned with that. Well, it's part of our hygiene, our hair. Most of us don't wash our hair that often, so we need certain products.

[00:07:38] Oils and sprays and mousse. Yes. So, because one of the areas that was affected was a predominantly Black area. I wasn't even aware about that area until after the fact. So, it's like every day I'm learning something new about these fires. And I live in this area. Having a Swiss Army knife or any type of knife is always helpful.

[00:08:07] Now, this is a long list, but like I said, I have heard stories about people who grabbed what they could under pressure. And they forgot a lot. Of course, you want to grab pictures, but I don't know. I just think in a hurry, that may be the last thing on your mind. If you have a bag packed and mementos, you should be fine.

[00:08:33] Taking pictures of your belongings or having a video so you can at least have that much helps. I mean, memories can't be erased. You know, but there's nothing like being able to still look at something when you want to on your phone. For those of you with pets, there are things that you want to consider like pet food, the leash, carrier, and medications.

[00:09:02] It's a whole other monster when you get to look up to your pets. I saw this one story where the guy went back and they found his, was it a dog? I believe it was his dog or his cat, I believe it was. And he was crying because that's pretty much all he had. I mean, pets are like family to some people.

[00:09:28] So you definitely want to make sure that you have something for them when it's time to evacuate. If you have babies, you definitely want to make sure you have diapers, formulas, and such for them. It never hurts to have some masks in case you're stuck in a shelter with others. And of course, eyeglasses or contacts is another thing.

[00:09:55] If you can have a spare, that would be useful. What items would you put in your emergency bag? And do you have one? I'd love to hear about it at Drea's Point of View at yahoo.com. As always, I thank you for listening. This has been Drea's Point of View.