What is included in an anxiety suitcase: a list of essentials
23 August 2024 13:27
The concept of an “emergency suitcase” came into the lives of most Ukrainians with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, when, fearing to lose their homes, people began to pack bags with documents, food and the most valuable things they were taking with them to the shelter. However, many Ukrainians do not even think about the fact that an anxiety suitcase can sometimes save your life. Read the article by Komersant uikrainskyi
to find out what you should pack in an emergency suitcase
What is an anxiety suitcase?
An emergency suitcase is a basic set of things you need to survive in the event of various kinds of emergencies, including natural disasters and the aftermath of military operations. The emergency suitcase is designed to provide you with basic items that will help you wait for rescuers to arrive or safely evacuate from an emergency zone or active war zone.
The contents of the suitcase may vary depending on the purpose and conditions of its use, but as a rule, it is a complete bag or backpack weighing up to 20 kg that can be easily carried with you. However, there are a number of things that should be included in your emergency kit, as they will help save your life, and sometimes the lives of your pets and children, in the event of an emergency.
What should be in an emergency suitcase?
It should be emphasised that the components of an emergency suitcase depend on whether the family has children, pets, people with chronic illnesses, etc. In addition, the recommendations for packing a care package may differ from country to country. For example, in the United States and Canada, it is customary to have three different suitcases: at home, in the car, and at work.
The components of a suitcase are divided into mandatory items that must be included in every suitcase, and additional items that depend on the conditions of use, family composition, and a number of other circumstances. As a rule, an anxiety suitcase includes the minimum required food, medicines, a change of clothes, as well as cash and documents.
An emergency suitcase for adults
Employees of the State Emergency Service and UNICEF advise to pack the following items in an emergency suitcase for an adult
- originals and copies of documents, which should be placed in a separate plastic bag;
- credit cards, cash and keys;
- phone, charger and power bank;
- a flashlight and a supply of batteries for it;
- a mini-radio with a supply of batteries or a mobile phone with a radio function;
- mechanical watch;
- whistle;
- multitool (universal knife) and adhesive tape;
- a change of clothes and shoes;
- hygiene products, including a toothbrush and toothpaste, a small bar of soap, a towel, toilet paper, several packages of dry and wet wipes, intimate hygiene products, a razor, a manicure set;
- a first aid kit with bandages, adhesive plasters, iodine, cotton wool, activated charcoal, as well as fever-reducing and intestinal infection medicines;
- long-term storage food and water supplies for at least two to three days.
Anxiety suitcase for children
Children should have a separate emergency suitcase in which to place
- copies of documents and a bracelet with the child’s data and parents’ contacts
- a family photo;
- a change of clothes, underwear and shoes;
- power bank
- flashlight and batteries;
- water, snacks, baby food (for babies);
- medicines that the child takes;
- favourite toy, notebook, pencils or markers.
Anxiety suitcase for your pet
Your pet should be placed in a special carrier, which should be used to put
- documents (if any);
- a personalised collar with the owner’s data, a leash, a muzzle
- food, water and medicines for two to three days;
- a favourite toy.
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Basic first aid kit for a family with a child
When preparing a first aid kit, it is first and foremost necessary to take into account the presence of chronic diseases and include medicines necessary for first aid. The SES and UNICEF advise to include the following medicines in the first aid kit
- antipyretic/analgesic: paracetamol or ibuprofen (syrup for children and tablets for adults);
- vasoconstrictor nasal drops for children or spray for adults;
- rehydration solutions;
- alcohol-free antiseptic (e.g. chlorhexidine);
- allergy remedies: internal (tablets, syrup, drops) and topical (ointment, gel);
- eyewash drops;
- cotton wool, cotton swabs and sponges;
- scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, liquid soap;
- cooling pack;
- gauze bandage 5 cm wide;
- gauze napkins;
- roll and waterproof bactericidal plasters of different shapes and sizes;
- sterile syringes of various sizes.
Thus, having an emergency suitcase is a necessary step to ensure your own safety and the safety of your loved ones in the event of an emergency. When packing a suitcase, you need to take into account the specifics of your family, your health status, children and pets.
Among the most important things are a basic set of documents, medicines, food and communication equipment. An emergency suitcase should contain everything you need to be able to quickly evacuate in an emergency and provide yourself and your loved ones with everything they need to survive for at least a few days.
The author: Olya Yushko
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