In the face of an unforeseen disaster, would you and your family be prepared to run out of the house with nothing but the important stuff? But, what exactly is counted as important?

Where would these items be stored? Why should you even bother? Who should be placed in charge of its safekeeping?

1. Why should an evacuation box be prepared?

An evacuation box is a container that holds irreplaceable necessities you would want to take with you if you had to suddenly leave your home for good.

The box should be small enough to be easily carried yet large enough to securely contain all necessary items.

An evacuation box should be prepared because disaster can strike at any moment. An example timeline of how fast a fire spreads in a two-storey house indicates that in less than five minutes, the exterior is engulfed.

In this and in other similarly devastating and sudden circumstances, it is necessary to move as quickly as you can to save yourselves. There is no extra time to run around gathering your belongings.

However, you do not want to escape with our lives, only to discover you have lost everything that would help get you back on track.

Therefore, having the foresight to prepare an evacuation box that is easily grabbed and contains irreplaceable documents is a sensible action plan that you and your family can execute now.

2. What should an evacuation box contain?

In any household, there is plenty of paperwork and important documents. Sift through these and identify which you very certainly need to save even if everything else in your house is burnt to ash.

Decided which can be stored electronically versus those you prefer to have physical copies of.

Although your box holds only physical copies, make sure the documents you have earmarked for electronic storage are indeed scanned and saved in a secure electronic medium.

Some suggestions of paperwork to consider storing either electronically or in your box are:

• Identification: Copies of your MyKad, copies of your Malaysian Driving License, current and expired passports.

• Certificates: Birth certificates, marriage certificate.

• Insurance: List of insurance policies, copies of insurance medical cards.

• Financial: List of bank account numbers, FD certificates, details of loans being serviced.

• Contracts: House deed, car grant, last will and testament.

Besides the above which are mostly formal documents, there are some less formal but equally necessary items to consider adding to your box:

• Medical: List of medication (generic names, chemical names), medical instructions.

• Contacts: List of names and numbers of people you can reliably count on when you need help. Also the name of your insurance agent, investment banker, family doctor.

• Cash: Enough to last for some days before your emergency contacts can help you out.

• Irreplaceable mementos: A few tokens that you need for emotional strength.

Once you have gathered all the necessary items, place these in a waterproof container or backpack that will be your evacuation box.

It should be big enough for everything yet convenient enough for even a child to grab and run with. A sturdy plastic box with a well-fitting lid is a good option.

3. Where should your evacuation box be kept?

Keep your box discreetly in a convenient location. “Discreet” because you would not want just about anybody chancing upon your family’s personal details willy nilly.

“Convenient” because it needs to be somewhere easily accessed when you and your family are evacuating your home. Perhaps on an empty shelf in a cabinet in your living room, or just under a table beside your balcony door.

Think of possible evacuation routes within your home and find a good spot for the evacuation box. When your lives are at risk, every second counts.

4. Who should be in charge?

Everyone in the household has a role to play. As soon as your children are old enough, it is good practice to explain emergency evacuation procedures, which include grabbing the evacuation box.

Explain to your family that their lives are more important but when possible it is important to grab the box on their way out of your home.

Do involve your spouse, children, and other family members in your household when reviewing the contents of the box.

In this way, they learn what to add to the box e.g. new medicines, and also learn to appreciate the importance of grabbing the box in an emergency.

Together, the entire household can keep track of the important details and be better prepared for any emergency evacuation.

This article first appeared in https://mypf.my