What Brits Grab First in an Emergency
A recent survey of over 1,000 Britons revealed that when faced with an emergency evacuation, most people prioritize sentimental items such as photographs, toys and pets over practical supplies. Only a handful are fully prepared with the government‑recommended emergency kit, highlighting a gap betwe…
By Felo News Desk · Published
When the government sends a midnight alert telling residents to leave their homes immediately, what will you reach for first? A new survey of more than 1,000 British adults suggests that most people would grab sentimental treasures—photographs, childhood toys, pets—rather than the practical items that emergency planners recommend.
Why Sentimental Items Take the Top Spot
Dr Anna Powell of Liverpool John Moores University led the research as part of the After the End Project, which examines how people cope with crises. The study found that photographs topped the list of must‑take items, followed by keepsakes, phones, jewellery and pets. “People feel that personal items are critical to their post‑disaster well‑being,” Powell said. “They want to keep objects that remind them of their identity and memories close during a crisis.”
Psychologists refer to this attachment as the “extended self” theory, which argues that our sense of self is built through our relationships with the world around us. A childhood teddy bear or a family photo album becomes more than a possession; it is a narrative of who we are and where we have come from. Losing such items can feel like losing a part of ourselves, which explains why they rank so highly in an emergency.
Government Guidance vs. Public Reality
In 2024 the UK government launched the Prepare initiative, urging citizens to assemble a 72‑hour emergency kit. The kit should include food, water, medicine, documents, cash, batteries, a wind‑up radio and a working knowledge of local emergency services. However, the survey revealed that only four out of 1,000 participants were fully prepared according to these guidelines.
Nearly a third of respondents listed photographs among their essential items, while many also mentioned books, laptops, ashes, diaries and even religious objects. The data suggest that most people are unprepared for a crisis and would resort to a last‑minute grab of whatever feels most important to them.
What the Survey Revealed
The research team compiled a comprehensive list of items people would take if they had to leave home immediately. The list includes:
- Photographs and photo albums
- Phones and other electronic devices
- Jewellery and sentimental keepsakes
- Pets such as dogs and cats
- Toys and teddy bears
- Books, tablets and laptops
- Rings, wedding or engagement rings
- Blankets and personal comfort items
- Letters, cards, journals and diaries
- Ashes or urns
- Religious items
- Coats, jackets and waterproofs
- Games, cards, consoles and notebooks
- Headphones and music players
- Artwork, paintings and children’s art
- Musical instruments such as guitars
- Baby or child care items
- Prayer materials
These findings echo earlier research that shows people who keep items from before a disaster can better cope psychologically afterward. For instance, survivors of the 2011 Japan tsunami reported that losing family photos was one of their greatest emotional losses.
What Happens Next?
The study’s authors argue that while practical supplies are essential, individuals should also reserve space in their emergency bag for items that hold personal meaning. “Heirlooms and everyday items from before a crisis become points of storytelling afterward,” Powell explained. “When so much else is uncertain, the small objects that remind us who we are may be among the most valuable items we can take with us.”
As climate change and cyber threats increase the likelihood of sudden emergencies, the government’s Prepare initiative and similar programs in the United States are likely to emphasize the importance of both practical and sentimental preparedness. Meanwhile, the public may need to rethink what truly matters when the next crisis hits.
Key facts
- Photographs top the list of items Britons would grab in an emergency
- Only a minority are fully prepared with government‑recommended supplies
- Sentimental objects help maintain identity during crises
- Emergency guidance should include advice on personal items
- Public awareness can bridge the preparedness gap
Why it matters
The study highlights a disconnect between official emergency advice and what people actually value when forced to evacuate, underscoring the need for balanced preparedness that addresses both survival and emotional well‑being.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Prepare initiative?
A UK government program that advises citizens to stock up on food, water, medicine, documents and other supplies for a 72‑hour emergency.
How many people are fully prepared?
Only four out of 1,000 surveyed participants met the full government recommendations.
Why do people prioritize sentimental items?
Because these objects reinforce identity and emotional well‑being during stressful events.
What should I include in my emergency bag?
A mix of practical supplies (water, food, first aid) and a few personal items that matter to you.
Can sentimental items help with recovery?
Yes, research suggests they aid psychological resilience after a disaster.
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Revealed: What Brits would grab if they had to leave home immediately”
