Evacuation grab bag

A packed bag for each adult, ready by the door, with what you need for the first day away from home.

Why this kit

Sometimes you need to leave quickly because of a fire, flood or gas leak. A grab bag packed in advance means you leave with the essentials instead of searching for them.

Keep it light enough to carry. Add personal medicines, glasses, a phone charger and copies of documents, and check it every six months.

Kit contents

What is in this kit

28 items

Quantities are for 2 adults for 3 days, with 3 litres of drinking water per person a day (GOV.UK guidance). Some items are one per household; others grow with the number of people and days.

Adjust for your household

Amazon links for this kit are coming soon. You can still use the list to check what you already have.

Waterproof rucksack, 80 L

A large bag to keep the kit together and ready by the door.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Nalgene wide-mouth water bottle, 1 L

A tough, leakproof bottle for carrying drinking water, one for each person.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
SWIFTER collapsible soft flasks, 2 x 500 ml Optional

Soft flasks that roll up small when empty, handy for a grab bag.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Platypus collapsible water bottle, 2 L Optional

Folds flat when empty and holds 2 litres when you need it.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Still water, 24 x 500 ml bottles

About 2 litres each to carry. Buy sealed bottled water locally.

4 L in total: 2 L each for 2 people. 1 pack of 12 L.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Aquatabs water purification tablets Optional

Makes doubtful water safe to drink if bottled water runs low.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
yfood meal replacement drinks, taster pack of 5

Ready-to-drink meals with no preparation.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Wayfayrer ready-to-eat meal pouch, 300 g

A proper meal that can be eaten hot or cold, with no cooking needed.

3 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 6
Nature Valley Protein bars, 26 x 40 g

Long-life snacks that need no cooking.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Tuna chunks in sunflower oil, 4 x 145 g

Ready-to-eat protein in ring-pull tins.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Energizer Vision HD+ head torch

Keeps both hands free on the stairs, in the loft or outdoors after dark.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Amazon Basics AA batteries, pack of 12

Long shelf life batteries for torches, radios and smoke alarms.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Amazon Basics AAA batteries, pack of 12

Spares for head torches and smaller devices.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Anker power bank, 10,000 mAh

Charges a phone two or three times. Keep it topped up.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
UGREEN USB-C charging cable, 1 m Optional

A spare cable that stays with the kit.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Lifesystems emergency whistle

Attracts attention if you need help.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Reusable waterproof poncho

Stay dry if you need to go out or leave.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Lifesystems survival bag Optional

A windproof, waterproof bag for anyone stranded outdoors.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Lifesystems Trek first aid kit

A compact kit for a grab bag or car.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Compeed blister plasters, mixed pack of 6 Optional

For blisters if you have to walk further than usual.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Rite in the Rain waterproof notebook Optional

For messages and plans when screens are off.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Amazon Basics retractable gel pens Optional

Something to write with, kept with the notebook.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Cuticura antibacterial hand gel, 6 x 100 ml

Clean hands when water is short.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
WaterWipes sensitive wipes, 3 packs

Gentle wipes for washing when water is short.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Cleanwaste Go Anywhere toilet kits, pack of 50

Sealed toilet bags for when the toilet cannot be flushed.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
OverBoard waterproof document pouch Optional

Keeps important papers and contact numbers dry.

1 for the household.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 1
Vango Nitestar Alpha sleeping bag Optional

A warm, light sleeping bag for a cold night or a night away.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2
Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite SOL sleeping mat Optional

Insulates you from a cold floor.

1 each for 2 people.

Amazon link coming soon

Quantity: 2