According to new research, Americans are more likely to grab their mobile phone than their social security card during an emergency evacuation.
A survey of 2,000 adults in the US, evenly divided by generation, examined their most treasured possessions and discovered which items people deem most important.
The findings revealed that in an emergency situation, members of Generation Z are more inclined to take their laptop (35%) or a pair of shoes (35%) than their prescription medication (30%) if they only have five minutes to evacuate.
Generation X, however, is the least likely to prioritise clothing (33%), and would instead opt for family photo albums (43%).
Meanwhile, baby boomers are more likely to grab their jewellery, such as engagement rings or wedding bands, rather than water (21%) or food (17%) as they leave the house.
When asked about the most important item in their home (excluding people or pets), it became clear that Americans hold on to sentimental value. Respondents offered unique responses for the items they’d choose to save, including “the heart necklace that was my grandmother’s,” “the urns, [one] holding my husband, the other holding my son,” “the flag from my father’s funeral for his service in the military,” and even a “painting of a dog that my mum did when I was a child.”
To keep these items forever, two in five respondents said they would sleep on the floor for the rest of their lives, while 11% would willingly drain their entire bank account. One in five millennials would even forego marriage entirely if it meant they could never lose their most important items.
In a more practical sense, this may explain why nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) now take emergency preparedness more seriously than they did a decade ago.
The main reasons for increased preparedness include concerns about the rising frequency of natural disasters (48%), as well as the responsibilities of having a family (47%) and pets (36%).
The survey, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Master Lock for National Preparedness Month, challenged respondents to select items from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency preparedness checklist, alongside a few household items, in just 60 seconds.
If a natural disaster were imminent, and respondents needed to evacuate swiftly, a mobile phone with a backup charger and battery (50%), important family documents such as insurance policies and identification (45%), prescription medications (36%), food (36%), and water (33%) ranked high on the list of items they would take with them.
However, many FEMA-recommended items were overlooked, as many Americans would prefer to take family photos or albums (30%) rather than a first aid kit (28%) or a torch (28%), both of which are recommended by FEMA.
In general, laptops (26%) also ranked higher than a complete change of clothes (24%), a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person (21%), and sturdy shoes (15%).
The good news is that some Americans already possess these emergency preparedness items at home: torches (50%), first aid kits (39%), extra batteries (39%), soap, hand sanitiser, or disinfectant wipes (38%), and a manual can opener (31%).
Nevertheless, very few respondents had items like a dust mask (15%), local maps (10%), or a whistle (8%), all of which are recommended.
Whether at home or away, security is on Americans’ minds. When travelling, respondents worry about the safety and security of their home an average of four times per day.
“Oftentimes, there is little to no time to prepare when disaster or an emergency strikes. Nearly one-third of Americans would rather lose their home than their belongings inside and this underscores the importance of protecting what’s most valuable to you,” said Kevin Gannon, VP, Category Management and Channel Marketing. “Whether living in areas susceptible to natural disasters or looking to put an emergency plan in place, look to security and safety storage solutions such as safes, fire/water chests, and fire bags to protect your irreplaceable valuables.”
Not only are Americans placing more importance on preparedness in general, but they’re also giving priority to having an evacuation plan (86%) and security products in their home, such as water or fireproof safes (81%).
Nearly all baby boomers (90%) emphasise the importance of having security products in their home.
At present, Americans store their most important items in their wallet (24%), in a closet (24%), or in a drawer (22%), while just over one in ten Generation Z respondents hide their valuables under their bed (14%) or in/under their mattress (11%).
Despite this, 65% of Americans are now more willing to invest in home security items than they were a decade ago, to ensure the protection of their most valuable possessions.
More than one-third (36%) even admit they are the most prepared person they know, followed by their partner or spouse (14%) and their mother (11%).
“Results found that only about one in five people already keep their most valuable items in a regular safe inside their home (22%) or a water/fireproof safe (19%),” Gannon added. “With an increase in natural disasters and in overall preparedness, it’s important to ensure that the items you hold closest to your heart are safe in the event of an emergency.”
WHAT ITEMS WOULD AMERICANS GRAB IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY?
- Mobile phone – 74%
- Wallet/purse – 63%
- Birth certificate/passport/other documents – 62%
- Social security card – 56%
- Prescription medications – 43%
- Family photo albums – 41%
- Clothing – 40%
- Laptop – 31%
- Shoes – 30%
- Water – 25%
- Food/snacks – 25%
- My own jewellery (engagement rings, wedding bands, etc.) – 24%
- Over-the-counter medications (pain relievers, antacids, etc.) – 19%
- Toiletries – 17%
- Heirloom jewellery – 13%
- Gaming system – 10%
