Extra set of clothes ready to bug out

I want to talk about having a set of clothes ready to bug out. This is a full set of clothes including underwear, of layered clothes ready close to your bed in case you need to bug out fast.  These would include underwear, a sturdy pair of pants not shorts, with lots of pockets, a leather belt, a tee shirt and a long sleeve shirt with pockets and a heavy jacket, long socks, hiking boots, gloves and a stocking hat and a wide brim hat. This set of clothes needs to be by the bed at all times and something that you do not wear other times.  You can switch out the clothes at times for the season, but always have this set clean and ready in a bag with you 72 hour kit by your bed so that even if you are in the middle of a shower or whatever, you can grab and go outside to finish dressing.  For the children the same thing even if you have to get used jacket and boots. And make sure that the clothes are changed out when the children and you change sizes.  This set of clothes and your backpack need to be by your bedside or near the door in case that you need to bug out quickly for any emergency that may happen.  If you hear a weather alert such as a tornado, then you can quickly dress in these clothes and grab your backpack and you are ready to take off.  If there is a fire just grab these things and go.  It is a good idea to have fire drills at home where you would wake up grab your things and get out.  Then when the time comes that there really is an emergency you know exactly what to do, and do not have to spend time gathering stuff when you should be getting out. Having the children also practice this then when you need to do it for real they are not just in shock, standing paralyzed screaming.

This act of setting clothes aside and a backpack will greatly reduce fears of ‘what if’. Being prepared decreases stress. Discussion of what to put into the backpack in another blog but this one I just want to stress having these clothes set aside and ready to go at a moments notice.  Imagine when you are notified of an evacuation that you have to find clothes to wear. Could you do it in 3 minutes? If the clothes are out and ready to go you could. Imagine not only finding your clothes and getting dressed but waking the children, finding their clothes and getting them dressed and everyone out the door. If you are prepared this way, you could take care of yourself instead of depending upon the government to take care of your family.  It gives you independence and confidence in your own ability to take care of your family.