Things to include in an emergency ready bag

If you really dig deep and think about it, it ain’t bad at all to be able to call sunny Singapore home. We live in a technologically savvy nation, where modern advancements have made it so convenient for us to carry out our day-to-day tasks with ease. Also, don’t get me started on how fortunate we are to not have to worry about freak natural disasters at all.

But things can still go awry, and so we still have to stay prepared for the odd peacetime emergency such as power outages. One way to do so is to pack an emergency ready bag. You already know the must-haves like torchlights and first aid kits, so here are some unexpected items to include in your ready bag that could make tiding over crises that much bearable.

What is an emergency ready bag?

An emergency ready bag is a bag which contains important items that will help you in a time of emergency, and you’ll bring it with you when you are required to evacuate your home. However, it’s still important to keep one stowed away at home just in case. Some of the essential things to pack in your emergency ready bag include:

Lesser-known things to include in an emergency ready bag

Thankfully, many Singaporeans don’t face peacetime emergencies on a regular basis, so not having an emergency ready bag packed to go at a moment’s notice is pretty common. As such, we might not know the importance of certain items that go into an emergency ready bag, but are nonetheless good to have on hand during trying times.

1. Cash

Pay for emergency supplies when electronic payment services are down

As the saying goes, cash is king, and it rings especially true in times of emergency. During power outages, electronic payment services could also go down, which means you won’t be able to use your credit cards or PayNow to purchase essential supplies such as food, groceries, and petrol.

ATMs might not work too, so it’s best to have a small reserve of bills to serve as your emergency fund. You may also want to consider splitting it up into smaller denominations too, to make getting change for your purchases hassle-free.

2. List of personal & emergency contact numbers

In case phone runs out of battery & you need to contact someone

Here’s a quick test – try recalling the phone numbers of your immediate family members right off the dome. If you can’t, then you’d better prepare a list of personal contact numbers for your emergency ready bag. Should your phone run out of battery during an emergency, at least you can refer to your handy list of contacts and borrow a phone to give them a ring.

Image credit: @singaporepoliceforce via Instagram

Additionally, you can also jot down these emergency hotlines in Singapore. During crises, these digits might not float to mind easily, so having them listed down saves you valuable time. Other numbers worth recording include those of utility companies, who can help resolve power outages, as well as your insurance agents, who are the ones to call up when you’re unsure of your coverage during mishaps.

3. Feminine care products

Because that time of the month doesn’t care if you’re in an emergency or not

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Periods suck, period. Unfortunately, shark week can hit regardless of whether you’re just chilling at home, or while you’re holed up somewhere due to unforeseen circumstances for a prolonged period of time.

As such, pack feminine care products like sanitary pads and period cramp-relieving Panadol if you or the ladies in the family might need them. These might come in useful in ensuring that you’re as comfortable as can be in high-stress situations while you wait for help.

4. Books, card games or other comfort items like soft toys for kids

Alleviate potentially distressing conditions for young children

It goes without saying that emergency situations could be distressing for children. That’s why it’s wise to spare some space in your emergency ready bags for comfort items like their favourite soft toys to keep them at ease.

As for adults, conserving as much power on your mobile phones is recommended; after all you wouldn’t want to have your call with a first responder cut short because your phone’s dead. So, lay off the games and read a book or play some card games instead as you wait for help to arrive.

5. Battery-operated radio

Receive real-time updates and instructions without plugging into a socket

Image credit: popular1.sg via Shopee

Once again, you’ll find that electricity is a scarce resource when it comes to emergencies, so you might not be able to tap into the wonders of the Internet for the latest information. That’s when we turn to the trusty battery-operated radio, as it’s not completely reliant on finding a socket to plug into to run.

Having a radio allows you to tune into local radio stations to receive real-time updates and action to take regarding the situation at hand, so you can better plan out your next steps. Better yet, opt for the modern pocket-sized models that are quite compact and lightweight, which means more room for other essentials in your emergency ready bag.

6. Physical & digital copies of important documents

Help first responders & relevant authorities identify you easily

Something that we often don’t think about is identifying ourselves during emergency situations. It’s the last thing on our minds as we scramble to safety, but being able to do so is paramount in ensuring that we make it out unscathed.

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For instance, copies of important documents such as medical records that list existing medical conditions and prescribed medication can be shared with healthcare providers so they can best assist you. Scans of identity cards, driver’s licenses, and passports can also help the relevant authorities identify you should you have to evacuate your home.

Of course, you’ll want to ensure that your documents are adequately waterproofed, by storing them in an appropriate file or by laminating them. You can also opt to store your documents on a thumbdrive, to save space in your emergency bag for other essential items.

7. Whistle

Attract attention to yourself without exerting too much effort

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You might think that screaming at the top of your lungs is a surefire way to attract attention to yourself when you’re in need of dire help, but that might not always be the case. If you didn’t know, the sharp shrill of a whistle travels much further than a loud human yelp, around 3 times further on average.

Moreover, shouting can be quite straining on your vocal cords, so using a whistle can help prevent fatigue while allowing for sustained signalling. It can also be used in moments where shouting may cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of smoke and dust, plus it’s lightweight so including it in your emergency ready bag is no trouble at all.

What to do during a power outage?

Now that you know how to stock your emergency ready bag, it’s also important to know what to do during emergencies as well. We don’t think Singapore will experience typhoons and earthquakes any time soon, but one of the predicaments you might find yourself in on the Little Red Dot is a power outage.

Should you find yourself in the thick of an unfortunate power blackout, stay calm and follow the ABCs of what to do when the electricity gets cut.


Image credit: EMA

Firstly, assess the situation and check if the power outage affects only your residential premises, or the surrounding areas as well. You’ll also want to be careful with your power usage, by taking measures such as switching off electrical appliances to prevent power surges when electricity is restored.

Finally, keep yourself posted on the latest news on power restoration by checking for official updates. You can do so by visiting the social media channels of SP Group (Instagram | Facebook) and Energy Authority Market (Instagram | Facebook). However, if you’re faced with life-threatening or medical emergencies, do call 995 or 999 immediately.

Stay vigilant by packing an emergency ready bag

Since Singapore is a mighty safe country to be in, it’s easy to forget that emergencies can strike even in broad daylight; after all, Murphy’s Law, am I right? As such, stay vigilant and do your part by putting together an emergency ready bag, stat.

If you’ve got some extra space in yours, it’d be nice to stuff extra essentials so you can extend a helping hand to others in need. Perhaps they just need one more battery in order to power devices of their own, or an extra first aid kit to fix up little scrapes. After all, you never know when you might need to call on the goodwill of others, so start by being a good Samaritan yourself.

Learn more about what to pack in an Emergency Ready Bag

This post was brought to you by Nexus, MINDEF.
Cover image adapted from: cotton bro studio via Pexels