Brad,<br><br>In general, we prefer to bug in. Don't forget what they call people who bug out -- refugees. <br><br>For us, the concerns include:<br><br>Fire;<br><br>Earthquake;<br><br>Civil unrest;<br><br>Chemical spills; and<br><br>NBC attack.<br><br>We live 3/8 ths of mile from an area in a national forest which burns about every 5 years. Six years ago our neighbor's house burned to the ground (from an external electrical fire). Its wood shake roof was 8' from ours. We reroofed with a highly fire-resistant synthetic shingle, and installed an elaborate alarm system. Our generator-pump system may also allow use of pool water for fire suppression (if i ever get the system completed). I've also had to evacuate my office on several occasions due to fires in adjacent offices. A major fire might compel evacuation.<br><br>Significant earthquakes in my area occur every few years. We have worked to strengthen the home against earthquakes. If my house were seriously damaged, we would temporarily move to our travel trailer stored in the backyard (and thereby discourage looting). My office was evacuated once briefly due to earthquake damage. Fortunately with modest preparation, I can do much of my work (law practice) away from my office. My wife's hospital has taken the usual strengthening precautions. If necessary, she could walk home in 1 1/2 hours. The children's school is 3 blocks from home.<br><br>We live and work in the suburbs of a metropolis. My previously more urban office had to be evacuated once due to nearby rioting. A number of my (less prepared) colleagues sent their families elsewhere during the riots. My wife's route to her former urban work was somewhat unsafe. We have shifted our work away from the more heavily urbanized regions. Heavily owner-occupied areas tend not to loot, burn, and riot. That hazard has been reduced. Leaving our home does not seem foreseeable for us.<br><br>We are near several highways and some industry so chemical spills and fires causing poison gas plumes are quite possible. Our road systems are probably adequate to allow for evacuation of limited areas. So that is a possibility.<br><br>We live and work within ready commuting distance from and downwind of a metropolis. The Al Qaida (Sp ?) terrorists have already attempted one attack there. They like to return to finish their work. Unfortunately our highway system is barely functional in normal rush hour traffic. Timely evacuation following an NBC attack does not seem feasible.<br>Aside from getting the means to seal the house against entry by short-lived agents, I haven't found any good solutions to that remote potential problem here (short of permanently relocating). <br><br>Thus with good precautions, one can somewhat reduce, but not eliminate, the need to leave home and become a refugee.<br><br>John<br>