Still, if you were within a large city and had only a "five minutes warning", I'd prefer a motorcycle of some type (yes, a dirt bike with pre-packed panniers).

I like the idea of an ATV though, just not sure how it may or may-not maneuver around in gridlock traffic.

> When you gotta go, you gotta go NOW, JIM!

The root post said you didn't have to go for another 5 minutes. I'd be willing to spend, say, 30 seconds of that on thinking. If I knew what the emergency was I'd take that into account. If it was just 1 minute, then I'd grab the bug-out bag and probably not a lot else, but 5 minutes is enough to plan a little.

I live 250 yards from an oil refinery. When a cracking tower blew, roads turned into a mess. It took one hour to cover the last two miles home in my truck. I can walk faster than that. I learned that a bicycle is a great evacuation vehicle. I prefer the bicycle since it requires less maintainence than a motorcycle, and I use it more. I don't trust any device for an emergency that I do not use on a regular basis.

I recommend against having BOB backpacks for very young children to carry. Although a young child might be able to carry a backpack, and might even do so on a regular basis (e.g. to and from pre-school or daycare), would you really want to *depend* on the child carrying a backpack in an unusual, potentially dangerous situation? It is all too easy for a child to get distracted, tired, scared, etc. and take off or forget the backpack. I would put a young child in charge of only stuff that you can do without if it is lost (e.g. small comfort toys or redundant supplies), to give them something to do and to build training.

Although you can teach a young child what to do in an emergency, and even reherse it. I would not build plans that *depend* on a young child executing *any* tasks (including carrying a BOB backpack) until the child is much older.

You ask which is the better alternative: "grab one bag from the closet" or "pass out backpacks". I think that either alternative would be too easy to forget in an emergency, unless it was rehersed frequently. Here are some alternatives: 1) Store the gear in the car so that she doesn't have to remember to get it. Or, 2) if she regularly carries a diaper bag whenever she goes out, ask if you can tuck a few extra things in it for her "just in case". That way, she if she has to go, she just grabs the bag that she always grabs out of habit. (This is what I do.)

If you really want her to have more gear than you can store in the car, don't tuck it away in the closet. Put it someplace more visible, like along the wall in the garage. If it's tucked away in the closet where she doesn't see it, it *will* be forgotten in an emergency.

Re: the cargo pants with zip off legs. Yes, you might think they look funny, but it is a very pratical idea. It is also great when traveling as you can pack less clothing yet still be prepared for a variety of climates.

Oh, and these are just my opinions as a mom to a pre-schooler. I'm no expert.

-Kuovonne

The major differance in the result of a house fire is not the superior fire-fighting technique of the Dutch fire suppression methods, but the differance in structures.
In The Netherlands, privite housing is commonly brick or stone because of local building ordances and scarcity of local lumber. The most common private housing building technique in North American is wooden frame construction, because of material availability and cost.
As an aside, if the house is on fire, you seldom have the luxary of a five minute warning.
GET OUT RIGHT NOW!!!
"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

I'm a big advocate of dirt bikes and ATVs (ATVs for adults only) If you live in a large metropolitan area, they may be a better choice. When traffic is gridlocked, surface streets and sidewalks would be perfectly acceptable paths of evacuation. A quad will carry a surprising amount of gear, attach a garden trailer and double your carry capacity.

I agree whole heartedly. My 15 yr old twins can carry a pack I suppose, but my 7 and 9 yr olds wouldn't be able to do it for long. maybe a small pack with some snacks and water, but nothing substantial.

A motorcycle is a lot more maneuverable, no doubt about it. But the quad allows more cargo, or even a passenger or two in a pinch. Both sure beat walking! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A bike -- even a slow single speed -- can go farther and carry more than a hiker. Add some bags/ racks or a trailer and you're set with a nifty back-up.

TRO

I guess I should have clarified what I was thinking. For the kids at most I was thinking about snacks, drinks comfort items and maybe a change of clothes. "okay honey, I know you're only five, but I really need you to carry the family tent and the backup generator." <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Because I know if it's anything but things she really wanted, she'd leave it behind. Maybe a few more items though. My kids are pretty smart, and I'd like to leave them with some items (poncho, heatsheet, etc.) in case they were separated. Training and lots of practice on how to use them of course.
I think part of this thinking is the fact that my parents did too much for me when I was growing up. I'd like my children to learn to be responsible for themselves and their things and I think that they are old enough to start, mind you I said start, learning that responsibility. Of course there's balancing empowering kids to be independent yet providing a safe and nurturing environment so they feel secure in exploring and testing their boundries without fear of rejection...maybe I should have gone into psychology? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Plus, being the parent of a pre-schooler DOES qualify you of at least somewhat being an expert <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />