# You're on the run from zombies. What items in your house RIGHT NOW do you take with you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177 "2014-10-22T18:44:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/21 "2014-10-22T20:47:28Z")
Dammit, flee-for-your-life-right-friggin-now doesn’t give me time to do much more than grab my handgun, ammo and spare mags. If I comfortably had half an hour I could fill that duffle with useful stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/22 "2014-10-22T20:50:38Z")
> [@August\_West](#): > > If I can drive away, then I’m not really limited to what will fit in that duffle bag, right? It’s also whatever fits in/on/hitched to my car. Sure, if you want to take that much time. You don’t want to get surrounded by the zombie horde while you’re overpacking. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/23 "2014-10-22T21:50:37Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You’re WALKING away? Because nothing in the OP says you can’t drive. He’s badass. Also, walking speed is still faster than the zombies…unless they’re fast zombies in which case I kill myself. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/24 "2014-10-22T22:02:28Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You’re WALKING away? Because nothing in the OP says you can’t drive. Lots of roads are impassible due to melonhead drivers when panic **isn’t** ensuing. In the movies, there’s always a lane that the hero can drive through at high speed. And that always kills me. Zombie hordes? It will faster to walk. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/25 "2014-10-22T22:10:44Z")
The truck already has full bug-out bags in it, so we’d just grab the cats, food for same, the handguns and ammo (already cased, how nice) and some of the liquor cabinet. Because after a day on the run from zombies, I’m gonna need a drink! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/26 "2014-10-22T22:18:43Z")
Several good books, my iPad, that pumpkin I’m looking at on the mantelpiece, and a tube of Krazy Glue. I figure my chances of surviving the zombie apocalypse are pretty much zero; I have no weapons in the house; I may as well pack for entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/27 "2014-10-22T22:18:58Z")
I’ve done Enough running; this land is Ours. (…and if they don’t know that we mean to keep it, well, they soon will…) :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/28 "2014-10-22T22:19:41Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > I’ve done Enough running; this land is Ours. > > (…and if they don’t know that we mean to keep it, well, they soon will…) > > :dubious: You’re not retreating. You’re just advancing in the other direction. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/29 "2014-10-22T22:41:23Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Zombie hordes? It will faster to walk. Some of us have off-road vehicles. But yes, a car could well be a liability in a built-up area. My preferred mode of transportation would be a horse. Of course, I’d have to learn to saddle the beast, let alone ride it… ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/30 "2014-10-22T23:39:39Z")
I have no actual weapons in the house, and am not trained in hand to hand combat, so I’m somewhat screwed right from the start. OTOH, I live in a hurricane-prone area, so I’ve got a stock of bugout supplies more or less ready to go. So: The two or three biggest knives in my kitchen Wooden broom handle (that I’ll whittle to a sharp point when I get a moment on the road) Small tool set w/hammer Two, no three, flashlights Pocket radio Candles Matches Whatever spare batteries I’ve got laying around whatever canned goods and dry food I’ve got laying around Couple gallons of water A couple of changes of clothes Sleeping bag Towel First aid kit Disinfecting cleaner A bottle of the good Scotch (mine will be a civilized zombie apocalypse) A plate and stainless steel eating utensils (likewise) Maps ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/31 "2014-10-23T00:46:40Z")
I’m sorry, I’m not really much of a consumer of the zombie tales, so my familiarity is probably a bit out-of-date. Might I ask for some critical details on the stereotype these zombies fit? Fast tear-you-apart chasers (WW Z?) Slow eat-or-infect-you staggerers (I am Legend) Slow claw-and-kill-you shufflers (House of the Dead) Some other combination? IN other words, how quickly do they move (particularly when chasing/attacking), what happens to you when you get attacked, and – most importantly – how are they overcome/deactivated? This last part is critical to my choice of weapons because if it just takes a shot to the head (House of the Dead) then I’ll bring the .45 and if decapitation is required I’ll take the katana and if the head has to remain attached while the brains are bashed, then I’ll take a baseball bat. But, as you can imagine, those choices have drastically different distances at which I can employ them and I’d really prefer to be as far away as possible. Do we even know these details from, like, other reported encounters? OH, and I’ve never understood this last bit: Are they just roving mindless killing machines? I mean, how smart are they? Would they recognize a trap if it was right there? Are they smart enough to operate doorknobs or avoid the smell of gasoline? –G? ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/32 "2014-10-23T00:48:19Z")
My safes Knives Scissors Water Dry snacks protein powder Blankets and towels ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/33 "2014-10-23T00:48:49Z")
In any event, my wife is disabled so we’re going nowhere unless the National Guard gives us an ambulance ride. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/34 "2014-10-23T01:13:30Z")
my Remington 870 12 gauge and as many shells as I can carry. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/35 "2014-10-23T01:53:40Z")
I pack: The crossbow/bolts The pellet gun/ammo/accessories The machete Hobo stove Survival kit: firestarter, matches, multi-tool, space blanets, etc. Large bottle of water Small pot A couple bowls and cutlery Lightweight food - couple packs of ramen and whatever nuts, etc. are in the house Spouses’ meds First aid stuff Extra socks, gloves, hat, shoes Money/ID Whatever booze I have in the house (potential trade goods) My heavyweight boots go on my feet, along with several jackets (only have to wear them out to the vehicle). Drive away in the car with the spouse in the truck, or maybe the other way around. Already have a bunch of stuff like rope, bags, and various stuff in the vehicles. Come winter, there will be more than that. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/36 "2014-10-23T02:23:44Z")
Lucky I already have a toolkit in the car boot, (cheap )leatherman in the glovebox and a phone charger connected to the 12 volt ready to go. So, into the bag goes: tins of food from the pantry, bottles of water Pain killers some clothes Nylon rope my [Fubar](http://gearpatrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/stanley-fatmax-xtreme-fubar-utility-bar.jpg) [Battleaxe](http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs11/i/2006/179/e/8/Conjal__s_Huge_Skull_Battle_Axe_by_FantasyStock.jpg) Couple of other knives Knife Sharpener Firestarter Booze As I’m going to the car, I’ll grab the golf clubs off the front veranda and throw those in the boot too. Nothing like a 7 iron to the temple to slow down a Zombie. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/37 "2014-10-23T02:34:16Z")
The car is ready for immediate bug-out, so I get a 15 minute head start. I don’t need to be faster than the first wave of zombies, I just need to be faster than you. ---
**Author:** ![mage-girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cc9497/32.png) [@mage-girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mage-girl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/38 "2014-10-23T02:41:30Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > In any event, my wife is disabled so we’re going nowhere unless the National Guard gives us an ambulance ride. I know what you mean. I could walk for maybe half a mile before I have to rest (due to my back problems). My mom could walk a block. Running would be out of the question. We could carry stuff in our wheeled coolers, but it would slow us down. We don’t have our own vehicle, so, well, we’re screwed there. And what about the cats? My cat alone is 15lbs. I know, I know, in a true zombie apocalypse you gotta leave the pets, but I don’t know if I could. I’m not sure how long I’d survive in any case. I’m a city girl, never shot a gun or crossbow in my life. ☹ An earlier poster’s idea about barricading themselves in a second or third-floor apartment might be pretty smart actually. 🙂 (Apologies if this is disjointed; my sinus infection may be coming back, and last time it made me pretty stupid. Dang it!) ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/39 "2014-10-23T06:06:59Z")
I have my camping gear pre-packed in plastic bins. I couldn’t fit all of it into the bag in the link, but I’d grab my wife’s pistol, scoop in the medicine cabinet content and then dump as much of the good camping gear as I could fit. Among the camping gear is a combination hammer and hatchet that would be pretty useful for zombie killing if we run out of ammo. Other items include tents, tarps, cooking stoves, lanterns, fuel, utensils, pots/pans, etc. (It’s a very thorough set of bins. If you told me I was going camping tomorrow, I just have to put food in the cooler.) ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/40 "2014-10-23T06:47:43Z")
Not sure I’d choose to leave. My home is well built, has limited points of entry,and is reasonably defensible. With 15 minutes notice, I might very well decide to set the woods about 100 yards to the north on fire, expecting the flames to sweep downhill and deter/deflect the coming horde. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177.md?page=3)