# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/41 "2014-10-23T06:51:25Z")
Backpacking gear, half that’s in the car already. My handgun and every single fucking bullet I have. Hiking boots, maps, tools, cash, candles and my solar lights. And my camera, or my ‘Emmy,’ as I like to call it, if any of us make it out alive. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/42 "2014-10-23T07:00:01Z")
I dunno, I can think of a couple of good reasons to bring a 15# cat. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/43 "2014-10-23T13:43:28Z")
> [@AnthonyElite](#): > > Cell Charger > > \ > > I’d head AWAY from the city and into the mountains. Thinking there might be some sort of charging station up in the Catskills? ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/44 "2014-10-23T14:57:15Z")
This thread got me thinking last night, so I decide to see just what I\* could\* do with only 15 minutes notice. The answer: not much. Forget about filling the water tank in the big camper, just finding enough hose and then hooking it together and connecting everything up would take me almost 10 minutes. And then it takes a while to fill a 60 gallon tank. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/45 "2014-10-23T15:10:28Z")
Grab my bugout bag (already stocked with fire starting supplies, water filter, flashlights, a couple solid knives (KaBar and Spyderco Manix), space blanket, first aid kit, etc…) as much of my firearms and ammo (take my AR, 10/22, single shot 20 ga. Bare minimum…) to enhance the bugout kit already in the car Truth be told, I’d more likely shelter in place and bug in at home, rural location with replenish able and defensible water supply, my flock of chickens (pastured free range eggs are tasty) and defend the homestead Have my sister, niece, and nephew shelter with us, and work together with the neighbors to establish a safe perimeter, they have a massive garden plot, but no means to defend it, we help defend it and they share produce with us… Shelter in place and work with the neighbors (there’s only a few, were pretty rural) is the correct answer for US, ymmv ---
**Author:** ![Slowki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@Slowki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slowki)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/46 "2014-10-23T15:13:50Z")
Bow Arrows Throwing knives Tomahawk Misc knives Multitool Laptop Solar panels Rechargeable batteries(5v 10A) Machete Rope Money Phone Booze My copy of HHGTTG Power bars Bandages I would then drive down the road and raid the local gun store. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/47 "2014-10-23T15:23:52Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > 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. I’m with Oakminster. We’ve got a front door, a back door, windows next to the doors, and that’s it. Easy to defend and since all the guns and ammo are already here, no point in packing to leave. ---
**Author:** ![brendon\_small](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brendon_small/32/17101_2.png) [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/48 "2014-10-23T15:27:22Z")
We have hospital bags packed, so those are already in vehicles and have clothes, toiletries, etc. From the house: [ul] [li]My son’s necessary meds/feed pump/some feeds.[/li][li]Bottles for son/daughter[/li][li]First aid kit[/li][li]Syringes/medical bag[/li][li]Several Leatherman/Multitools[/li][li]Knives/hatchet out of the top of the toolbox[/li][li]Other various tools (hammer, screwdriver, socket set)[/li][li]Slingshots(3)/pellets[/li][li]Bows(2)/arrows/gear[/li][li]Firestarting things (lighters, matches, etc.)[/li][li]Laptop/tablets[/li][li]A few sentimental things (pictures off the table/fridge, a few items that are specifically important - things my FIL gave the boys before he passed away, etc.)[/li][li]Any toy that fits between me and the door - I have to keep 3 kids happy.[/li][/ul] Of course, the points made about staying put make a lot of sense. Our house is defendable… ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/49 "2014-10-23T16:55:44Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Besides, I don’t know that I have to go anywhere. That simply increases your chances of an encounter. I’m in a third floor apartment. Assuming I can barricade the door (and I have enough crap to do it and/or can manufacture enough deactivated zombie corpses), I just sit out on my deck and shoot them as they mill about. > > Besides, Winter is coming. I’m in Minnesota. They’re Zombiecicles very soon. I was thinking the same thing: I’m on the second floor of a controlled-access building (i.e., there’s a locked door between me and the zombies). I tell all the tenants to sit tight. Then we wait for a few good snowfalls… Zombiecicles. ---
**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, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/50 "2014-10-23T17:21:04Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > 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. > [@MacTech](#): > > Truth be told, I’d more likely shelter in place and bug in at home, rural location with replenish able and defensible water supply, my flock of chickens (pastured free range eggs are tasty) and defend the homestead > > Have my sister, niece, and nephew shelter with us, and work together with the neighbors to establish a safe perimeter, they have a massive garden plot, but no means to defend it, we help defend it and they share produce with us… > > Shelter in place and work with the neighbors (there’s only a few, were pretty rural) is the correct answer for US, ymmv > [@MsRobyn](#): > > I’m with Oakminster. We’ve got a front door, a back door, windows next to the doors, and that’s it. Easy to defend and since all the guns and ammo are already here, no point in packing to leave. Depends; [how many](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nxG3pWiQhK4/UVS8ECSZy6I/AAAAAAAADL4/phLnXj9SxDk/s1600/2013-01-31-world_war_z.jpg) zombies are coming? ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/51 "2014-10-23T18:16:14Z")
Man, I have no firearms at all. I do however have 10 good kitchen knives and such. And can I take the motorcycle? I can go more places and get between cars and such. All my kitchen knives in the wooden shelf, to keep from cutting the bag. Bayonet, though I might have to search for that. Screwdrivers, especially the ones with longer handles. All the duct tape I can find, along with the other packing tape. A couple of pliers and wrenches. 4-5 pairs of undies and socks. I can use those to keep the tools from making noises. 4-5 t-shirts, especially the wicking kind. 2-3 pair of hiking pants. 2-3 sweatshirts. Rain coat. Meds that I need. Aspirin, vitamins, I also have some superscription pain killers and some antibiotics I never needed to use. Probably expired but should still work. Flashlights, I have 3-4 in different sizes. Batteries. Handheld CB, yes I do have one. Water bottle or two. Then if I have room/time I’m sure I could find a few other things, then I’m out the door and on the bike. ---
**Author:** ![Stringbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/52 "2014-10-23T20:35:25Z")
On several zombie shows/movies (Walking Dead comes to mind), the characters that seem to survive the longest always say “we have to keep moving, we have to keep moving, if we stay put we die” Question is: why is this sound advice versus stocking up on supplies and staying put? Seems like constantly moving about greatly increases the odds you get into bad situations. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/53 "2014-10-23T20:44:37Z")
Maybe it’s because when you stay in one place, you get too comfortable. If you’re in a new place, you’re going to be more vigilant. ---
**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, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/54 "2014-10-23T20:58:27Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > On several zombie shows/movies (Walking Dead comes to mind), the characters that seem to survive the longest always say “we have to keep moving, we have to keep moving, if we stay put we die” > > Question is: why is this sound advice versus stocking up on supplies and staying put? > > Seems like constantly moving about greatly increases the odds you get into bad situations. I think the idea is that sooner or later the zombies sense your presence and you end up luring dozens, hundreds and eventually thousands of zombies the longer you stay in one place. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/55 "2014-10-23T21:31:19Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > So the dead have risen and started chomping on folks in your city. Maybe they’re supernatural types, corpses reanimated because Hell is and Heaven is closed; maybe it’s an improbable virus that leaves the laws of thermodynamics in question. It doesn’t matter, because you’ve just barely managed to overcome four or five who attacked your home, and you have good reason to believe there’s an enormous coming at you from hte north, so your priority right now is to get the fuck to the south. > > The zombies are fifteen minutes away. You have [this empty bag](http://www.amazon.com/Northstar-Diamond-Ripstop-14x30Inch-Blue/dp/B002ON3PDA/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=aUTF8&qid=1414003366&sr=1-3&keywords=duffle+bags) to fill with usefuls, but no other luggage. Restricting yourself to items currently in your house, what do you fill it with before leaving? Don’t live in a city. Far from it. If zombies came up from the local graveyard, I would be tempted to say hello. If that bag is all I have to take, I would certainly stay at home. If my Wife is at home, and I can lode up my plow truck and SUV, well that’s a bit different. Hmm… My wife would drive the Grand Jeep or Pathfinder with the dogs. I’d take the Dodge truck with the plow on the front and the 10,000 lb Warn winch on the back. May come in handy. My dear wife just won’t try to understand firearms (front sight or rear sight??? :rolleyes:). In that little bit of time I might try to give her the .357 Ruger loaded with .38s. All you have to do is pull the trigger. Though it’s a bit big for her hands. Perhaps the .22 MkII. Locked and loaded. Pull the trigger. Both handguns. In her car with the dogs goes a couple of gallons of water and blankets, dog food and some canned goods. I’ll take the 336er Marlin carbine cambered in .356. It’s closer to a mortar than a rifle but is very effective out to 100 yards (with me at the wheel). I’ve 60lbs or so of ammo for that. The Colt 1911 .45 stays in the cab. I’ve about 4000 (my father bought it all for Y2K) rounds of .22lr, so that’s coming along too. The .22 Browning lever action will go to. And all non perishable food. And a bic lighter. You writing an end of world novel Sklad? ---
**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, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/56 "2014-10-23T23:12:32Z")
This thread inspired me to Google “bug out bags”, and I checked what I came up with on my own vs. what they suggested. One thing I hadn’t thought of at all: **work gloves**. If you need to perform a lot a manual labor you’re not used to, you’ll need them. ---
**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 24, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/57 "2014-10-24T00:07:36Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > This thread inspired me to Google “bug out bags”, and I checked what I came up with on my own vs. what they suggested. One thing I hadn’t thought of at all: **work gloves**. If you need to perform a lot a manual labor you’re not used to, you’ll need them. Every manly man has the equivalent of a bug out bag in his car already. ---
**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 24, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/58 "2014-10-24T00:08:51Z")
Well, lacking Skald’s provision of defining characteristics of these zombies, I’ll have to grab the following: Waist pack – it holds my .45 and 5 magazines/50 rounds of ammo and I’ll probably strap it to my waist before I do anything else. In the provided duffel bag: [ul] [li]Daily Meds for wife & me[/li][li]Lock picks (it’s a hobby and I ain’t that good, but it beats bashing doors in and having zombies able to follow through the hole)[/li][li]A couple spare dresses for the wife ('cause I know she’ll appreciate it later)[/li][li]Toiletry Kit (a few generic meds plus eyeglasses, deoderant, contact lenses, solutions, etc.)[/li][li]Hiking boots for me & wife[/li][li]LED Flashlights & Headlamp[/li][li]Roll of Gaffer’s tape[/li][li]Plus a can-opener, a couple multi-tool knives, and a corkscrew/bottle-opener[/li][li]Ramen & other dried foods[/li][li]Katana, in its bag and tied to the top of the duffel-bag so the handles cynch it down. In case decapitation is the better deterrent.[/li][/ul] I also grab my daily commute pack – but I slide the laptop into its pocket after filling the main pocket with my small weapons [ul] [li]Nunchaku[/li][li]Tonfa[/li][li]Sai[/li][li]Manriki[/li][li]Throwing Spikes[/li][li]Throwing Stars[/li][li]Bali-sung[/li][li]Bolo knife[/li][li]boot knife[/li][li]Bullwhip (it doesn’t really fit the collection but it is a weapon I have and use and it’s right there with the rest of 'em)[/li][/ul] The small front & side pockets are already filled with laptop and business accessories, plus my wallet, keys, and cards. Additional items in the garage to toss in the car until I hit my 15 minute time limit (in order of priority) [ul] [li]Ammo Can – Nine more bricks of 50 rounds each, plus brushes, Hopps #9 and patches.[/li][li]Camping pack – tent, fuel, lighters, microstove, cookware & utensils, water filter, freeze-dried food, nylon outerwear, sleeping bag, hydration pack[/li][li]Camping belt – first aid kit, Kabar knife, canteen, compass, whistle, survival rations, nylon outerwear.[/li][li]Extra sleeping bag[/li][li]Extra Tent[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]Shovel or spade – if zombies stop when decapitated, I’ll use it edge-wise; if bashing skulls or bones is required, I’ll use it flat-sided. Either way, it gives me more reach than a zombie’s bare hands if a face-to-face encounter occurs.[/li][li]2 long staves & 2 short staves – in case bashing is the better method.[/li][/ul] My wife will probably insist I put the dog into the car and I might only object a little bit. He’s ancient but he might actually serve as a warning system (that’s what his breed was bred for). That or he’ll tangle with Mage-Girl’s cat – and probably lose.:smack: My daily commute motorcycle gear (they’re as close to ‘armor’ as I can get at the moment) [ul] [li]cowhide jacket[/li][li]deerskin pants, .[/li][li]boots[/li][li]Two helmets – the extra one in case my wife wants to use it.[/li][li]Two pairs of gloves – my wife has her own, with fringes.:rolleyes:[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]Rock-Climbing pack – harness, rope, straps, carabiners, boots, chalk. Any or all of it could be useful.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]The Red Toolbox[/li][li]The milk-crate o’ chemicals (many are flammable; some are sprays)[/li][/ul] I’ll skip the crossbow, bow, and arrows. I’ve never seen any zombie tales that talk about arrows or quarrels fending them off. –G! ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/59 "2014-10-24T03:18:50Z")
My apartment is on the ground floor with big windows pointing towards the local graveyard, which starts 10 meters from this building. And I have no weapons other than a rather dull bread knife. I’m doomed. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-on-the-run-from-zombies-what-items-in-your-house-right-now-do-you-take-with-you/702177/60 "2014-10-24T15:00:22Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > This thread inspired me to Google “bug out bags”, and I checked what I came up with on my own vs. what they suggested. One thing I hadn’t thought of at all: **work gloves**. If you need to perform a lot a manual labor you’re not used to, you’ll need them. Good point. I’ve got my CERT pack in the back of my car. It’s got mechanics gloves and a set of coveralls in it, those have come in handy a few times even in non-zombie situations. [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=2) [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=4)