Have had several chances to ponder this question in my life. Lived in an apartment building 8 stories, about 20 apartments per floor, us in charge of 10-40 blind adults, and 1 firebug in the building who set the building on fire three times before he got caught. Every night I stacked beside my bed the sterling silverware, eyeglasses, 2 photo albums, my purse and keys, shoes on the floor. Our blind people were quite helpful to the other tenants in leading them down the stairs in heavy smoke. They offered an elbow to the sighted and then called out the number of stairs in the current flight of stairs and the floor number we were entering. Just before the basement flight (to only a laundry room), they told tenants to reach out for the exit door.

Now, my needs have changed and I keep in my car in case of house fire: spare eyeglasses (current prescription), comfy shoes, 2 spare canes, a spare checkbook and a small amount of folding money. I should probably add a copy of my phone list and a computer backup.

Most of my garden tools stay in the car, so I'll still be able to garden.

I'm glad you brought this up. It's not something many people ever think about. We had to face this about 20 years when a hurricane was heading our way and my hubby was being assigned to stay behind to help man the emergency operation building, leaving me to have to evacuate alone if the need had occurred. Fortunately it didn't, but it made us do some planning. And first and foremost, we now list medication, glasses, change of clothes, necessary paperwork, anything that cannot be replaced like photo albums. Even better if they are on DVDs. The back ups to your computer(s). I know you are getting the idea. And so on. Much of these items can be kept with your necessary papers so quick to grab. And if you are really in danger, don't hesitate to store it all in a roller bag you can grab quickly and be out the door. There's nothing wrong in having a 2nd set of DVDs or photo albums and so on.

Thanks for bringing this up. This is an important plan as well as being sure your loved ones know what you plans are for your funeral. Another item we tend to avoid.

Wow, what a profound thought and I can't even imagine having to make a decision such as that.....thinking of that time elements really brings this tragedy into a totally other perspective.....

Seeing on the television all those terrible pictures of people trying to leave without their possessions. About 4 years ago we had terrible fires where I live. We thought we were going to be evacuated and filled the cars with personal papers, photograph albums and precious things - not forgetting my sewing machines. Even my dog was ready for the off. Four of our close friends lost their houses and everything.