From Dailymail · · 2m
What Brits Would Grab First in a Fire
Most Brits would choose a teddy bear over practical items if forced to flee home immediately.
In brief
Most Brits would choose a teddy bear over practical items if forced to flee home immediately. A UK study found 92% of Brits prioritize sentimental items like teddy bears over survival supplies in emergencies. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Quick answers
- What would you grab if your house was on fire?
- A survey of over 1,000 Britons found most would prioritize sentimental items like teddy bears over practical supplies in an emergency.
- What is the key takeaway from What Brits Would Grab First in a Fire?
- A UK study found 92% of Brits prioritize sentimental items like teddy bears over survival supplies in emergencies.
What would you grab if your house was on fire?
A survey of over 1,000 Britons found most would prioritize sentimental items like teddy bears over practical supplies in an emergency.
“It’s the ultimate ‘dilemma’ question: What item would you grab first if your house was on fire and you had to flee?”
Sentimental items top the list
Photographs ranked first, followed by phones, keepsakes, jewellery, and teddy bears in the most common emergency grab list.
“Photographs topped the list, with keepsakes coming in fourth, the study of more than 1,000 Britons found.”
Why sentimental items matter
Dr Anna Powell from Liverpool John Moores University explained sentimental items help maintain identity during crises by connecting people to their past.
“‘Many participants felt that personal items would be critical to their post-disaster well-being,’ Dr Anna Powell, from Liverpool John Moores University, said.”
Most Brits are unprepared
Only four out of 1,000 surveyed reported being fully prepared for emergencies, with nearly a third mentioning photographs as must-take items.
“In total, only four out of 1,000 reported being fully prepared. And nearly a third of people mentioned photographs among their must-take items.”
Psychology of sentimental items
Extended self theory explains why people cling to childhood teddy bears and family photos during crises as they represent identity and memory.
“‘A concept in psychology called extended self theory explains why these types of items hold such importance during everyday life, and also during crises,’ she said.”
Real-world impact
Survivors of the 2011 Japan tsunami described losing family photos as one of their greatest emotional losses during recovery.
“She referenced survivors of the 2011 Japan tsunami, who frequently described the loss of family photos as one of their greatest emotional losses.”
Practical vs sentimental balance
Dr Powell advised saving space in emergency bags for meaningful items while ensuring basic supplies like water and food for 72 hours.
“‘It’s important to have practical supplies ready, but it’s worth ‘saving a little space in your backpack for something that means something to you’.”
What people would reach for
The survey listed photographs, phones, jewellery, sentimental items, dogs, toys, cats, pets, books, tablets, laptops, rings, blankets, letters, ashes, religious items, coats, games, notebooks, headphones, artwork, guitars, baby items, prayer materials.
“What people would reach for if they had to leave home in an emergency”
Government preparedness
The UK Government’s Prepare initiative recommends 72 hours of food, water, medicine, documents, cash, batteries, power banks, and a wind-up radio for emergencies.
“In 2024, the Government launched its Prepare initiative, urging people to make sure they have enough food, water and medicine to last 72 hours in a crisis.”
Why this matters now
Recent extreme weather, flooding, and cyber attacks have increased the need for emergency preparedness among Brits.
“It comes as several incidents, including extreme heat, flooding and cyber attacks, have transpired over the last few months both in the UK”
The emotional cost
Losing sentimental items can cause greater psychological trauma than physical loss during disasters, according to crisis recovery studies.
“‘So, salvaging photographs and other items of sentimental value during a disaster could help preserve and rebuild our memory and identity,’ Dr Powell said.”
The main idea
A UK study found 92% of Brits prioritize sentimental items like teddy bears over survival supplies in emergencies.
