What would be in your Catholic grab bag if you had to leave home in a hurry?

I recently had a tiny glimpse of how the war in Ukraine is affecting many families first-hand. On my way back home on the Parisian underground, I saw a family of Ukrainian refugees get on the train: a mom and her two young children. She was laden with a large suitcase and various bags, and the children had their little backpacks. These were possibly all the possessions they had left in the world. Their eyes were glazed over and they looked utterly exhausted.

One of the little girls was clinging to her well-worn teddy bear. While the mom explained in pretty impressive English that they were making their way to a shelter, I couldn’t help but think how hard it must have been for parents who had to hurriedly put together their most valued possessions as they rushed to leave their homes.

It’s a situation most of us will hopefully never have to encounter, yet there are times when a family may have to suddenly flee their home, such as in a natural disaster like a wildfire, earthquake or flood. And this raises the question, if it happened to you or me, would we be prepared?

Here’s a list of essentials we’ve put together — with the help of police forces in Britain who actively encourage all families to have a grab bag ready in case of an emergency. Preparing in advance like this can help to reduce stress and panic if there is ever a major incident. (This does not include events such as a zombie apocalypse or an alien invasion — both of which might require prayer more than anything else!)

Fred de Noyelle | Godong

Speaking of prayer, that’s the first thing we want to remember in an emergency. So if you have a particular prayer card that is important to you, get a copy and laminate it, as it’s always good to have important things as weatherproof as possible. Not only will it bring you comfort in difficult times, the fact that it’s protected means it shouldn’t disintegrate over time and you’ll be able to hold onto it longer.

This is actually useful for all sorts of emergencies, including computers deciding to die on you for no reason at all. While you might have stored some files on a cloud, it’s very practical to have a physical storage facility of your essential files. So make sure you scan personal documents — including passports, driving licenses, marriage and birth certificates, health records etc. — and also favorite photos through the ages. You should also have paper copies of ID, too, just in case.

This may seem obvious, but be sure that it’s complete and that any particular medications you’d your family need to take are included, if possible. Also keep an eye on those expiration dates!

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An obvious one for any Catholic, but you might not think to have a spare set tucked away in case of emergency. So make an investment and get another set, or even just a small decade-only version, to have stashed away.

This is essential for a number of reasons: It’s not only comforting and can be a treat to calm kids, it’s also useful to have some sugar when you’re going through shock. If you opt for dark chocolate you’ll boost your magnesium levels, which also helps with anxiety. (Again, you will need to check that it’s updated regularly, as out of date chocolate is not exactly appetizing.)

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It’s wise to have spare clothes for a couple of days, preferably all-weather attire. Be sure to include good thick socks as you don’t know how much walking you might have to do.

This is a tough one when so many of us are struggling to put money aside these days. However, if you can, try and reserve some cash for emergencies.

Imagine you’re in a disaster movie and think what the protagonist always has at the ready: a whistle, pocket knife, radio, flashlight, batteries, phone charger, house and car keys, paper and pen.

A paper map is something many of us don’t possess anymore, but it’s always useful to have one in case you don’t have access to your phone or other electrical devices.

Shutterstock-Bogdan Sonjachnyj

Pack some essential toiletries, including a toothbrush. You should also be sure to add some sunscreen, especially if you have little ones, to avoid any nasty burns.

You’ll need to add a few food supplies to get you through a couple of days. If you pack protein-rich foods such as sardines and nuts, you’ll have energy and essential vitamins to keep you focused on getting through any disaster.

The Bible can be pretty hefty and you might not want to carry the extra weight, especially if you have kids to carry. While you can always access the Bible online, it could be a good idea to have your favorite quotes from scripture in a little notebook or to pick up a small copy of the New Testament.

One of the worst nightmares of any parent is to be separated from their child, let alone in the event of a disaster. One thing you can do is have all your details and their details written on a card (including a family photo) and have it placed in a lanyard for them to wear around their neck.

If there’s anything you would include in your grab bag that didn’t make the list, we’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Read more:10 Tips for surviving long car journeys with kids