Brits Prioritize Sentimental Items Over Practical Supplies in Emergencies, Study Finds

A recent study of over 1,000 British adults indicates a strong tendency to prioritize sentimental items over practical supplies when faced with an immediate evacuation. The research, conducted as part of the After the End Project, found that photographs, personal keepsakes, jewelry, and pets were among the most commonly cited items people would grab if forced to leave their homes quickly.

Dr. Anna Powell of Liverpool John Moores University, who contributed to the study, noted in an article published on The Conversation that many participants expressed a need for personal items to support their psychological well-being during a crisis. "They expressed a strong desire to keep sentimental items such as jewellery, family photographs and objects from their childhood close to them during a crisis," she stated. This prioritization of emotional connection over immediate utility contrasts with official emergency preparedness guidelines.

In 2024, the UK government launched its Prepare initiative, advising citizens to assemble a 72-hour survival kit containing food, water, medicine, essential documents, cash, and communication devices like a wind-up radio. However, the study suggests a significant gap between these recommendations and public readiness. Researchers found that most individuals surveyed had less than half of the recommended supplies, with only four out of 1,000 participants reporting being fully prepared. Nearly a third of respondents specifically mentioned photographs as items they would take.

Psychological theories, such as the concept of the extended self, may explain this attachment to personal belongings. The extended self theory posits that individuals incorporate significant objects into their sense of identity. "A childhood teddy bear, therefore, becomes a possession imbued with memories and emotions which tell a tale of who we are, where we have come from, and who we care about," Dr. Powell explained. This connection to personal history can be crucial for maintaining a sense of self and aiding psychological recovery after a disaster, as evidenced by the accounts of survivors of the 2011 Japan tsunami who often cited the loss of family photos as a profound emotional hardship.

The study also highlighted specific items frequently mentioned by participants. Photographs and photo albums topped the list, followed by mobile phones and jewelry. Other highly desired items included sentimental keepsakes, pets (dogs and cats being the most frequently mentioned), books, laptops, and diaries. The research suggests that while practical preparedness is important, there is also value in making space for items that hold personal meaning.

"Heirlooms and meaningful everyday items from before a crisis become points of storytelling afterward," Dr. Powell said. "When so much else is uncertain, the small objects that remind us who we are may be among the most valuable items we can take with us."