NOT THE BOX!

Wednesday September 23, 2009

When it comes time to pack up your valuables during an evacuation, I would like to encourage everyone to think outside the box but not use the box. That's right, I said no boxes! Every inch of transport space needs to be filled wisely. It is not wise to give space to disposable items, such as paper boxes and tissue, which will just be thrown away once the evacuation is over.

Instead of using cardboard boxes and tissue papers, you should pack your possessions with materials and containers of value. The packing supplies should be capable of protecting your items during the evacuation and then serve a useful function afterward. Once you realize how foolish the whole tissue, newspapers, and boxes packing thing is, you will begin to see that many unconventional, but perfect, packing materials are in your own home.

Here are a few examples for you to consider:

1. A large painting could be wrapped in a set of sheets and blanket instead of the usual bubble wrap. If your home is burned to the ground at least you have some sheets and a blanket to sleep on.

2. A fragile glass object could be cocooned in layers of clothing rather than tissue paper and secured within a soup pan. If the flood waters engulf your residence at least you have some extra clothing, and a pan for cooking.

3. If you have a stack of framed photographs to evacuate, go to your bathroom and collect your nicest towels along with the matching shower curtain and waste can. Now start layering the framed photos inside the towels and shower curtains and placing them inside the waste can. Should you need a bigger container go back and get a dirty clothes hamper, laundry basket, toy box, etc. A category 5 hurricane might blow the house away but you are still going to have a cute bathroom.

Are you starting to get the idea? I hope so because I promise there is packing genius in my compulsions.

Additional evacuation information is available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com