PACKING A “BOMBBAG”

Grey River Argus, 31 December 1941, Page 7

PACKING A “BOMBBAG”

By

“Washerwoman”

A word to the womenfolk. Have you packed a “bomb-bag?” If so you are sensible and practical; for it may so happen that at any moment you will have to leave your home at instant notice because of enemy bombing or bombardment. A bag ready packed means that you can take care of yourself for the time being and perhaps help others too. Also, essential papers and personal treasures will not be lost. Keep a bag or suit case where it is “getatable” at a moment’s notice. In the bedroom or in the hall is a good place. See that it locks properly and that the keys are attached to the handle. When packing it leave enough space in which to put your hand-bag or day-bag which holds the other part of your personal possessions which can be carried about. Now what is to go into the bag? Ideas will differ of course, but certain things will be considered essential by all bag-packers. A change of underwear, for instance, a pair of shoes, slippers, a pair of warm stockings, woolly scarf, dressing gown, an extra coat or dress according to space. For the toilet, hair brush, 1 soap, tooth brush, etc., unless a complete make-up is included in the hand-bag which will take its place eventually in your suit case. Collect all important papers such as dolebooks, insurance policies, inventory of furniture, war savings certificates and bank-books, hire-purchase papers, rent book, birth certificates, etc. Tie them together and consign them to a corner of the bag. You may be thankful later. Other items difficult to thing of and collect at a moment's notice are keys, jewellery, a vacumn flask, small first-aid outfit, chewing-gum, sweets, your current knitting, money, fountain pen, pins, any medicine or prescription for same. Pack these things each night. Does this list frighten you? It may sound very heavy but actually, once things are packed they will not appear very fearsome and a load will be off your mind. In a crisis the precaution of keeping a bag ready-packed will make all the difference between sheer helplessness and a grateful feeling of being prepared for any emergency. Get busy on that “Bomb-bag” today.