Revealing the Special Items in City-Coster's Emergency Bags

Today, and September 1st annually, is Disaster Prevention Day in Japan. Last year, I asked City-cost members what unusual items they keep in their emergency bags, beyond the standard food, water and first-aid basics. The answers were wonderfully creative, thoughtful and useful. Here's a roundup of what people shared. 

Entertainment & Stress Relief Items

City-cost members emphasized the importance of keeping spirits up during long evacuations or shelter stays.

• Sidewalk chalk for hopscotch, twister, and other games to keep people active and distracted (Chalk can also come in useful for marking lines or queues in evacuation centers)
• Pens, pencils, and an A4 notepad for writing, journaling, or sharing with others, a great outlet for stress
• Card games to stay occupied when usual entertainment isn’t available
• Stickers and craft supplies to comfort anxious children in evacuation centers
• Knitting, perfect for passing time and finally finishing work in progress
• Mini board‑game pack with seven games in a slice‑of‑bread‑sized kit 

Items for Social Connection

Tonetoedo shared something wonderful and unexpected - cigarettes in the emergency kit; not for themselves, but because lending a cigarette can calm nerves and even start conversations in tense situations.

Health & Personal Needs

A few people highlighted the importance of medical preparedness:

• Prescription medications; several days’ worth stored in the emergency bag
• Allergy medicine for those who rely on it daily or seasonally

While emergency kits usually focus on survival essentials, City‑Cost members reminded us that comfort, distraction, creativity, and community matter just as much. A little chalk, a deck of cards, or a notebook can make a world of difference when stress runs high and hours stretch long.

If you’re updating your own emergency bag this year, consider adding one or two of these thoughtful extras; they might help you, your family, or even someone you meet along the way.