In an emergency with only five minutes to evacuate, what do you choose to save?
The items you decide on can reveal a lot about your priorities, and a new survey has revealed what different generations would save first.
A survey by Talker Research questioned 2,000 Americans split evenly by generation, asking participants to imagine they had just five minutes to evacuate their home in an emergency.
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While cellphones and wallets were common options across the generations, for Gen Z (born 1997-2012), there were very particular themes.
Tech First, Heirlooms Later
According to the survey, 35 percent of Gen Zers would choose to grab their laptop during an evacuation. Another 35 percent would pick up a pair of shoes. This compares to a lower 30 percent who would pick up prescription medications.
These results support the idea that Gen Z, more than other generations, values tech and their ability to stay connected—even in a crisis. This is something society has seen firsthand in recent years, too.
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For example, in 2022 when war in Ukraine broke out, it wasn't long before young people on the ground started sharing their experiences of the conflict on social media. Similarly, content including photographs and videos from the Israel-Hamas war is ongoing across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms.
Shoes, on the other hand, could represent either a practical readiness to move quickly, or a love for the latest must-have sneakers. Possible, as one in three Gen Zers and millennials admit to having a shopping addiction.
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For other generations, things were a little more traditional. Millennials (born 1981-1996) also value their technology, but are more likely than Gen Z to include prescription medications among their top items.
Generation X (born between 1965-1980) is the least likely to take clothing with them (33 percent) and is more likely to take family photo albums (43 percent).
Meanwhile, baby boomers (born 1965-1980) are more likely to grab their own jewelry, such as engagement rings or wedding bands, than they are to take water (21 percent) or food (17 percent) on their way out the door.
When asked about the most important item in their home—aside from people and pets—it was clear that Americans across the generations cling to sentimental items.
Respondents had unique answers for things they would grab, such as "the heart necklace that was my grandmother's," "the urns, [one] holding my husband, the other holding my son," "the flag from my father's funeral for his service in the military" and even a "painting of a dog that my mom did when I was a kid."
In order to keep those items forever, two in five respondents would sleep on the floor for the rest of their lives, while 11 percent would happily drain their entire back account. While one in five millennials would even forgo marriage entirely if it meant they would never lose their most important items.
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans split evenly by generation (500 Gen Z, 500 millennials 500 Gen X and 500 baby boomers); the survey was commissioned by Master Lock and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between August 15 and August 21, 2024.
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