A Dozen Items That Everyone Should Be Stockpiling
Photo: wallpapersworldbd
I know it’s hard to consider stockpiling while the economy is so bad. Often times it is hard to make ends meet month to month and then we tell you to be prepared both financially and with items you will need in a crisis. It seems impossible. But if you do just a little every month it is doable. Some of the items that are most important and that will not only serve you well in chaos but can be affordable if done just a little at a time and where a little at a time can be just enough to carry you through. Purchase from a category every month and soon you will find yourself more prepared than you ever believed you would be.
Some are cheaper by the case, but each CAN be purchased one at a time. (Click on the item for an example with average costs.)
1 Water is your number one stockpile item. It is necessary for all aspects of life from hygiene to hydration. You can stockpile bottled water and I would recommend you do have at least a case on hand. When it needs to be recycled as no longer safe to drink you can use those stored bottles in your washer or for cleaning so it won’t go to waste.
Water purification tablets: If you are limited on space. I could be really difficult to bug out with a case of water on your back! It is much easier to carry water purification tablets and make just about any water you are able to locate usable.
Drinking Water Test Kit: Make sure the water you have access to is safe to drink. It could look good and be contaminated. Small and easy to carry if you’re bugging out.
Concentrated Regular Bleach: One method of making the water you have safe. 8 drops of bleach to a gallon of water.
Personal Water Filter Filters any water you are able to locate, making it safe to drink. Great in your auto kit, bug out bag or hiking pack.
2 Hygiene products. Sickness is most often spread by poor hygiene during the chaos. This includes oral hygiene.
Tooth Brushes: Oral health is extremely important as a connection to the rest of your bodies well being. Poor dental health can lead to everything from heart to brain issues.
Tooth paste: I can’t imagine having a tooth ache during a SHTF event!.
Reusable feminine products: Re-usable is best. But tampons and pads can have a duel use for hygiene and medical purposes.
Unscented body wash: Unscented is best as smells can give us away in hiding, nor do most men want to smell like roses or other perfumed products.
Unscented shampoo: Once again unscented for the reasons listed above but also because scented products could cause allergic reactions in some people. Even if they don’t for you, hygiene items will also be good barter items
Nail clippers: Hang nails can be very painful and torn nails can also lead to infections Especially true in scenarios when you would be required to work with your hands.
3 Fire : You should have several methods of fire starting. But as we all know some methods are easier than others! Necessary for warmth, light and cooking.
Bic lighters: The saying of ‘just flick your bic’ could be extremely helpful in almost any survival scenario where you need fire. Much easier than the typical bush craft methods. Especially if your fire starting skills are weak.
Strike anywhere matches: If your choice of fire starting includes matches, these are much more practical than a regular book or box. They can be struck on any rough surface rather than requiring the strike plate of the packaging.
Unscented candles: For keeping light, and if necessary a fire going as you are on the move and can’t or would prefer not to restart a fire when stopping again as you make your way. Unscented to prevent allergies and to prevent the lingering smell after the flame has been extinguished. (Particularly important if you are in hiding)
Lamp wick: To keep those oil lamps in use! Much preferred over candles for safety and brightness.
4 Fuel: Whether it is to cook, heat or provide light, or get around fuel will be needed.
Propane tanks: I always have several of the smaller tanks on hand. I can not even count the times I have set the propane grill on my deck during storms when my power was out and the storm not conducive to a camp fire or even a charcoal fire for cooking.
Unscented smokeless lamp oil: As stated earlier much safer and brighter than candles. But they do require refueling!
Gas cans (+gas): Especially helpful if bugging out and gas stations are either packed or closed.
Fuel stabilizer: Keep your stored fuel usable when you need it!
5 Batteries for all those useful battery operated gadgets.
A various sizes even if you don’t have gadgets that use that size at the time of the emergency can be useful for gear you might be gifted or able to scavenge after the initial crisis. They will also make great barter items.
6 Repair Materials Things break during the best of times and during crisis it is even more likely. Lots of glue, hand tools, tapes and staples.
Gorilla glue: Can hold together almost anything
Wood glue: Especially good to have if you will be building or repairing wood items
Non-reflective gaffer tape: Non reflective helps prevent you from inadvertently signaling where you are!
Duct tape: For repairs of darn near everything and sealing in for an isolation room or your home
Hand tool kit: Along with the knowledge of how to use them. If you have access to power don’t waste it!
Trash Bags: Can be used as temporary tarps, carry alls, disposing of trash, porta potty liners, temp black out covers etc.
Work Gloves: You will be using your hands in a more primitive manner and will require protection for them
7 Apparel Care You will have to make due with what you have, you won’t be able to run to the store to replace.
Assorted Safety Pins: Can be used as replacement buttons, broken zippers, resizing clothing etc..
Knitting Needles Learn to make your own, you can even use old items by unraveling and making new
Crochet Hooks Especially nice for making hats, scarves and mittens
Darning Stitching Sewing Thread specialized thread will keep your socks and sweaters usable longer
Darning Needles A larger needle used with darning thread
Fabric Adhesive: For quick fixes, attaching patches and even hemming. Especially good for the novice
Reusable Rain Ponchos: Being wet isn’t just uncomfortable but dangerous for your health
Hand Held Sewing Machine: Small enough to be easily carried and for all kinds of mending
Socks: Get those best suited for your local weather, but remember in some kinds of scenarios the weather your facing could change drastically. Try to never wear wet socks for any length of time. Your foot health will be especially important in a bug out scenario so have several pairs.
8 First aid items There will be limited access to first responders, doctors, clinics or hospitals. You will be the responder! Get what supplies you are able now and learn how and when to use them
Bismuth: (generic pepto) During a crisis you will probably be eating differently than normal and will be under a great amount of stress. This can really mess with your digestion and the last thing you want or need is the side effects of bad digestion.
Adhesive Bandages Variety Pack: There will be injuries of all sizes. Covering even the smallest wound will assist with preventing infection.
Insect Repellent Towelettes: Light weight and easy to carry.
Micropore Paper Tape: Help hold those bandages or makeshift splits attached without causing further injury to the skin with regular tape.
Disposable Face Masks: It doesn’t matter if the crisis is a pandemic or not you want to protect yourself from viruses and from anything floating in the air due to the disaster like concrete dust or smoke etc..
Gloves, Latex Free: (you don’t know who you might be working on or who could be working on you wearing the gloves protects the provider and latex free avoids a latex allergic reaction by either party)
Tweezers: For those little jobs like pulling out glass, wood or other splinter type injuries.
Isopropyl Alcohol: To be used for cleaning the 1st aid tools you use for the safety of the patients.
Hydrogen Peroxide To disinfect wounds
Povidone Iodine To disinfect wounds
Neosporin To assist in preventing a wound from becoming infected
Potassium Iodide Tablets Radiation protection for your thyroid
Allergy Ultratabs You and others in your group could very possibly be exposed to both foods and environmental factors that can cause allergic reactions. Sneezing or itching could be difficult for both the individual and the group.
Aspirin Regular dosage for adult swelling and pain, low dosage for adults with heart/clotting issues and for children
First Aid Medical Kit An easily carried smaller medical kit that can be carried on shorter trips away from the bug out or bug in location.
Mole skin Helps prevent and ease foot blistering
9 Shelter Exposure is your biggest danger in times of crisis and will end you even faster than lack of water.
Concentrated Regular Bleach: Disinfecting your living quarters will vastly reduce your risk of illness
Trash Bags: Uses for everything from garbage, luggage, and even black out curtains and temporary leak coverage
Waterproof Poly Tarp: 100s of uses from covering damaged shelter doors or window to making a temporary shelter.
Emergency Blanket: Light weight and easy to carry. They do actually work. I used one while temporarily stranded during the winter in my vehicle. I advise purchasing these in bulk as they are inexpensive, have other uses, and are very easy to carry. I keep several with each kit and in each vehicle.
10 Defense
FIXED BLADE KNIFE: Make sure that you check your local laws to insure whatever knife you choose is legal where you are.
Ammunition: ( local shops )
Rifle or hand gun (local shops) As soon as you make the purchase take a gun safety course and make the time to learn your weapon, practicing until you are completely comfortable using it.
Crossbow If a firearm isn’t legal where you are this could be an option. Also useful for saving on ammunition when hunting small game or when you need to hunt stealthily. Again check your local laws before making a purchase.
Crossbow Arrows Insure you purchase the correct arrows for the bow you purchase.
Replacement String In the proper weight for your bow
11 Pet care If you have “furry family” they require emergency supplies as well.
Dry Dog Food: I always recommend dry food because it is easier to break down into smaller packages to be put in the dog’s bug out bag or if you are carrying it is lighter than the cans.
Cat Food: I purchase canned food for my cat’s emergency pack because the cans are so small they fit nicely into the dog’s bug out bag (my cat will refuse to move with a cat pack on him, so my dog carries both his own and the cat’s supplies) Unlike the dog who eats more the weight is not a factor with the cat food. Canned cat food also works better in traps than does dog food so it can be used as bait once you have settled into a location when the cat can hunt for him/herself.
Flea and Tick Control for cats: Fleas and ticks carry diseases that can be passed onto humans and if you have a younger or smaller cat a flea infection can actually be deadly
Flea and Tick Control for dogs: Again fleas and ticks can carry deadly viruses
Dog Muzzle Especially important if you need your dog to be quiet during a crisis. Much smaller and easy to carry than a carrier crate particularly for a large dog. You would be more likely to be allowed to bring your dog in with you if find yourself needing to enter a shelter or take shelter with others if your uncrated dog is muzzled.
Leash: I recommend a retractable leash as it allows you to keep the dog as close as you might want or further away if needed without tangling while you are in a hurry and perhaps climbing over debris. I recommend it attached to a harness for cat for the same reasons.
12 Paper Products
Bath Tissue: No explanation needed!
Disposable Shop Towels: Shop towels stand up better than do kitchen paper towels
Plate 9 Paper: Especially helpful at the start of a crisis when water for dishwashing may not be available and they can be recycled into a fire for heat or cooking.
Plastic utensils (available at grocery marts or dollar stores locally) again easy to dispose of if dishwashing is not practical and easy to throw a few into each bug out bag instead of your kitchen flatware.
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Photo: wallpapersworldbd
