In talking with many preparedness-minded folks across the country the complexity which people view preparing for some unknown catastrophic apocalypse is often with a high level of complexity. Read that sentence again. What I’m continuously seeing is people that get swept up in the details rather than realizing that for most situations and to make major strides in preparedness the old saying, “Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids” makes a ton of sense.
With that in mind let’s review 25 simple preps that everyone should put back and stock up on now. Oh – this is not a Top 25 and they are not in any order, so, feel free to add a few that you know should be added to the list down below in the comments.
1. Matches – Matches are fantastic for starting fires and are super cheap. Literally, thousands can be put back for around $20. Important: Keep them dry – unless they are waterproof.
2. Peanut Butter – Peanut butter is one of the most calorie-dense foods in existence and it tastes fantastic. High in protein and fat, this popular spread can be used in a variety of recipes as well as simply eaten by the spoonful. Shelf life is not fantastic, but not terrible either. Throw 5 jars in the freezer(ok, make that 12) and smile.
3. Trash Bags – Try going a week without trash bags and you’ll see just how important they are. Put back a few hundred 13-gallon and larger varieties. If the S doesn’t hit the fan you’ll use them regardless. BTW – trash bags are useful for so many purposes beyond trash control. They are really a great survival supply to stock up on and while they are getting more expensive NOW is a great time to grab several boxes.
4. Triple Antibiotic Ointment – I’ve used this fantastic elixir numerous times on cuts and bruises and have seen great results. I have no doubt healing is greatly accelerated. Getting an infection when medical care access is difficult to obtain at best would not be very favorable. Of note – Maine Prepper Girl(who is a nurse), is not a proponent of triple antibiotic ointments. She believes that cuts/scraps/etc. should be cleaned, washed, and covered. Hey – she has lots of experience and training and I’m right. The choice is your of who to believe. 🙂
5. Batteries – Review your inventory of flashlights, optics, etc., and stock up on high-quality lithium-ion and alkaline batteries. After that, a rechargeable battery system that can be utilized via solar is always a good idea.
6. Candles – Head over to Wally World or your local Dollar Tree and get a shoebox full of candles.
7. Walkie Talkies – A simple set of FRS/GMRS walkie talkies are excellent for close-range/neighborhood communications.
8. Extra Magazines – Whatever magazine-fed firearms you have now grab a few extra magazines. They are currently plentiful and depending on firearms fairly inexpensive. Place the order. Palmetto State Armory and Global Ordnance have good selections with fair prices.
9. Fire Extinguisher – Minor fires can turn major in a heartbeat. I recommend an extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, grilling area, and at least one on the 2nd floor if you have one(and one in the basement).
10. Insect Repellant – A bunch of bugs buzzing in your ears and biting on your arms, legs, and neck will make EVERY situation much worse. Grab a few cans of OFF to put back.
11. Tarps – Tarps are extremely versatile and excellent for creating emergency shelter and for covering roof leaks.
12. Manual Can Openers – Although it’s possible to get into a can without a can opener, a manual can opener makes the task so much easier.
13. Propane – A few 20lb tanks can go a long way for cooking. Most of us have gas grills and they serve as a great backup to traditional microwave ovens and stovetops.
14. Canned Goods – Inexpensive and very good shelf life makes canned goods a no-brainer to stack deep.
15. Flashlights – A good flashlight or several good flashlights is a critical part of any preparedness system. Extra batteries must be stocked. This flashlight – follow this link – has proven to e to be of great value.
16. Rainwear – Pretty self-explanatory. Frogg Togg’s are excellent.
17. Gloves – Hands are extremely important and a few pairs of gloves put back will help make sure your hands are available to perform much-needed tasks.
18. Personal Hygiene – There is a reason why 100-200 years ago life expectancy was much less than today. Medical technology is part of it. Sanitation and hygiene are another.
19. Pet Food – Don’t forget extra food for the dog and cat!
20. Tent – God forbid you are forced out of your house and need to find alternative shelter. A good tent can help provide that much-needed shelter when things are far from good.
21. Rope – Cordage of all kinds is so useful and can be applied in so many ways.
22. Jump Starter – An emergency jump starter such as the NOCO GB40 is very handy when a vehicle’s battery just doesn’t have the juice to
23. Gas – Put back enough gas to fill your vehicle at least once.
24. Tire Plug Kit – Keep a tire plug kit on your vehicle. Plugging a tire is fairly easy and can get you back on the road quickly.
25. Water – Keep a few cases of bottled water as well as a few jugs. A few water filters are also a great idea.
Ok, folks – throw out some more down in the comments!
Please give me a hand and share this post on your social media platforms and fellow like-minded folks. Thx!!
Rourke
VEHICLES: Engine Oil and Filters-Transmission Fluid and Brake Fluid.
Serpentine Belt-Formed Radiator Hoses and Straight Hoses.
Tire Pump and Valve Stems.Windshield Wiper Blades.
When the collapse hits many items will be unavailable at any price.Act now.
Under the category of “Impeding Shutdown Shortages” I’ve gotten some good advice. Look at what you were short on (or just couldn’t get) and unless it is perishable, stock up now. It’s stuff you will use anyway, right?
As for the longer term issues: you should be living out of your own warehouse (not just pantry). Replace the items you use when availability and cost allow.
On the tarps they can be used for starting a garden when SHTF happens and there is no gas for the tiller plow.
Lay that tarp down on the area you want to plant in and give it a few months to kill off all the weeds and grass.
While you are waiting for the grass/weed die off, start your seeds in peat pots or in home made paper pots
Remove tarp and expose nice bare ground, all you need now is your shovel, a bit of compost, and your seedlings that should already be growing good in the peat pots.
Make a small hole put some compost in with your plant and water.
No tilling just check on weed growth with a hoe and harvest when ready!
Really good Inverter if you plan on bugging in.Emergency blankets made of mylar.
Food and water, food and water, food and water! Will their cost be going down? A quick staple run to the bulk store suggestion would be 25 pound bag of popcorn (grind to make cornmeal, grits, etc. or just pop for popcorn), 25 pound bag of dry pinto beans, and a 25 pound bag of white rice. Add 2-3 dozen cans of diced tomatoes and canned fruits and vegetables. A no-brainer. Also canning jars and lids. I recently purchased 6 dozen quart jars from a Mennonite lady and will add new lids, but I got the jars for way less than new and they’re all good. If you live in colder climates, figure out how you will heat your home without electricity or gas, then buy accordingly.
I’ve enjoyed your website for a few years now. Since then I’ve moved out of the country, but I still enjoy your articles, knowledge really keeps panic away. To learn how to grow your own food and save seeds is something I teach my kindergarten class every year. For myself I recently invested in a high end mountainbike with specialised tires, and spent this summer learning all the different ways to get around (out of civilisation) where it won’t get crowded (including through the forest, on dirt trails.)
Duct tape. I carry a roll in my car and have 3 or 4 rolls stashed in my shed and house. The most versatile product on the planet!
Make sure your Tomato products are in Glass. The cans deteriorate from the Acid in the Tomatoes and leak……Got the “T” shirt
Great post for beginners. I have been at this for over 30years. First remember 3 is 2 is 1. So lets start with
#1 Have 3 ways to start a fire and know how to use them.
#2 I love PB, keep about 20 18oz. jars. Keep lots of what you normally eat and rotate your inventory.
#3 Great, Trash bags have many uses
#4 Triple antibiotic etc is a good start on a personal FAK
#5 Batteries are getting expensive. If buying new check out Dollar tree . I kept plastic coffee cans at work labeled used Batteries. I tested the discarded Batteries and kept the good ones. I now have hundreds of good used batteries for free. On a related note I have about a dozen solar path lights in my yard that can double as solar battery chargers for AA and AAA batteries and I use them for light if the power is out.
#6 Candles are a double edged sword. They also generate heat that is bad on a hot summer night but good in the winter and they are also a fire hazard.
#7 walkie talkies are great start on emergency comms. I suggest storing them in a EMP proof container when not in use.
#8 yes, lots of LOADED magazines, speed loaders and ammo. Also practice, practice, Practice.
#9 Fire extinguishers. yes lots of them and keep that extra gas away from the house.
#10 Insects a once of prevention. you know the rest.
#11 Very useful.
#12 Manual can openers and other manual tools.
#13 Propane keeps forever. note both gas and diesel engines can be adapted to run on propane.
#14 Canned goods will usually keep for years. I have a 2 ft. x 3 ft. x 6ft. heavy metal shelf that I load with canned goods on one side and remove from the other side to keep things rotated. I mostly only buy items on sale or clearance so I buy in quantity. some weeks I may only spend a few dollars on perishables. other weeks I may have 10 jars of PB that’s on sale.
#15 Flashlights are a must see my note on batteries
#16 Yep, In an emergence grab one of those trash bags
#17 the cheap black gloves at harbor freight are very durable.
#18 yes keep your self clean.
#19 the dog can be trained to hunt and the cat can kill the rodents. when life gets hard the pets need to earn there keep.
#20 tents, lots of options. the kids can sleep in them in the house to help stay warm. For a worst case scenario a wall tent with a small wood stove can do wonders.
#21 Yes
#22 a jump box is good for a lot of uses. Also have a GOOD set of jumper cables, some starting fluid some basic hand tools in the vehicle.
#23 keep some fuel stabilizer for your gas cans. I keep several cans numbered so I can rotate the gas.
#24 A Biggy for me. I have 20 years experience in the tire industry and auto repair. Those little tire plug kits are handy. I have carried them in all my own vehicles but be aware that the tire plug tool breaks easily. I recommend swopping out the plug tool with a good heavy duty unit with replaceable needle tips, and have a jump box with a air pump. sucks to fix your tire but can’t air it up.
#25 At home bottles and jugs for short term supply. A bob for a little longer issue or a pair of food grade buckets with a water filter kit and maybe a screen for the top.
I was a little confused by the title. It sounds as if we’re to put these items back on the shelf and not buy.
Great list. All the articles here are fantastic. People need to get their heads out of their tushies and wake up. Too many are complacent by conveniences such as meal deliveries, ordering groceries online for curbside pick up and take out. I work with someone who told me they only keep a week’s worth of food for meals at a time. The prepper in me blanched at that. They’d be the first to go hungry if shelves empty and transportation stops