Ammo Gun related equipment (i.e., magazines) Fuel (propane, charcoal, wood, etc.) Soap and shampoo Toliet paper and female hygene first aid (N95 masks, disinfectants, etc.) blankets and sleeping bags BOB's and GHB's Emergency cash (precious metals)
TOOLS (debris removal, cutting of stuff such as rebar and tree branches, and general clean up)
Food storage is very important, but there are things to put in your storage you may not think of when planning. Once you have planned the amount of grains, vegetables, and cooking essentials you need for your food storage you may want to think about non-food items that your family uses. During an emergency, items such as toilet paper may feel nearly as important to your family as food. The following is a list of items to consider:
Kitchen Accessories
Wheat grinder (electric and hand operated, in case of no electricity)
Towels/rags (paper and cloth)
Plastic wrap/aluminum foil
Re-closeable baggies
Plastic containers w/ lids (butter bins, etc.)
Dish soap, laundry detergent
Favorite spices (rotate annually)
Condimentsketchup, syrup, jelly, etc. (rotate annually)
Garden seeds (several cans for replenishing or exchanging)
Water barrels, siphon pump, portable water containers
Gum, hard candy, other comfort foods
Activity games, cards, paperback books
Old clothes for outside labor
Filter for replenishing your water supply
Wonder Washer (hand operated clothes washer)
Candles, lantern, or other light source
There are also special needs that members of your family may have. Dont forget to plan for those needs as well. For example, if you have a baby, you may have already thought of extra formula in your food storage but what about diapers or diaper wipes and other miscellaneous items on hand. The best way to keep a sufficient supply of your baby needs is to always be ahead of your diaper, formula and other baby needs purchasing. This process needs to account for size or other changes that may occur. Buy a few packages of diapers when theyre on sale, or buy a case of formula and baby food instead of just a can at a time. You may also want to include crackers or other finger foods.
Consider special dietary needs that your family may have. Maybe you have a diabetic or a lactose intolerant member of your family. Store foods that they may eat and that they will enjoy eating as well. Also, keep enough insulin and other medications on hand if needed.
Storage of just food can be very beneficial for you in a time of need, but there are little things to remember that may make life a little more convenient especially in an emergency situation. Plus, items such as paper towels, garbage sacks are easy to store because they dont spoil and can be set aside and forgotten. There are many more things to consider than what is on this list. Take into consideration your area, climate, and who you are preparing for. Spend time now to plan wisely and to decide what items you will need to take care of your family
Do you have any financial interest in those food companies?
Those are good lists to those who have the means and/or space. For me, lists like that are goals that I can only achieve a little at a time. My main goal is to complete the command for a year's supply of food, which will help in the most likely reason for needing it, devastating medical bills and/or job loss.
But, if someone living on student loans is able to make progress on his food storage, then people with real jobs can do so as well.
Eventually when I am established in my career, I may have a completely self-sufficient homestead, solar and wind powered, deep water wells, gardens, etc. But that isn't something that everyone will be able to obtain.
Do you have any financial interest in those food companies?
Emergency preparedness and food storage are a way of life. Start now and someday you will be at a point where you are making lists like these. Lists are food for thought and help make people think about preparedness issues.
and if finances are an issue you start out with what you can afford. Everyone can afford a little. Be creative when space is an issue. 1/3 of our ward live in condos and I've found ways that they can store long term foods and not ruin the ability to still live in their homes.
I think if I were young and single with no dependents, I'd be honing some skills, too. Like taking a weeklong survival course, shooting and keeping myself in top shape physically. Also what I find incredibly awesome about MrCoco is his ability to fix stuff. He can take a few non-working snowblowers, let's say, and between them all get one to work. For like $15 from the DI. He can put together computers, such as the one I'm on now with around $30 of parts mainly from the DI. It does add to the "junk factor" but I am grateful he is so resourceful and innovative. If something goes wrong, he can fix it. He can rig up a stationary bike generator if he has to. (The circa 1970 bike sits in the garage.)
I'd also like to get *my own* real nice pocketknife. I know, I know... we have them around here.. but I want my own. And maybe a hatchet. I've already got a big cross-section of tree trunk for practicing.
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Life is tough but it's tougher if you're stupid. -John Wayne
mirk, those lists sound about right. I have been pretty active in completing my own such lists. Some things I would for particular items:
-surgical kit/stitches (can get through Emergency Essentials) -anti-biotic cremes, tend to be more effective at absorbtion than ointments -knives, real solid hunting/combat ones, Glock knives are great and inexpensive -dental sealer for cavities -birth control (pills and condoms) -water purifiers, not the flimsy stuff, but serious equipment, say like the Katadyn combi system.
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Lo, there I see my mother, my sisters, my brothers Lo, there I see the line of my people back to the beginning Lo, they call to me, they bid me take my place among them In the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live...forever
mirk, those lists sound about right. I have been pretty active in completing my own such lists. Some things I would for particular items:
-surgical kit/stitches (can get through Emergency Essentials) -anti-biotic cremes, tend to be more effective at absorbtion than ointments -knives, real solid hunting/combat ones, Glock knives are great and inexpensive -dental sealer for cavities -birth control (pills and condoms) -water purifiers, not the flimsy stuff, but serious equipment, say like the Katadyn combi system.
Yes, I always buy cremes instead of ointments. Less mess too.