I don’t think there’s a particular reason to run out and finish off your prep list, but I needed some quick content. Grandkids have been a bit under the weather and I’m in a rush. 🙂
This list has floated around for years, but I encountered it again about a week ago and thought it might provoke some thought. Not everyone would need all of this, but it’s good to go over and see if anything there provokes some thought.
I might use this as a topic starter later and give you my thought on each.
100 Items You Need That Disappear First During War (or other panic situation)
- Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy…target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
- Water Filters/Purifiers
- Portable Toilets
- Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 – 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
- Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
- Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
- Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
- Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
- Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
- Rice – Beans – Wheat
- Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
- Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
- Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY – note – food grade if for drinking.
- Mini Heater head (Propane) (Without this item, propane won’t heat a room.)
- Grain Grinder (Non-electric)
- Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.
- Survival Guide Book.
- Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
- Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
- Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
- Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
- Vitamins
- Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
- Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
- Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
- Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
- Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
- Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
- Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
- Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
- Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
- Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
- Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
- Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
- Tuna Fish (in oil)
- Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
- First aid kits
- Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
- Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
- Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
- Flour, yeast & salt
- Matches. {“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
- Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
- Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
- Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
- Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
- Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
- Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
- Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
- Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
- Fishing supplies/tools
- Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
- Duct Tape
- Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
- Candles
- Laundry Detergent (liquid)
- Backpacks, Duffel Bags
- Garden tools & supplies
- Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
- Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
- Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
- Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
- Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
- Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
- Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
- Board Games, Cards, Dice
- d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
- Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
- Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
- Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
- Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
- Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
- Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
- Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
- Reading glasses
- Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
- “Survival-in-a-Can”
- Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
- Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
- Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
- Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
- Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
- Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
- Lumber (all types)
- Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
- Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
- Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
- Lantern Hangers
- Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
- Teas
- Coffee
- Cigarettes
- Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
- Paraffin wax
- Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
- Chewing gum/candies
- Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
- Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
- Goats/chickens
That last bullet point seems a bit over-simplified: goats/chickens.
I suspect some substantial infrastructure must be in place before obtaining goats/chickens. “What, I have to feed ’em? Dammit!”
Full disclosure: I am a goat expert in that I was loaned one a long time ago. The experience was not entirely unpleasant; kinda like having a large hooved kitty that can, nay, must be milked daily.