(Natural News)—Planning for different emergencies such as a civil war or a hurricane may seem stressful. But you can start preparing by doing something as simple as building an emergency prepping kit. Like a bug-out bag for when you need to evacuate after SHTF, an emergency prepping kit will be useful if you plan to bug in, or stay at home, after unexpected disasters or emergencies.
An emergency prepping kit ensures that you have access to a variety of essential supplies, which can help your family stay safe during an emergency.
If you already have emergency prepping kits at home, you can create more kits for family and friends who aren’t preppers so they can get started on their journey to preparedness and self-sufficiency. (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com)
Food and water supplies
Food and water supplies will ensure that you have enough to eat and drink and give you the energy you need to accomplish various tasks that might need doing after a disaster, like repairing damage to your home.
Water
Get at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. You will need clean water for drinking and personal sanitation.
If you have extra space in your garage or stockroom, try to prepare extra water, allocating four gallons per person per day. This should be enough for your hydration, cooking, sanitation and limited laundry needs.
Non-perishable/shelf-stable food
If possible, prepare a three-day supply of non-perishable food, or close to it, such as:
- Canned beans
- Freeze-dried meats, particularly beef (which you can get with 25% off using promo code “veterans25” at our sponsor, Prepper All-Naturals)
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables such as carrots, green beans or peas
- Cereal
- Crackers
- Dried fruits, apricots or raisins
- Dry pasta
- Granola bar
- Nuts or trail mix
- Pasta sauce
- Peanut butte
- Powdered mil
- Seasonings like sugar, salt and pepper
These non-perishable items will provide sustenance without requiring refrigeration.
Manual can opener
Electric can openers are convenient, but when preparing an emergency prepping kit it’s better to include a manual can opener so you can still eat canned food even during a power outage. (Related: Prepping tips: How to prepare a food storage starter kit.)
Water purification tablets or filters
Since clean water is key to your survival, you can benefit from having water purification tablets or filters in your kit.
If the water supply becomes contaminated, you can use items like purification tablets or a portable water filter to make water safe for consumption.
Medical and hygiene supplies
These items are essential for maintaining proper hygiene and for treating minor medical emergencies after SHTF.
Prescription medications
If someone in the family has asthma, diabetes, hypertension or other health conditions that require prescription medications, look into getting extra supplies of those. Our partners at Jase Medical offer survival antibiotics and daily meds – get $10 off with promo code “Rucker10“.
If possible, try to get enough medication that will last them at least several days.
First aid kit
Find a sturdy container and turn it into your first aid kit.
Include the following first aid supplies:
- Adhesive bandages and tape
- Allergy medications
- Anti-diarrhea medications
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandages
- Disinfectants
- Gauze pads
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Don’t forget other supplies for babies or older people.
Basic personal hygiene items
Prepare toiletries like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste so you can maintain proper hygiene even after SHTF.
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You might also need items like dust masks, a solution for your contact lenses and hand sanitizer for disease control during emergencies.
Miscellaneous personal hygiene products
Women in the family will need various feminine hygiene products like pads or tampons. If you have a baby at home, stock up on diapers and baby wipes.
Even if you don’t have an infant at home, moist towelettes or baby wipes can be used to maintain cleanliness when water is scarce. You should also get extra toilet paper and paper towels.
Garbage bags
You will need garbage bags for proper waste disposal and sanitation purposes.
Tools and safety equipment
These items are important for keeping everyone at home safe.
Portable radio
Use a battery-operated or hand-crank radio to stay informed about all emergency updates and news broadcasts. If you have a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio, you can check the weather conditions at all times.
Flashlights
Prepare several flashlights and extra batteries for battery-powered devices. Use the flashlights to provide illumination during power outages.
You can also get solar flashlights that you can charge in window sills when the sun is up.
Whistle
Tiny but important, a whistle can be used as a signaling device when SHTF or to attract attention if you need rescue.
Multi-tool or Swiss army knife
A multi-tool has many uses, and you may need one for cutting, opening, or repair work.
Other useful tools for your tool kit include:
- Ax
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Wrench
- Saw
Shelter and warmth
These items will help you stay warm and shelter you if you have to bug out after a disaster.
Warm clothing
When preparing kits for the family, include a spare change of clothes with items like hats, gloves, socks and additional layers so you can stay warm in inclement weather. If possible, the kits should have a complete change of clothing for each family member.
If your area has severe rain storms, you should also have rain gear in addition to a change of clothes.
A pair of sturdy shoes or boots
Shoes protect your feet, especially if you have to walk in an area with debris or if you need to walk long distances as you bug out.
Plastic sheeting and duct tape
If you need to evacuate, you can use these items for temporary shelter or to seal windows and doors in case of damage.
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Tent or tarpaulin sheet
It’s ideal to have a portable shelter option for outdoor emergencies or evacuation scenarios.
Thermal blankets
Use thermal blankets to stay warm, especially in cold weather conditions. If you live in very cold climates, you may need a sleeping bag for all family members.
Communication and navigation
Maps and other tools in this section can help you navigate if you need to bug out.
Compass and local maps
These navigational tools will help you find your way if you can’t use your GPS or electronic devices.
Signal flares
Use signal flares if you need to signal for help or alert rescue teams to your current location.
Portable battery or hand-crank charger
With a portable battery, you can keep your electronic devices charged for communication and information access.
Emergency/survival whistle
An emergency or survival whistle can be used as an additional signaling device to attract attention after SHTF.
Fire and cooking supplies
These supplies are crucial if you have food in your kits that require cooking.
Matches or lighters
Store matches or lighters in a waterproof container so you can use them even in wet conditions.
Portable stove or camp stove
With a portable stove, you can cook and boil water when traditional methods are unavailable.
Cooking utensils
Your kits should include pots, pans, utensils and other cooking tools for meal preparation. To conserve water, include paper cups and plates along with plastic utensils for multiple meals.
Fire extinguisher
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher to put out small fires and prevent them from spreading.
Pet supplies
If you have pets, they’ll also need food, water and supplies. Their kits should include pet food, a leash, a collar with an ID tag, a pet carrier and additional items specific to your pet like treats and toys.
Stay one step ahead of emergencies and survival scenarios by building your emergency prepping kits today.
Visit Health Ranger Store to learn about a variety of useful prepping products. Watch this video to learn about the benefits of including nascent iodine in your emergency prepping kits. This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- Unlocking the mastery of bucket food storage: Essential for complete preparedness.
- Health Ranger Report: High-grade corrosion-resistant knives co-designed with Dawson Knives a popular choice among backpackers and preppers.
- Sensible prepper rules to follow when building your emergency stockpile.
Sources include:
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
