The snow flies like ash
Death of water and fire
The sky's white remains
Brigid
I'm always amazed, when there is a report of a snowstorm, hurricane etc, how the stores all run out of basic supplies, because people decide only then to have extras on hand.Death of water and fire
The sky's white remains
Brigid
I've got food for six months for a family, or a year for the dog and I. It might be boring food but it will supply amino acids and protein. It's portable, because if there were a major disaster, I would likely not be holing up near the big city.
That being said, there are things that everyone should think about having on hand, for use, for bartering when things are bad for all. Face it, you may know someone that has a safe harbor for you if there's a natural disaster bearing down on your neck of the woods, but if you just show up with only an extra mouth or two to feed, you're not likely to met with open arms unless it's family (who like you).
How many of these items do YOU have in your preparedness stores (usable, in good condition and easy to get at in one central location) in addition to food and grains and water for several weeks or more and a well stocked first aid kit:
Ace bandages (extra from ones in first aid kit) with Velcro closure. Elastic thigh strap (from here) which can be used as a bandage tie or tourniquet.to
Aluminum Foil - many uses, not just barter and making that hat your neighbor thinks you wear
Antibiotics - medication isn't something you can easily or legally stock up on but there are are sources for antibiotics you can take advantage of now and have on hand, you know, for your animals
Antibacterial Wipes - will save water, if you have a little one, ad baby wipes as well
Bag it! Garbage bags, and smaller zip lock type bags.And don't forget tie wraps, lots of them. Preferably don't throw in the cart with a copy of Fifty Shades of Grey, or folks will talk.
Batteries - lots of them, and like the matches, keep them dry, don't forget solar batteries, and chargers. Pick the furthest out sell by date you can find, even if it costs a bit more.
Bicycle - tire, tubes, pump, chain
Body Armor - don't laugh, if there is a societal collapse or major riot or you have to flee a high crime area, this might be a life saver with bullets from both friendly and unfriendly fire ricocheting off things. Once you realize you need some Kevlar there won't be any available. Besides the vests make a great substitute for a sports bra if you're not built like a waif.
Candles - those four little scented things around your tub are going to last you about a day after the lights go out. Try and find some good beeswax candles. Not only do they produce the brightest flame of any candle, they burn about 3 times longer than paraffin candles and do not give off smoke or soot like paraffin. Pure beeswas candles also give off negative ions that attach themselves to pullutants in the air, that then become heavy and fall to the ground, keeping the air cleaner. Beeswax is available in sheets, the family, kids included can make the candles, you simply cut, add a wick, roll the beeswax up and it's ready to use or you can purchase them online (see link under toiletries for beeswax products that I use in my home).
Can Opener - the hand kind. You're going to feel pretty silly with that electric one, there in the dark. Also throw in a whisk, a ladle, spatula, etc.
Candy (hard), liquor, cigarettes, tea, coffee. And don't forget the Vodka In addition to consumption, check out all of these other uses for Vodka.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm - battery powered
Care for a little fire scarecrow? - be prepared to build one, lighters, matches , have it, keep it dry.
Cast Iron Cookware and a Dutch Oven.
Clothes Pins/Lines/Hangars
Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
Condiments and Spices - Garlic, Old Bay, , Italian seasoning blend, salt and various peppers, balsamic and plain vinegars, and even an MRE is better with hot sauce
Condoms -unless you and your neighbor who barters want to name the next baby after the hurricane
Cookstove - propane, Coleman and kerosene
Disposable Razors and razor blades.
Drink Mix - makes the water less boring, and helps with any bleach taste from rough purification.
DUCT TAPE
Electrical tape
Eyeglass repair kit
Fire Extinguisher - plus a coffee can of baking soda for the cook area.
Fishing Supplies (if you don't fish, a nice barter item)
First Aid extras (pain and menstrual cramp relievers, cold/flu medicines, ointments, calamine lotion, etc).
Fuel - for anything you might be using and that includes seasoned firewood, books written by politicians and propane for small appliances ( and extra containers for your fuels.)
Generator(s) - you have to weigh the benefit versus fuel use and the draw of attention to where you are hunkered down, but get the best one you can for your money if you make that choice
Gloves - for warmth and protection, including lightweight disposable types that come many to a box
Gortex - and other warm clothes are your friend, especially those wool socks that I bet you only have two pairs of. Water resistant and water proof jackets and overcoats, boots, well made hiking shoes, and waterproofing chemicals and sprays to go with them. Don't just have them, know how to repair them.
Grain Grinder - non electric
Hand Warmers
Handkerchiefs
Hand Sanitizer
Insect Repellent, and sprays for flying insect kills (and medication for bites for those with bad aim)
Insulated Ice Chest - to help preserve and store food
Knitting and crochet needles and yarn
Lantern Hangers
Laundry Detergent
Long Shelf Life Food (extra from grain, milk, bean and protein stores)- it won't take long for the locals to thin out Bambi.
Mantles - Aladdin, Coleman, long term light use more difficult without these
Mini Heater Head - (Propane) needed to heat a room
Matches - preferably "strike anywhere", the boxed wooden ones will be the first to go
Mousetraps, Rat Traps, and Roach Motels - it's about disease, folks
Mylar Blankets and tents
Paracord
Paraffin Wax
Pet Food and Medications - extra newspaper and bags for waste and/or kitty litter if stuck indoors
Plastic Containers - from small for leftovers to a couple garbage pails.
Plates/Cups/Utensils (include as much paper as you have room for as water may be at a premium).
Pointy! - knives, fixed blades, kitchen type, box cutters and Bandage scissors (the blunt-tipped kind that can cut through a dime or a fruitcake)
Portable Toilet
Propane Cylinder Handle Holder - (small canister use without this is dangerous)
Reading glasses
Salt - Prior to household refrigerators and freezers, salt was one of the main preservatives of meats, you can also make that circle of it if you forget the insect stuff and have to deal with Beelzebug.
Sewing and mending supplies, including extra safety pins, buttons, fasteners and good quality scissors and a pair of tweezers
Sleeping Bags and Blankets, Pillows, Mats
Spray and Squirt Bottles (empty)
Super Glue
Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes.
Thigh Bandage - can also be used as tourniquet . This is in addition to what is in first aid kit.
Tools - the basics can save a life, bowsaw, axes, hatches, bolt cutters, vice grips, hammer, pliers, boards and nails, screws and bolts, wedges, honing oil.
Toiletries, toothpaste, dental floss, SOAP, bleach, shampoo and sanitary supplies for the women and diapers for babies, anti fungal foot cream and powder (wet itchy feet would make this experience even more miserable)., fingernail clippers. One of my favorite multi-purpose products for soap (for hair and skin) and thick beeswax cream to protect and heal and provide SFF15 protection from the beeswax is Morningsong Gardens. Their products are antibacterial, and antifungal and are available in small AND larger containers that will last many months. Clean is important, a bacterial infection in some circumstances could kill you instead of giving you an upset tummy.
Vegetable Oil - for cooking without burning your precious food supplies
Vitamins - including dried herbs that heal
Washboard, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
Water purification supplies, including non scented bleach. Even having some some simple water filters like LifeStraw or gravity fed systems like the PointONE could be very useful.
Water Containers - small clear food grade plastic only
Work boots - waterproof or a means to make them so
WD 40, Hoppes No. 9 and Lip Gloss - sorry, I can't live without them.
Writing paper, pencils, pens, journals, solar calculator
