25 Survival Items You Forgot to Buy
Most preppers have covered the basics with items they need to survive, including ensuring enough food, water, a first-aid kit, and various tools are all part of their family emergency kit. Still, there are other essential items you may be forgetting about, or should at least consider. I’ll share with you a few that often get overlooked so that you can establish a complete survival kit. Here are 25 survival items that you forgot to buy.
25 Survival Items You Forgot to Buy
1. Duct Tape
Duct tape is one of the most versatile household items on the planet. It’s convenient for quick repairs or creating a splint or shelter using a tarp as listed below. Plastic sheeting may also be paired with duct tape to make a temporary shelter. This may be one of the significant survival items you forgot to buy.
2. Dust Masks
When doctors and other medical services are no longer available, it will be critical for your family to have dust masks to prevent breathing in dust, smoke, or other dangerous fumes. The NIOSH N95 Standard mask even protects from inhaling smoke and may help during a nuclear fallout event.
3. Paper Plates/Cups/Paper Towels
While you have the food covered for an emergency, that doesn’t mean your family has to eat like animals. Don’t forget to buy quality paper plates that will hold your food and keep you from using valuable soap and water to clean dishes.
4. Portable Toilet/Emergency Washing Unit
Your toilet may only flush so many times after a major disaster. It could be useless soon, and if you’re forced to bug out, you’ll be glad you purchased a portable toilet. You could consider making a portable toilet unit like this: Linda’s Make Your Own. Or consider purchasing one: LugaLoo. You’ll also want some toilet paper and/or moist towelettes to help provide needed personal hygiene.
You should also consider purchasing or making an emergency washing unit for your clothes. Here is a homemade one: An Emergency Washing Bucket. I bought a Lavario unit a few years ago and have been happy with it. It will wash blue jeans and sheets!! Check it out: Lavario Washing Unit. (Lavario is still unavailable).
5. Candles/Matches/Solar Lights
Most preppers stock up on flashlights and plenty of batteries, but in a disaster scenario or in the event of an emergency, those extra batteries will only last so long. Be sure to have candles and matches for backup as well. I prefer solar lights as flashlights and lanterns over candles, but I realize candles are cheap. You may want to consider buying solar lights for your yard so you can bring them inside your home when needed. I love having the extra lighting outside as well for security. I purchased these in Southern Utah for security in my backyard: Solar LED Yard Lights
6. Sewing Kit
There may come a day when you can’t just go out and buy a new pair of jeans because your current ones have a massive hole in the knees. A sewing kit along with some fabric and basic sewing skills will go a long way in repairing your family’s clothing.
7. Hand Sanitizer/Vinegar
Keeping your hands clean is always essential, whether dealing with an emergency or not. There may come a time when you don’t have soap or running water available, but your stockpile of hand sanitizer is still capable of handling the job. Vinegar is another excellent item; it can be used for cooking, baking, cleaning, killing weeds, and much more.
8. Tarps
Tarps are great for keeping your supplies dry, as a sun cover while working throughout the day, and for building a shelter so your family can escape the elements at night. It’s always great to have tents in your emergency kit, but tarps can come in handy to provide shelter for additional family members or guests.
9. Mylar Blankets
Mylar blankets do an excellent job of preserving body heat during an emergency. Most of them are also durable and waterproof. Mylar Blankets
10. WD40
Imagine how many obnoxious squeaky doors we’d have to deal with in a world without WD-40. This handy-dandy lubricant can work on many repair and maintenance projects, so I’d stock up on a few cans if I were you.
11. Baby Wipes
A lot of people don’t use baby wipes daily. It’s probably because they don’t have any babies. Yet baby wipes allow you and your family to freshen up when a hot shower is no longer an option. Just so you know, if those baby wipes dry out after a year or so, no worries. Just add water to the container when you open it. Rinse Shower Wipes
12. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an ingredient that can be used for more than just baking. It can also be used as a cleaner and deodorizer.
13. Bug/Animal Repellent/Sunscreen
After a significant disaster, sanitation is one of the first things tossed out the window. This means there will be more critters and bugs roaming around. Be sure to have extra packages and spray canisters of both bug and animal repellent. Don’t forget sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun! Ray mentioned Zanfel Poison Ivy Remedy on their list of preps, too, and they NEED it if they live anywhere: poison ivy, oak, or sumac grow.
14. Diapers/Formula/Baby Food
When it comes to prepping, you have to consider every one of your family members’ needs. If you have an infant, you’ll want a heavy stockpile of diapers, formula, pacifiers, and other essential items like baby food. Kay reminded me about evaporated milk diluted 50% with water as a substitute for the baby formula they used to use about 40 years ago. Be sure to check with your doctor before using this.
15. Floss
You may have your toothpaste and toothbrush situation covered, but flossing is imperative for oral health.
16. Paracord
Paracord is another absolute must for every prepper. You may think it’s a thin rope, but it is a powerful cord and can hold incredible weight. It’s not designed for climbing, but it will work as a tourniquet, fishing line, building snares, and booby traps, and comes in handy when building a temporary shelter with those tarps you purchased.
17. Axe
How else do you plan on obtaining firewood? An axe with a couple of extra handles is a must. It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to buy yourself a chainsaw.
18. Zip Ties
Zip ties plastic ties work great on several things, including building a shelter, repairing clothing, using handcuffs, or making snares. Zip Ties/Cable Ties
19. Pantyhose
Pantyhose can be used other than for leggings. You can filter water and fish, dehydrate food, and more. Check out these 20 survival uses for pantyhose.
20. Mesh Strainer
Don’t forget to have a mesh strainer that you can use to strain fats (not cold ones), oils, and herbs from your food.
21. Condiments
How bored would you be with your meals when you don’t have any ketchup, mustard, mayo, ranch, or hot sauce? Stocking up on these condiments in little packets is a must as you put together your emergency kit.
22. Cast Iron Cookware
Having to cook over a fire will take a toll on your regular cookware. Invest in some cast iron cookware that’s highly durable and will last you forever.
23. Board Games and Toys
Chances may be that your children’s iPads and electronics will no longer work, particularly in a power outage. Keep your kids distracted during a crisis by stocking up on board games and toys that don’t rely on batteries. This is also for Mom and Dad’s sanity so they can focus on solutions for their problems.
24. Playing Cards
Even grown-ups can get bored sometimes. Especially if they don’t have their phones to look at every few minutes. Grab a pack of playing cards to help pass the time.
25. Survival Books
Most preppers aren’t experts in every area when it comes to survival. A few good survival books will have tips you may need and also provide information on plants and herbs that are safe for you to eat. This keeps you from guessing. I’m sure you have many survival books, but in case you missed mine: “Prepare Your Family For Survival” by Linda Loosli
A Few Other Items to Consider:
- A loud whistle so you can let people know where you are.
- A sharp knife to help cut up fire kindling.
- A compass in case you have to evacuate your home. A quality handheld GPS is great too.
- Sturdy water-resistant shoes
- A quality leash if you have a dog to take with you.
- Feminine supplies.
- Various sizes of garbage bags.
- Extra set of car keys in case yours get lost or damaged.
- Ponchos for family members in case you evacuate and are caught in a wet and cold environment.
- Water purification system or at least some water purification tablets.
- Extra warm blankets.
Other Posts You May Like:
100 Items to Store for Survival
How to Be Prepared for Survival
Essential Items Every Household Needs
Final Word
This is by no means an exhaustive list of survival items you may have forgotten to buy, but these are some of the most common ones that are missed. If you’re an experienced prepper, what are some other survival items that the average prepper oftentimes forgets? What survival items you forgot to buy would you add to this list? May God bless this world, Linda.
What a great list! Thank you Linda. I would add sunscreen to the list. I bought a huge bottle from Walmart in SPF50. I also keep one on a shelf for everyone as you walk into the garage so it’s easy to remember and put on before going outside to work in the yard.
A caution on storing baby formula. I just had to toss what I’d bought as it expires very quickly – about six months. I got it almost free with coupons and couldn’t resist. But now I remind any of my children with infants to make sure to have several months worth on hand once they stop nursing. You can store evaporated milk for infants and dilute it 50%. That is what a relative who couldn’t afford formula did 40 years ago with her twins before WIC programs. That was common back in the day when I was a baby too.
Hi Kay, oh my gosh, great tip on the baby formula. I’m going to add the 40-year-old formula on the post, thank you!!! I’m going to add sunscreen as well. Thank you!! Linda
Ohh . . . I forgot insect repellant. I put that on the shelf going outside too. The county does a great job spraying for mosquitoes but you can’t always count on that and sometimes we still get them if there has been standing water somewhere.
Hi Kay, I had insect repellant. Bug/animal repellant, I added sunscreen to that section, thank you!!! Linda
Thanks for this great list, Linda! My 22 yr old son is moving into his first apt in 2 weeks so we’ve been shopping,lol. I offered to get him ‘things’ , so he said cleaning supplies, pots and pans, and groceries. Well, as he put it, ” fill his frig”. Oh, I think this old worrier can do a bit more than that…your list worked well to add to my list, like a flashlight, baking soda (and powder), coffee filters. What is amusing is that he’s Very Used to me having doubles of everything in our pantry and he Ok’d me to do for whatever I think best. I would add Vinegar to your list as it can be used to sanitize/clean. I already had duct tape and a tarp for him on my list but I doubt he realizes I put these on my list because I’m a prepper. I see him asking for groceries/cleaning supplies as a Great Way of making sure he has at least a 30 day supply of foods. And extra essential things for cleaning! He’s also very lucky that his apt has a large side by side refrig. I was a bit worried it might just have a small frig, even smaller freezer. Even tho the frig has the ice maker/filtered water on it, I’m going to buy him a case of bottled water (I will tell him he might not like the taste of city water) , oh, and 3 gals of spring water, just in case he buys a plant. Heehee. Oh, the coffee filters that I forgot on my list? He bought a coffee maker and coffee already but neither of us remembered the filters. He would remember me showing him how to strain water thru these for emergencies. I consider this my opportunity to start my son with ‘just in case’ supplies.
Hi Wendy, oh my gosh, it’s so exciting when they get their first apartment. A full-size frig is awesome, for sure. It really is a blessing we are preppers or prepared mamas, actually. We know what they will want but also what they will need. need. I will add vinegar, thank you!! It’s sad when they start a new chapter in their life but we have taught them to be independent. When I say sad, we will miss seeing them every single day, but it’s critical to them let them fly with their own wings. I wish you both well! Life is so good! Linda
OK, I forgot pantyhose. I didn’t realize they’d be so helpful, but of course, they are. I remember sprouting seeds with pantyhose over the gallon jar mouth back when I was sprouting seeds. They are great for filtering anything that’s large enough to get caught in the mesh. It’s amazing what things you forget.
Hi Debbie, it’s so great when we can recycle items we have stored! I love the trick about sprouting seeds with the pantyhose over the gallon jar! Love it! Linda
Linda, we are gathered on the “family bed,” each of us reading from our laptops or phone…
Granddaughter, 12, is on Epic and Grandson-the-comic, 14, is reading Magnus Chase. We’ve already read scriptures as a family and said our prayers together. Grampa is studying about a heavy-duty winch and how to re-wire it.
I looked up from your list and out of the blue said, Honey, you have paracord, don’t you? And zipties, right? Well I have pantyhose….
“What? Are you guys planning on robbing a bank?”
That’s my boy!
I’m happy to report that we really haven’t forgotten your items, just where we put them!
What I AM remembering is to keep a sense of humor as we slide down the slippery slope these days.
And to be grateful for so many blessings including YOU and all of your hard work and encouragement. Virtual Hugs from S. Oregon, Shirley
Hi Shirley, oh my gosh, you made my day!!! Oh, how I have memories of the “family bed” when my girls were younger and then the grandkids. I got the giggles over “What? Are you guys planning on robbing a bank?” That’s my boy! I LOVE that comment!! I totally agree with you, we must keep a sense of humor right now, and I love to laugh or giggle!! I’m sending virtual hugs right back to you!! Life is so good! Thank you for your kind words, Linda
I guess one good thing is that everyone should have plenty of dust masks now!
Hi Maleah, yes!! We should all lots of have dust masks!! LOL! Linda
Linda, okay, you got me on pantyhose. Back when Jane had some, and after she’d stopped wearing them, I’d use them in the garden to support melons growing up trellises.
I’ll bet most Preppers don’t have Zanfel poison ivy remedy on their list of preps too and they NEED it if they live anywhere poison ivy, oak or sumac grows.
Hi Ray, I learned the panty hose trick from you! I used it on my melons for the same reason. I just addthe the Zanfel to my list, thank you! Linda
Not sure why I didn’t comment when this post came out a few years ago!!
I have all of the above except baby formula/diapers – no infant in my home!!
I have a great niece who does some YouTube videos about “keeping 4 kids alive plus a husband” and she cooks almost all of their food from scratch and stocks her cupboards and freezer well. She lives in tornado alley and recently a tornado hit a town close to their home. FINALLY, finally, she did a video about having a “tote” ready to evacuate. THEY WOULD NOT SURVIVE IN A SHELTER!! That really got me going!! I sent her the link to your blog, Linda!! I think I will also send her a copy of your book!
Love your posts!
Hi Leanne, I started doing YouTubes in 2012, but I’m not that techi with editing videos. I don’t stock diapers anymore, all my grand babies live out of state! Thanks for sending her a book, you are so kind. I think they are cheaper on Barnes and Noble now. Not sure. Linda
Hi Linda, I love reading all your posts! Two things on this one, though… paracord is not for climbing!!! That 550 # weight is a static weight, if you fell even a little ways, or bounced, even a 100 pound person would put much more load on that paracord than it could tolerate. Might work for a hammock, but even then I would use more than one strand…
Also, unless the fats are cold you could strain things out of them, but not them out of say soup… being nit-picky on that one, I suppose. Anyway thanks for all your good info!!!
Hi Jan, not nit-picky, I’m changing both of those. Thank you for your wisdom!! Linda
Dearest Linda,
So many of these things are already “in place”. I love the comments about keeping “kids” entertained. Umm..you forgot someone! Grampa! We have to portable/rechargeable DVD players. Heaven forbid there should be no Audie Murphy, Randolph Scott, Laredo, Wagon Train…well, you all get the idea. The suffering is truly terrible if cable TV goes wonky!
Naturally we all know how the poor dear is going to have to work on a jigsaw puzzle or (gasp!) READ a book! Such a shame. Poor sad Grampa! tsk! tsk!
Hi Cheryl, oh I have the giggles so bad after your comment! SO TRUE! I’m not sure what Mark would do without the sports channels on cable TV! You made my day! Love it! Linda