Prepping Items to Stock
Today, it’s all about prepping items to stock. When it comes to prepping, you can never be too prepared. So who cares if your friends and family think of you as crazy because you have 15 bottles of hand sanitizer stocked away and enough toothpaste and toothbrushes to take care of an entire neighborhood.
While you may indeed have an excessive stockpile of a particular item that your family will never use in a single lifetime, it does provide you with something that you can barter with when you’re in desperate need of something else after SHTF. These are all essential prepping items that everyone should consider stocking for emergencies.
Related Topic: 8 Rational Reasons to Prepare
Related Topic: How to Prepare for a National Emergency
Related Topic: 25 Prepping Items to Hoard
Prepping Items to Stock
Basic Needs
Water
Probably the most crucial item that you should start stocking up on right now would be water. Your family would only last a few days without it. You’re going to want to collect a minimum of one gallon of water per person, per day, for at least a 72 hour period. So if you have 4 people in your family, that’s 12 gallons of water for those three days of storage. That’s what the American Red Cross recommends.
But I’d encourage you to keep going, making your next goal to collect 2 week’s worth of water for your family. That’s 56 gallons of water! Once you’ve reached that goal, why stop there? Yet this will begin to take up a ton of space, so you may want to think about getting a 55-gallon water barrel or something even larger to store your water supply.
Please remember I recommend four gallons of water per person per day. I get thirsty just thinking about only having one gallon of water per day, but that’s how I roll. Work for the goal of one gallon per person per day as a start, then add from there to make sure you have enough water to satisfy the needs of your family based on hygiene, good health, and hydration.
Garden
I’m very concerned about our food chain right now. I highly recommend starting a garden, if you haven’t already. If you are lucky enough to be able to walk or drive to a nearby Farmer’s Market, that is awesome. You can grow food in pots, containers for decks, or on your porch. Whatever you can grow is better than not having anything at all. In case you missed this post, How to Start a Garden or How To Plant Vegetables On Your Deck
This is where I buy my garden seeds: SeedsNow
Food
It’s safe to say that food follows right behind water when it comes to items that you need to have a sufficient stockpile. You can never have too much, just as long as you’re rotating it out every 6 months or so. Stock up on foods that are shelf-stable and last for longer periods of time. Some of the following food items on this list would be a luxury that most people would be willing to trade almost anything for, so don’t fret if you think you’re a bit heavy on any of them:
- Prepackaged meals (Meals like mac n cheese and Hamburger Helper that simply require adding water)
- Rice
- Dry Beans
- Dried fruits
- Vinegar
- Cooking oil
- Sugar
- Flour
- Spices
- Nuts
- Jerky
- Energy bars
- Chocolate
- Comfort foods (This isn’t a necessity but it will certainly help your family psychologically)
Essential Equipment
Flashlights
Flashlights will be one of the most essential items to have once it’s nighttime, and unfortunately, some people will be without them. You can go to the dollar store and stock up on a bunch of flashlights that will only cost you a few dollars. An LED-Headlamp or a Maglite LED would be nice for your own family’s personal use. Karl reminded me that we need Old-Style Flashlights that use an incandescent bulb.
Batteries
A significant stock of batteries is critical for everyone since they will be needed during an emergency and would especially be a hot commodity that you could barter with. They’ll be needed for your radio, flashlights, and other devices. If you do happen to collect a boatload of them, be sure to store them in a dry, cool place. Be sure to have a variety of sizes since not all devices use the same size or voltage.
Portable Water Filters
If your emergency carries on for a number of weeks and your drinking water supply is coming to an end, it will be nice to have several portable water filters that you can use to filter the water from most any water source. A LifeStraw is extremely lightweight and takes up very little space. They also don’t cost very much for the amount of filtered water they can deliver, so get yourself a number of these for each one of your family members. Another one I like is the Berkey Sports Bottle. The AquaMira is a good one as well.
Solar Power Bank
A solar power bank is nice to have because if your power goes out for a long period of time, you’ll be needing a way to keep your phone and other electrical devices working. They don’t require batteries and instead use the sun in order to charge your electronics. I’d encourage you to have a few of these that you can use to barter with if your situation ever became bad enough.
Tools
Useful tools that you will want to have for an emergency include can openers, multi-tools, pliers, screwdrivers, as well as a good knife. You can never have too many tools lying around. Be sure to have the tools easily accessible so you’re not looking for them at the last minute.
Fuel
Whether it’s gasoline, propane, kerosene, butane, or campfire fuel, don’t hesitate to stock up on plenty of fuel for an emergency. You’ll be needing them to start a fire for cooking, for your camping stove, generator, or your indoor non-electric space heater. You don’t want to come up short when a disaster strikes, so make sure this is one of those items that you don’t go skimpy on.
Walkie-talkies and weather radios
When your cellphone is no longer operable, you’ll be glad that you had walkie talkies and a weather radio so that you could still communicate with your family, and so that you’re still receiving updates on what’s going on in your area. Another form of communication to consider getting is a CB or HAM radio. There may be some licensing requirements that take some time, so plan ahead and be ready before that emergency event plays out.
Prepping Items to Stock
Household Necessities
Without being able to get your hands on these following items at your grocery store during an emergency, the comfort that you once knew would be gone. Especially if your situation turned out to be a long term problem. Once your neighbors have run out of their supplies, they’ll be looking to you and will be willing to trade you almost anything just to experience some normalcy again:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Feminine hygiene products
- Trashbags
- Ziploc bags
- Bleach
Medicine Pantry
Having a severe headache or a serious injury that requires medical attention is something else that you shouldn’t forget about. These are medicine pantry items that you need to begin stocking up on now in order to take care of these problems even after a SHTF event has taken place:
- Pain medication
- Antacids
- Bandaids
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Antibacterial Cream
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hand sanitizer
All of these are important prepping items to hoard! You can’t live without medicine. In case you missed this post, How To Stock Your Home Pharmacy
Comfort and Warmth
If an emergency were to happen in the dead of winter, your family would need a number of different supplies just to keep warm and comfortable. Other families would be in need also. These are just a few items that would be like gold when it’s close to zero degrees outside:
- Sleeping bags
- Extra blankets
- Firelogs
- Lighters
- Thermal underwear
- Extra Boots and gloves
Prepping Items to Stock
Final Word
When it comes to food that you stock, make sure that it’s food that is similar to your family’s regular eating habits. Other than that, just be sure that you get as many of these items crossed off on your prepping list as your time, storage space, and budget can handle. What are some other prepping items to stock that you’d like to share with me? We appreciate you sharing your ideas. May God Bless this world, Linda.
Linda, this is a great list. Thank you for sharing your information with us. I want share something about my awesome youngest daughter. She is a prepper and couponer. When the shelves first emptied of toilet tissue, and Lysol and such, she helped an older couple she heard about and donated what they needed to them. She heard about their need from their daughter. When the daughter came to pick up the items, she asked how much she owed her. My daughter said to just pass it forward. That made me so proud of her.
I have 20 gallons of water, so far. Daughter has about 45-50 gallons so far.
Hi Deborah, I swear we teach our kids by example, you taught her well. I would be a proud mama too! I love this! Do you have 20 gallons of water???? That is awesome, keep up the good work!! Linda
Linda, I want to have at least 50 gallons and go from there. When I brought the last 10 gallons home, Larry asked why I bought more water. LOL I told him I didn’t want to run out. He just shook his head. He doesn’t realize how scary this world has become.
Hi Deborah, it’s interesting because I write this blog, I stock food, water, and preps. My husband is a kept man. I don’t mean it in a mean way, he just follows me around. LOL! He does help clean up the kitchen when I cook recipes or meals. I’m so grateful. But he never thinks about getting say a “rain barrel. Nope, never. Life is good when we have an awesome person by our side. Linda
I store so much, it is impossible to rotate. When boxed dinners get out of date, save the rice/pasta in the boxes and discard the stiff/stale envelope mixes.
Why can’t I rotate?? Because I cook from scratch.
Sure, I have buckets of pasta, macaroni, rice, beans, and staples…but some things, like boxed dinners do not have long shelf lives.
I have buckets of instant milk ready for a pick up–guy gives it to dogs/goats. I found NIDO to be better and am stocking with that brand now.
Tip: put 2 drops only of vanilla and 1/2 tsp. sugar to each glass; chill and it won’t make you gag…honest!!
Hi JayJay, oh I love your idea about the boxed dinners!! Thanks for the tip on the NIDO milk, I have heard good things about that brand. No one wants to gag!!! LOL! I love it, Linda
Linda, I think you and I are married to the same man or at least to identical twins!
Your list is spot on and I have everything on it. I know it might not be as important, but I add spices to my list…not essential in the grand scheme, but I try to think of all my beans and rice and noodles with a different taste flare…Mexican, Italian, American, Thai, etc. I would be grateful to eat anything if I were hungry, but I’m a bit afraid of food fatigue, too.
Hi Elizabeth, oh I love hearing this! Identical twins!! LOL! Oh, I love spices, Mexican would be my #1 spice. What spice do you use for Thai dishes??? Spices are the best to stock! Linda
Linda, most of the spices I use I get on Amazon. Gustus Vitae and Spice Walla are my favorites. Check out the Middle East spices. The spices are already mixed for you. Admittedly, I’m all about convenience, but I do have some spices and herbs that are individual that I use for my own creations.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you, I want to try these spices you recommend. I love to try new ones and I love Thai food. Ordering from Amazon is my kind of shopping. Thank you, Linda
The same folks that eye roll preparedness are the same ones throwing out 15 sets of crocks cause they are no longer in style.
They aren’t exactly a reference point I’d want to use.
Buy It Cheap Stack It Deep
Hi Matt, now I have the giggles, 15 sets of crocks!! I like to buy cheap and stack it deep too! I love it, we get it! Linda
Hi Linda, I appreciate your prepping lists. Reminded me of a few things that I’m running low on. I also stock up on gallons of vinegar. White for laundry and other cleaning, and apple cider for digestive or other medical needs.
Hi Deanna, thank you for your kind words. I know sometimes they may be repetitive, but if one person stocks up on apple cider or white vinegar that’s awesome. Life is so good when we know we must stock up. Good one, Linda
Linda, many people can’t store enough water to get them through an emergency situation. For those folks especially having a great water filtration-purificaiton system is a must. For those who are Bugging In I recommend the AquaRain 400 system. For Get Home Bags or Bug Out Bags I recommend SurvirorFilters (think LifeStraws, but better and more convenient to use.
For Batteries I’m a huge fan of Eneloop rechargeable batteries. They come in all the standard sized except 9V.
I’m posting links to these items below:
Website: aquarain.com
https://www.survivorfilter.com/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQ2L9NY/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=rdw0a-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=49a5e7eff6aa86217519358145b55118&creativeASIN=B00KQ2L9NY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QVKA0IA/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=rdw0a-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=cfcbe53c601bd7d90e5616d59b403e2d&creativeASIN=B00QVKA0IA
Hope this is helpful.
Hi Ray, great tips. I had to fix the AquaRain link because it is not secure. I need to check out those filters. LifeStraw sent me that one several years ago. I love good ideas, thank you!! Linda
I live in an apartment and have limited space for storing water. So, I have my Berkey, 4 Lifestraws and a couple of other methods of filtering water. I have looked into how to purify rain water that I would catch on my deck in a plastic bin and plastic buckets – closely woven cotton fabric to cover the bins/buckets then I would put the water through my Berkey or Life straws or use other methods. I have a specific pan for distilling water as long as I have a cooking method (electric stove, charcoal, butane and/or open fire.). I have researched ways to purify water by boiling, filtering, etc.
Hi Linda,
As usual you give out great suggestions and make me think. What are your concerns for our food chain? That is your top concerns?
Hi Nina, I really hope I’m wrong about the food chain being broken. We saw a little bit of this last year. And the year before because of the weather. The problem is most of us cannot buy a mini-farm let alone any farm. I wish I could say I could grow all of my food in my little back yard. It’s not going to happen. I have .19 acres and I can grow a lot of vegetables for Mark and me. But long-term, I really don’t know. I will do the best I can by gardening. I live too far away from a Farmers Market, even those are not the best here in Southern Utah. My biggest concern is a major power grid outage. It’s inevitable. Civil unrest is a huge thing as well. God help us all. Linda
Hello. Linda. Under the Flashlights heading I would include the old style flashlights that use an incandescent bulb. Sure, they don’t put off as many lumens as the LED flashlights, however, if someone is worried about an EMP or solar flare surge, the old style flashlights will still work while the LED ones may not. I have quite a few LED flashlights, but I also have about 4 old style ones.
Hi Karl, WHAT? Why did I not think about this, great comment, I love learning new stuff! I’m going to go add some of those flashlights, wow, I learn something new every day! Love it! Thank you, Linda
Where would one go to buy an “old fashioned flashlight”?????
Hi Suzanne, right here: https://amzn.to/2Z7fzer
I just ordered one. LOL! Linda
Hi Linda. Excellent list. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but check out the YouTube video entitled Cheap Emergency Lighting — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv7Bx6usT-g. Starting at 2:17, it lists, by brand and part number, flashlights that run on just one battery. One D-cell. One AA. Etc. Your supply of batteries may be the weak link in the chain but, once you’ve located a battery in the kids toy box, you need a flashlight that can use it. And lights that require just ONE battery stretch out that precious resource to the max.
Hi Ron, thanks for the tips! Thanks for the YouTube link! Linda
HI, Linda- if there is an EMP would regular batteries die in items like lanterns or portable radios? I think about this every time I stock up on batteries. Or is it the wiring/circuits that die? Or both? What about rechargeable batteries in drills, hand vacs, etc.? Think those would die? Seems like so many items use batteries of one sort or another now.. Thanks!