Essential Supplies to Keep Your Family Safe When SHTF
Can your family cope when things hit the drain?
You don’t need to wait until things get worse before you start preparing. As early as now, preppers and survivalists are preparing for when things get out of hand. The question is: are you ready when shit hits the fan?
When the clock starts ticking, your family should have the necessary supplies to survive. Gears must be in place, and you have enough provisions for the whole family. Here are some things that you need to be in place when everything gets worse.
Food and Water
Stock up on food so that there is enough to last at least two weeks for everyone in the household. Select a mixture of prepared foods which you can cook or heat easily, as well as foods which are ready to eat - non-perishables like granola bars, crackers, cereal, biscuits, oatmeal, and canned food. Pay attention to expiry dates. Canned, packaged, and dried food won’t easily spoil and have a longer shelf life.
Humans can’t survive without water. Ideally, one gallon of water per person (and per pet) per day would be good to have on hand.
Emergency Bag
Last-minute prep can put you in a difficult situation, as you scramble to locate what needs to go in your pack. Preparing an emergency bag in case of emergency will spare you from stress, not to mention you’ll be more likely to have all essential tools and supplies packed inside your pack.
Your emergency bag should be durable and comfortable to wear/carry. A waterproof pack like Surviveware’s 72-Hour Survival Backpack is ideal so you need not worry about rain, sludge, ice, snow, or mud.
Also important is how you pack your emergency backpack. There are many resources online on how to start (and maintain) one.
Clothing
Of course you have plenty of clothing in your house. But it’s a good idea to keep a supply of clothes for emergencies alongside your other emergency supplies. What you need depends on your climate and potential disasters. Items to consider include rain or snow boots, wool socks, rain jackets or ponchos, hats, and UV protective clothing.
Fire Starters
Your ability to create fire has a huge impact on how well you survive during a crisis. Without fire, you don’t have any heat source nor means for cooking food or heating water.
While matches work well in a controlled environment, they become useless when wet. Having alternative fire-making tools such as fire starters or lighters is highly suggested.
Cutting Tools
A hatchet, ax, survival knife, and multi-tool can all serve an array of purposes. Use these for cutting wood, making traps, clearing debris, or creating woodwork.
Medicine and First Aid
In a critical situation, you need to have enough provisions to treat yourself and others First aid kits should be fully stocked with all items needed to treat common wounds and injuries, not to mention OTC medicines, prescription medication, sunscreen, bug spray, nail clippers, tweezers, scissors, etc. It’s also a good idea to keep contact lens and contact lens solutions inside the bag - really anything you may need to stay healthy, clean, and safe.
Flashlight and Batteries
Solar-powered, battery-operated, and hand-cranked flashlights are essential prepping items. Choose a selection of what best suits your needs.
Paracord, Wires, and Strings
Cable ties, wires, and paracord don’t seem much, but they are incredibly useful, in a multitude of situations. Stock up and thank us later.
Duct Tape
Yes, duct tape. You’ll need something sticky when building and/or repairing items.
Cash and Valuables
Keep cash and important paperwork in a fireproof box.
You don’t need to wait until things get worse before you start preparing. As early as now, preppers and survivalists are preparing for when things get out of hand. The question is: are you ready when shit hits the fan?
When the clock starts ticking, your family should have the necessary supplies to survive. Gears must be in place, and you have enough provisions for the whole family. Here are some things that you need to be in place when everything gets worse.
Food and Water
Stock up on food so that there is enough to last at least two weeks for everyone in the household. Select a mixture of prepared foods which you can cook or heat easily, as well as foods which are ready to eat - non-perishables like granola bars, crackers, cereal, biscuits, oatmeal, and canned food. Pay attention to expiry dates. Canned, packaged, and dried food won’t easily spoil and have a longer shelf life.
Humans can’t survive without water. Ideally, one gallon of water per person (and per pet) per day would be good to have on hand.
Emergency Bag
Last-minute prep can put you in a difficult situation, as you scramble to locate what needs to go in your pack. Preparing an emergency bag in case of emergency will spare you from stress, not to mention you’ll be more likely to have all essential tools and supplies packed inside your pack.
Your emergency bag should be durable and comfortable to wear/carry. A waterproof pack like Surviveware’s 72-Hour Survival Backpack is ideal so you need not worry about rain, sludge, ice, snow, or mud.
Also important is how you pack your emergency backpack. There are many resources online on how to start (and maintain) one.
Clothing
Of course you have plenty of clothing in your house. But it’s a good idea to keep a supply of clothes for emergencies alongside your other emergency supplies. What you need depends on your climate and potential disasters. Items to consider include rain or snow boots, wool socks, rain jackets or ponchos, hats, and UV protective clothing.
Fire Starters
Your ability to create fire has a huge impact on how well you survive during a crisis. Without fire, you don’t have any heat source nor means for cooking food or heating water.
While matches work well in a controlled environment, they become useless when wet. Having alternative fire-making tools such as fire starters or lighters is highly suggested.
Cutting Tools
A hatchet, ax, survival knife, and multi-tool can all serve an array of purposes. Use these for cutting wood, making traps, clearing debris, or creating woodwork.
Medicine and First Aid
In a critical situation, you need to have enough provisions to treat yourself and others First aid kits should be fully stocked with all items needed to treat common wounds and injuries, not to mention OTC medicines, prescription medication, sunscreen, bug spray, nail clippers, tweezers, scissors, etc. It’s also a good idea to keep contact lens and contact lens solutions inside the bag - really anything you may need to stay healthy, clean, and safe.
Flashlight and Batteries
Solar-powered, battery-operated, and hand-cranked flashlights are essential prepping items. Choose a selection of what best suits your needs.
Paracord, Wires, and Strings
Cable ties, wires, and paracord don’t seem much, but they are incredibly useful, in a multitude of situations. Stock up and thank us later.
Duct Tape
Yes, duct tape. You’ll need something sticky when building and/or repairing items.
Cash and Valuables
Keep cash and important paperwork in a fireproof box.
