This is something I’ve been reading up on for about a year- ever since a tornado rolled through and we had to take our customers to shelter in place at work. Our house lost electric for a little bit but having it come through at all had me starting to research. WV isn’t exactly known for tornadoes.
Now, with people running out and panic shopping, it is leaving people with little to actually sort through and buy.
Due to shortages, the preppers are the ones most prepared in times like this.
What would be the best thing to make sure you’re stocked up on just in case of something like this happening again?
Foods
If you are able to keep cans of fruits and vegetables stocked up, they last longer than fresh but a lot contain preservatives, salt and added sugar so it would be best to keep those for emergencies.
Same goes for canned meats, not healthy to eat on a regular basis but they work well if something happens and you’re unable to get fresh meat.
Canned fish (salmon and tuna) are exceptions, they are healthy and last longer than fresh.
Canned beans work in place of dried beans, they are a great source of protein.
You can also get shelf stable milk for baking and nutrition.
Grains like wheat flour, enriched flour, almond mill, gluten free flour, rice, quinoa, amaranthe, etc can sit sealed for months so they are good to have on hand. That way, if you run out of bread or any other baked items you need and can’t make it to the store, you can make it.
Cleaning Products
Cleaning products are a given when it comes to regular keeping up with your home as well as cold and flu season. They are especially important when new diseases come around.
Which ones and how much depend on the size of your family, home and your normal routine. The best way to figure it is to try to keep an extra 3-6 month supply in case things get serious.
It’s easy to build, all you need is to buy a few extras on normal shopping trips.
Same goes for toilet paper, paper towels and other necessities. You can make reusable (see here, I mention some ways to replace. I can do a tutorial if wanted)
You can buy the larger packs of generic brand, unless you have a Sams or Costco membership, then you can easily stock up. Paper towels can be easily replaced with old rags or you can take some fabric and make them yourself.
Bath and Body
Try to keep an extra bottle or two of your normal shampoo and conditioner, same with an extra stick of deodorant, lotion and soap/body wash.
It’s also a good idea to stock some extra cold, flu, allergy and pain killer medications. If you have kids, keep an extra container of vitamins.
Miscellaneous
First aid kit, dehydrated food supply- enough for 3 days for each member of the family is the typical recommendation. It’s a bit pricier, but
We have a propane camping stove and found it came in handy when we lost electricity for over a day. We were able to cook without electric.
Try to keep at least 3-6 months of expenses saved back in a savings account. You can start with building a cushion of 1000 then move on to saving higher amounts.
Lighters and matches- anything you can use to start a fire, camping multi tool as well as fishing or hunting gear if there is a chance you could need to hunt for food and a set of camping eating items (cups, plates, the multi tool etc) and some recommend a tent.
Some people recommend keeping a bag in your house with 3 days- 2 weeks worth of everything you would need in case you have to evacuate.
Extra water- bottled, gallons or a way of purifying but some chemicals won’t be filtered out so keeping a few extra cases of water won’t hurt.
Flashlight and extra batteries of all sizes your items take.
Those are some recommendations for beginners that I have found around the web. If the Corona is teaching us anything, it’s that preppers are really getting on to something. Some of the stuff may seem a bit extreme, but with the crazy weather and diseases, keeping extras of some items don’t seem too bad an idea.
Another tip people keep saying- if you start a stock pile, don’t tell people. If people know, make sure you have it on lock and have ways to defend yourself if things get bad and people start looting.
DIY MOMMY 