Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

[attack-cat]

We've seen the list before but I printed it out and have been marking things off as we get them. It's a nice reminder!

Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice - Beans - Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)
49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. "Survival-in-a-Can"
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Livestock
http://baconreport.blogspot.com/2007/07/to...rst-during.html

 

[Chic Rustler]

I think we all pretty much know what we need to stock now.....and people don't call us crazy anymore

 

[tortoise]

I'm enjoying putting this list through COVID test. Some of it holds up even though we didnt have difficulty with electricity, gasoline, or communications.

Chickens arent on the list, but they should be. 🤣
Dogs ended up not being size specific.
Toilet paper and prescriptions go to the top of the list. 🤣
Extra clothing wasnt specific enough. If we're staying home with plenty of essentials we need larger clothing. 🤣 If there is scarcity we will need smaller clothing (or ability to alter them)

I appreciate this thread for a light hearted look at how we can take care of ourselves better.

 

[Hinotori]

I think it showed most people to not wait until you're out of TP to buy more.

And keep a couple years supply of canning lids stored

 

[Marie2020]

I think we all pretty much know what we need to stock now.....and people don't call us crazy anymore

I've been collecting for years, people thought I was completely off the wall. Now they ask all sorts of questions and some I really do not have the answers to, maybe it's me that is slacking now

 

[Mini Horses]

Knowing that I know HOW to live without many things and still have what I need is very comforting for me. Being able to be self providing is a good place to be. Some things I have are hard to even find to buy....but it is just part of my normal life to keep supplies for lean times. Staying stocked with "xtras" is my norm. These times have made people appreciate this, not think you are a nut case. 😁 my chickens supplied my family, friends and many co-workers with eggs when none were in the stores! Those hens were appreciated as well as the goat milk flowing freely. Yep, I was never scrambling for TP, cleaners, pharmacy items or food. Still not! Life is good.

People on this forum are generally less stressed with "not available" than the general population.....it's just our lifestyle. We are blessed.

 

[tortoise]

Yes! Canning lids, seeds, OTC meds (aspirin!), supplements. My normal supplements were ones recommended for COVID. I didnt see that coming!!

I am still surprised by how much junk food, comfort food, and alcohol people bought and apparently consumed. Wow. Something to really think about. Comfort seeking is a powerful drive, so how do we compensate for it without sacrificing health?

Seems that the first things to prepare with should be acheiving the best physical and mental health possible with the brain and body you have. Getting off medications and supplements as much as is possible for an individual might work out better than trying to stockpile medication. Cultivating good mental health and resilience is better than trying to stockpile chocolate, alcohol, and other consumable ways to self soothe. How much shorter would the list be if we assume excellent physical and mental health?

 

[poppycat]

Heaven forbid I get caught in a national emergency without my rectal thermometer!!!!!

In all seriousness though those lists kind of bug me. Anyone who's been backpacking for over a week knows how little you really need to make it by. I agree with enjoy the ride, being physically fit and resourceful are the best preparing you can do.

 

[attack-cat]

Things like a washboard are what I would be using today had the power not come back on. We were without power but not without the task of clearing out downed trees and getting our clothes filthy while cutting, carrying and stacking the wood. Things for barter like cigarettes or booze ... if someone has something you want and cash has no value then being able to trade them smokes for seeds for your garden isn't too bad. I can always refuse to take cash and say that I will sell veggies or meat to people who can pay in what I need ... maybe some chewing gum to calm my toddler and keep her from crying. Something to keep the kids lives as close to normal as possible. People talk about buying gold and using that to pay for items but a big chunk of gold for a dozen eggs ... how do you get change for that gold chunk? Now if you have extra needles and thread ... that I'd think would be a good trade for a dozen eggs. I can then mend the clothes that I can't run into town and buy replacements for.

We take for granted that we can run into town and buy things like a new battery for that fancy digital thermometer. Your kid is running a fever and its snowing outside and your car won't make it to town. The battery is dead on your digital themometer ..... suddenly that old fashioned thermometer would be real handy. Keeping track of how high a temp goes and watching it go down is needed when you have youngsters.

Guns, ammo, body armour .... http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0328/p01s02-ussc.html?s=t5 The people of New Orleans that had guns were safe. Would you rather have the person kicking in your door at 2 am be greeted by you with a nice cup of tea or would you rather protect your family from what they plan to do and they don't want witnesses. If someone kicks open a door into your home and they have night vision they can find you. If you have night vision ... you can find them. You can also see what is in the yard being barked at by your dogs and have the advantage of them not seeing your flashlight beam. It's actually pretty handy. I can see what is down at the chicken coop without running the furry thing off before I can get around the edge of the coop to shoot it. IF an animal sees your light ... they will run. Anything to give you the advantage over the person or thing that is against you is worth it.

Many things on the list are for if the absolute worst happens. But just like when you fasten your seat belt in the car ... its not that you plan to wreck your car but it could happen and its better to be prepared. Just like that extra jug of water. You might not need it now but how can you flush the toilet without it if the power goes out right now. Your chickens and other critters need water also. No electricity ... no hose to take water to the buckets for your dogs or chickens.

Cots .... if we had to have guests like the neighbors over due to the weather then I'd like to have a cot or two for them to sleep on. Especially if you have older people coming to stay. Things like that are for staying at home not carrying around outside.

The geiger counter .... better to have one and not need it then need one and not have it. We have been poking the big Russian bear lately with a stick. Russia has nukes. Also dirty bombs are possible. They are small and not expensive - about 50.00. Also the people of Japan didn't think they would get bombed during WWII. We didn't expect airplanes to fly into the twin towers either.

Imagine right now ..... the power goes out and the generator has failed. Can you cook? Can you flush? Can you keep your kids from panicking? The idea is to keep things as close to normal as possible.

No the list isn't perfect but it gives some good ideas. Katrina ... the worst was shown but it also should have opened some eyes as to what can happen. How many people thought that Katrina would hit and people would be stealing tv's and nike shoes? Disasters bring out the worst in people and the best. Having your family ready for what could happen won't kill anyone. I can list lots of links that show local governments telling people to have supplies for three days put back ( http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/departm...agement/Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.aspx one link)

Having water, warmth, shelter, food and other essential items just takes up some room in your garage or basement. But not having them .... and you can't run to town and get them ... would be bad. You don't need everything on the list. It's just a list to help people think about things that they don't usually have to think about. Yesterday I went to Walmart to get some items and there were no batteries in c or d cell, no bottled water, no camp stoves, no flashlights and very few candles. But since we had those items already ... we were fine. Just stop and think about if the roads were not passable and the power was off ..... how would you do?

 

[Beekissed]

But that would mean getting the bowl and cup dirty and then I couldn't wash it. My stored up water was needed for the critters. Just little things that I didn't think about until the power was off. Every bowl that we used ... sat in the sink dirty.

Which is why I always keep a handy supply of plastic cups and paper plates. I finally persuaded my mom to do this when they had a lot of company but then she started washing the plastic cups at the end of the day!

I will tell you this...I think the most important thing folks need for power outages is a hand pump on their well. You can do just about anything if you have a water supply!