Ingredients for Making Bread
October 7, 2025 by Linda Loosli 60  Comments

125 Preparedness Items You Need To Stock

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Today, I have 125 preparedness items that you can stock according to your budget. You may be better prepared in some areas than others. That’s okay, this list is to help you think about what you have now and what you may need in the future. Let’s be clear: these preparedness items will primarily be used at home, but you should also consider having them in your car and at your office. I wanted to update this list from a few years ago, as numerous challenges face us each day.

I understand that many people may head to the hills if a disaster strikes or an unforeseen emergency directly affects their family. I won’t be heading for the mountains, as that would make me a target for the people up there who are looking to take advantage of others or who lack common sense. At our age, we’ve pretty well decided to shelter in place unless required to evacuate.

Would you like to see the world return to eating at the dinner table as a family? With zero electronics, phones turned off, and people communicating with one another face-to-face. As we put our family emergency plan together, we need to teach our kids and grandkids to be attentive, aware of their surroundings, and apply the skills they’ve been trained in emergencies.

Some of the kids can help prepare the meals with a bit of assistance. Our offspring also need to “clear the table” and wash the dishes or load and unload the dishwasher together as a family. I view it as learning to be kind to one another and learning to work together as a team, all things that are important during survival situations.

Ingredients Needed to Make Bread

Preparedness Items

Food Storage/Stock The Pantry/Freezer

A critical aspect of any disaster or emergency is having sufficient food to maintain energy and cognitive function. The list below is a minimum inventory of things that will help maintain a healthy and nourishing environment for those you love. Some non-perishable food items are staples to build meals around, while others require special storage considerations to prevent spoilage.

  • Flour/Wheat: If you have these, you can make bread or bread-based meal products. Of course, the wheat has a longer shelf life.
  • Oil is used in many recipes and for cooking. Some varieties are more shelf-stable than others, requiring some homework on your part.
  • Salt: We all need salt in our diets to stay healthy, not just to flavor our food.
  • Honey: a great sweetener with a reasonably long shelf life. If it crystallizes, heat it.
  • Sugar: Many recipes call for sugar, particularly pastries and other desserts. Ingredients kids love to see.
  • Spices: In an emergency, meals can often be bland. The right spices can make a real difference.
  • Butter: another common recipe item that can be used as a cooking oil, too.
  • Instant milk: if you lose your power, you’ll want a supply of instant milk as a substitute for fresh milk. Has a decent shelf life for storage.
  • Yeast: needed when making bread-based foods so they rise properly. Works best when fresh, so I keep mine in the freezer.
  • Brown sugar: In addition to regular sugar, some recipes call for brown sugar.
  • Canned meats are an excellent addition to your long-term storage, providing a valuable source of protein.
  • Canned fruits: canned fruits make it possible to enjoy our favorite fruits all year long.
  • Canned vegetables: great additions to salads, soups, stews, and more.
  • Canned tomatoes: We love to make Italian and Mexican meals all the time. Tomatoes are a key ingredient in almost all of them.
  • Beans/Rice/Pasta: superb long-term storage items with so many meal options.
  • Pet food: we can’t forget our furry friends; they need help in emergencies, too.
  • Seeds: Preferably organic, non-GMO, or heritage seeds. To truly feel comfortable with your preparedness plan, consider making the most of your property by growing your own food. There’s nothing like knowing how your veggies have been grown, especially when it comes to pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Infant Formula: Try to obtain a sufficient supply for your storage inventory as soon as possible. The formula is available in both powder and liquid forms.

Water

  • 4 gallons of water per person per day: This amount is necessary for hydration, cooking, cleaning, and personal sanitation. Can’t survive without it!
  • Water purifiers: we can’t trust all our water sources. Be sure to have a way to filter and purify.
  • WaterBricks: one of the best water storage products I use. Stack easily, not too heavy, and can be stored under your bed.
  • 50-gallon water barrels with a pump are a very popular water storage option. They require a pump to extract the water, but they function very well.
  • High-Capacity Water Tank: We have 160-gallon and 250-gallon tanks in the garage. We use Water Preserver so we don’t have to change it often.
  • Water Preserver: allows you to drain and replace the water every 5 years; it must be used.

Preserving our Bounty

  • Quart mason jars: both Ball and Kerr make good products. I like using wide-mouth jars.
  • Pint mason jars make some things easier to store in smaller containers.
  • 1/2-pint mason jars work well for making jams and jellies.
  • Mason jar lids and rings (thanks, Harriet): these have been hard to find. I’d shy away from lesser-known manufacturers.
  • Water Bath Canner: My Food Preserver Mainstay. We’ve canned thousands of jars of fruits and veggies over the years.
  • Pressure Canner: especially suitable for canning meats. It’s incredible how quickly they process the food.
  • Bottle lifter: Safeguard your hands when removing bottles from hot liquids.

Fuel/Emergency Stoves/Matches

  • Butane Stove with Fuel: I used one of these for several months while waiting for my gas stove to be installed. Very pleased with how well it worked.
  • Butane Fuel: The stove cannot run without some fuel. Be sure to set aside a designated storage area away from your home.
  • Dutch Ovens (Note that these cute, colored ceramic Dutch ovens are not suitable for outdoor use): I use mine frequently to cook a wide variety of dishes. Be sure to get one with a lip on the lid to effectively hold the briquettes.
  • Sun Oven: a great backup option for cooking in the event of a power loss. As the name suggests, you do need the sun to make them work.
  • Camp Chef Stove/Oven Combination: not only ideal for camping but also a reliable backup option if your stove fails or power is lost.
  • Propane Tanks: Most camp stoves utilize propane, making it a readily available and reliable fuel source.
  • Briquettes (without starter fluid): can be used in your BBQ, grill, and Dutch oven.
  • Buckets with Gamma Lids to store briquettes: I use these for all my carbon fuel options. I have them color-coded so I can track inventory.
  • Cut Clean Wood: as mentioned, I have a bunch cut into small pieces and stored in buckets. Great for starting fires and cooking as well.
  • Matches/Fire Starter/Butane Starters: need a way to get those fires started. Have some waterproof containers just in case of rain.

First Aid/Medical Book/Home Remedies/Personal Items

Laundry

  • Laundry Soap/Detergent: We at least need to clean our underwear in an emergency. One of the reasons we need ample water supplies.
  • Laundry Buckets: We need somewhere to wash and then rinse the clothes.
  • Laundry Hampers: a place to store and protect the clothes until it’s time to wash them.
  • Clothesline: That trusty dryer may not be working in a disaster situation. Have a place to hang the clothes to dry them out. Our ancestors did!
  • Clothespins: Buy good-quality clothespins; you may be using them for a while.
  • Emergency Laundry Buckets

Sanitation Supplies

  • Toilet Paper: You can make your own “personal rags”, but I’d sure prefer good old TP.
  • Hand Towels: paper or cloth work well.
  • Shower Curtain: We all appreciate privacy.
  • Garbage Can: We can’t burn all our rubbish.
  • Lotion: If you’re forced outside, your skin can dry out quickly. And don’t forget some for protection from the sun.
  • Shampoo: makes you feel even cleaner.
  • Conditioner: Maybe not the most important, but maybe more so with the ladies of the house.
  • Hand Soap: fights bacteria from various sources. A good two-minute washing habit is a good one to have.
  • Shaving Cream: You can go a few days without shaving, but you’ll feel better and have a lower chance of disease with a clean shave.
  • Shaving tools: We offer both single-blade and multi-blade varieties.
  • Menstrual Pads: That time of the month comes whether we’re ready or not; it’s better to be prepared.
  • Menstrual Tampons: The most preferred method for most women.
  • Diapers/Cloth or Disposable Ones: If you have little ones, these are crucial.
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and other personal hygiene items

Emergency Toilet

Linda’s Emergency Toilet

Kitchen Supplies

These are all pretty self-explanatory. Having a good supply of each item will make surviving the emergency so much easier.

  • Paper Towels
  • Hand Towels
  • Wash Rags
  • Hot Pads
  • Garbage Can
  • Stand Mixer
  • Hand Mixer
  • Can opener: don’t forget to have a manual one, the power goes out more than we’d like to admit.
  • Toaster
  • Dishes/cups/glasses/silverware
  • Various cooking/baking pans
  • Wheat grinder
  • Bosch Bread Mixer
  • Bottle opener (thank you, Wendy)
  • French Press (thank you, Patti)
  • Candles/Oil lamps with oil (thank you, Patti) Ron Brown’s Books
  • Vegetable Peeler (thank you, Kathy)

Emergency Vehicle Supplies

Linda’s Emergency Vehicle Kit

Sewing Supplies

  • Sewing Machine: Knowing how to sew seems to have become a lost art. Having the machine won’t be of much help if you don’t know how to use it.
  • Treadle Sewing Machine: This one can be used with “foot power” in case of a power outage.
  • Bobbins
  • Thread
  • Needles
  • Scissors
  • Seam Ripper
  • Needle threader

Garden Tools

As mentioned above, having a garden and learning how to grow much of your own food is a key component of a strong self-sufficiency plan. Make having a garden a key part of your family emergency plan.

  • Shovel with a sharp point to dig holes.
  • Square shovel to move dirt and debris
  • Hand clippers
  • Lawnmower
  • Garden Tiller
  • Lawn Edger
  • Spade
  • Hoses
  • Garden sprayer
  • Hoes
  • Picks/Axe
  • Water Key (this turns off your secondary water)
  • Smaller garden tools
  • Rakes
  • Snow shovel

Tools/Building Materials

Whether it’s to build your own shelter, repair that storage shed, or make your shelter-in-place homestead safer, having the right tools and the skills to use them as intended is critical. You don’t have to get them all at once. Start now and build up your tool chest as you can afford to do so.

  • Screwdriver (various ones)
  • Drills
  • Wrenches
  • Saws
  • Scrap wood
  • Levels
  • Hammers
  • Pliers
  • Power nailers
  • Tiling tools
  • Ladders
  • Spackling tools
  • Paintbrushes
  • Paint trays
  • Paint drop cloths
  • Work gloves (thank you, Patti)
  • Flashlights, headlamps, batteries, solar flashlights, and lanterns
  • Duct tape
  • Bungee Cords
  • Window Screen Materials (thank you, Kathie)

Knowledge and Skills (my favorite thing)

The world has numerous offerings to help us become the best we can be, and that includes being as well-prepared as possible. Now is the time to refine the skills you’ve learned in the past and to acquire new, valuable skills that may save your life.

  • Books
  • Internet
  • Library
  • Podcasts
  • Documentaries
  • Classes
  • Movies
  • Venues

What are some other things I may need to be adequately prepared?

Here are some additional items to consider when putting your emergency plan together:

  • Copies of important documents like insurance policies, birth certificates, property titles, settlement papers, trusts and wills, contact information, critical medical records, bank information, passports, identification papers like social security cards, employment contracts, and other documents you feel are essential.
  • Communication options like cell phones and chargers, walkie-talkies, hand crank radios, whistles, and possibly a ham radio

FAQs About Preparedness Items

How long do emergency food supplies last?
Most freeze-dried foods can last up to 25 years if stored properly in a cool, dry place.

How do I store water for long-term use?
Use BPA-free containers, add water preservative drops, and store in a dark, cool area. Rotate every 6–12 months.

What’s the most overlooked preparedness item?
Many forget manual tools (like can openers) and backup power sources for phones or radios.

How can I start prepping on a budget?
Buy one or two extra non-perishable items during each grocery trip, it adds up over time.

Final Word

If you have any preparedness items to add to this list, please comment, and I will add them ASAP. Thanks again for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda

Copyright pictures: Kitchen Utensils: AdobeStock_184536668 by Merces Fittipaldi, Ingredients for Making Bread Depositphotos_246192340_S

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60 Comments

  2. Seeds, its hard to grow food without them. Preferably heritage seeds that you can save and then always have a supply of.

    Reply

  3. Linda, excellent lists! May want to add bottle opener by Mason jars. My hand can opener doesn’t have this little tab thing on it. I keep my bottle opener on my frig with a magnet. Fast cheap portable toilet: 5 gal bucket with a handicap toilet riser (a hard plastic thing that is used on toilet seat to make it taller. I got mine at thrift store.) Lol, I just had mine used by friends who wanted to ‘wilderness’ camp by my lake. I have packets of stuff that eat up the waste. (From my folks small camper).
    Again, great list for me to walk around my house with…

    Reply

    2. Hi Wendy, maybe to save money, simply place the bucket toilet on a besa brick or block of wood to raise the height of the seat. Some medical devices are expensive and ultimately unnecessary or can break down over time. Conversely, for little ones, use that same brick or block to create a step so the shorter citizens among us can access the toilet seat more comfortably. Great idea though, adding the portable toilet to this excellent list! 🙂

      Reply

      1. Skye, I must not have described well enough the thing that sits in the bucket, to act as a seat. It is a very hard plastic donut shaped thing that is commonly used by disabled/elderly when their (real) toilets are too low for them to comfortably sit down on, harder yet for them to rise from. It fits in the toilet bowl/seat and adds about 6 inches to height of toilet. Don’t know what the new cost would be from a medical supply place but I see them often at estate sales, thrift stores. I got mine over 20 yrs ago (thrift store, $2) for my dad to use when he’d visit, had a hard time with my relatively short toilets. I’ve also had to use it with the bucket when my septic tank had a freeze up. My sons thought it was pretty funny, until they needed to use it for #2 and it was 20 below outside, lol. Many of my ‘preps’ are used in the here and now at my homestead.

        Reply

        2. I appreciate your clarifying the riser seat Wendy. We have one in our home as well. We purchased it from a Medical Supply place in our town and it is next to useless lol I found that for Mum, all we needed to do was to raise the bucket while camping, onto a block platform just made from wood and she found it useful in that sense. Both ways will work for some folks one way or the other, I’m sure. (Different seats for different peeps (or should that read Poops? lol) 🙂 I really liked your way with telling a story in your explanation. Thanks so much. 😀

          Reply

          1. Skye, a great idea for your mom! Lol, my 19 yr old son replaced his toilet with one that sits almost 10 inches taller! Heck, hate to say it but I’m almost hoping mine gets a crack or something. It’s way nicer to use a taller toilet, and I’m only 5’3″! Lol, I use the plastic ring on bucket just to make sitting more comfy. Hey, we used a 5 gal bucket by our back door when I was a kid at night/winter. Outdoor toilet, running water meant using hand well pump at the sink, galvenized bathtub for Sunday night baths (my folks played cards on Sat nite!), wood/coal cookstove, wood stoves throughout house, and oil lamps in each room as electricity was not reliable. Lol, phone was party-line, when it even worked. Gee, what great training for if we have Shtf. I’m 58, btw. My 16 yrs older sister gets a kick out of my rural preps: guess she Really lived without today’s basics. She says I need to get some rabbit traps for ‘just in case’. Heck, I just want her to be here to tell me how to do stuff! Last time she was here, she wanted to make potato salad, I told her I was almost out of mayo. She then proceeded to Make Mayonnaise! Like, cool!

  4. Looks like a few of these things might require electricity to work. If so, allow me to suggest a power list: generator to supply power to run refrigerators and freezers, electric cords big enough to connect the generator to whatever is necessary, fuel for said generator, batteries, solar charger for small things such as cell phones, charger sticks for cell phones, battery-powered fans and other small appliances (camping type things), battery-powered or wind-up-powered radio with weather information, flashlights everywhere,

    Also – French press for coffee, leather work gloves to protect hands, oil lamps and/or candles.

    We were without power for six days last September, 2017, when Hurricane Irma came through. We live in the country so we are on an electric well, electric lift septic tank, and satellite TV. We are at the end of our particular power line. We managed by moving into our camping mode and using our generator to power the freezer and refrigerator. We discovered how well our emergency/S$*@ plans worked.

    I love your blog!

    Reply

    1. Hi Patti, oh my gosh, you rock with ideas! Thank you so much! I can’t imagine the six days without power from Hurricane Irma. I call these learning curves we gain knowledge to share with others. I forgot the French Press, can you imagine all the people without their coffee in the morning??? LOL! I’m adding your ideas to my post, thank you from the bottom of my heart for following my blog. Linda

      Reply

    2. Great ideas, Patti! I too live rural so same stuff for well, septic, tv here. I have one of those wind-up weather radios. It’s cool. A French press for coffee is a good idea. I’m the only coffee drinker here so seems silly to pull out camping percolator. I’m going to get one. Camping supplies rule!

      Reply

  7. I believe the gloves used by factory workers , butchers and fishmongers who open shellfish etc. will be a real asset. These metallic mesh gloves cannot be cut through even with a sharp blade, so to avoid laceration injuries when hospitals are no longer in service or simply if medical help is far away, we should do all we can to avoid injuries in the kitchen or the wood shed alike. Also, for safety’s sake avoid gasoline operated generators. The 4Patriots Solar Generator is the best in the country. It is virtually silent, gives out no toxic fumes and uses only the renewable energy of the sun, even in winter, to operate. Wish we could import them into Canada. I would purchase one in a heartbeat. Proven and safe technology. 🙂

    Reply

      1. Hi Linda, here is a link to the 4Patriots Solar Generator and also one of several links to those protective gloves I mentioned above 🙂 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WGV2XP6/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B06WGV2XP6&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=a54d13fc-b8a1-4ce8-b285-d77489a09cf6&pf_rd_r=Q0E8E2SM9Z9QZ7WRZA4V&pd_rd_wg=adpu3&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=Hcbih&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=3ff78cfd-a125-11e8-8aee-6fd78bb15702
        (Sorry the link is so long). This is Amazon.com but the gloves are also available on Amazon.ca for Canadian buyers as well. They even have these gloves for kids!
        Love your articles, Linda. Have followed your blog for a long time. It’s a great place to come and learn about taking responsibility for our own well-being and that of our loved ones and neighbours. I’m not someone who expects various emergency and govt agencies to come to the rescue every time something goes awry. I believe as do some many of your supporters, that ultimately it is down to us as individuals, families and caring groups to protect one another. Thanks for all you do to help us learn how. 🙂

        Reply

        2. Oh, Skye, you made my day!! It’s people like you that keep me going. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am going to order those gloves right now. We really need to get our neighbors, family, and friends to learn that we are responsible for ourselves. Great comment!!! Hugs, Linda

          Reply

    2. Skye, your metallic gloves suggestion is great! I totally forgot about these, even tho I used to manage a roast beef place. Sort of a cheapo thought, but I wonder if roast beef places might sell/give their older ones? We used to throw ours away frequently as they got nicks in them. But, I think they were fairly pricey. I do remember one of our carvers would sometimes take the ‘bad’ ones home as he was a hunter. I also remember getting a few small cuts when butchering chickens at my place. Should have had metal gloves!

      Reply

  8. Hi Linda, Printed your blog to add to my emergency binder. Love that they are all printable now. Have to add, I just scored a huge bargain on a 1928 treadle machine and I’m over the moon with it. I would add in some assorted fabric to make repairs with, at least a scrap bag. I also keep extra cold weather bedding, as we don’t prefer to run our household generator thru the night. Our location needs prep for ice storms or tornadoes – as we are not in a hurricane zone. So honestly, the paint supplies were a little confusing to me.

    Reply

    1. Beth,you are so lucky with the treadle machine! My mom had one. Lol, she sewed a lot of patches on to our jeans with it! Funnily enough, this was in early ’70’s when it was cool to have patches on butt of jeans! She was pretty cool about doing this, especially on jeans that were new, haha. One time, my sis got a pair of hip-hugger bell bottoms, but dang, they looked too new! My mom went and got my dad’s belt-sander. Put them jeans on ironing board, sanded them suckers right down! Sewed ‘keep on truckin’ patches on butt, with treadle machine. My dad said she was Looney. She just looked at him and said ” honey, ,times are achangin’.” Geez she was funny!

      Reply

  9. When you talk about loading and unloading the dishes, I have to laugh, since that assumes a dishwasher, an appliance we don’t have and that the wife doesn’t want, which also makes the expense and maintenance one less thing.. As for the hills, they are hours away in southern Ohio, so we will be sheltering in place. As for offspring, our youngest is late 20’s and lives out of state, leaving us to pretty much fend for ourselves along with help from local relatives and neighbors.
    On your food storage items list, we have them all in quantity.
    For water, we have a good well and a creek, plus rain catchment, that this year is overfull, along with DIY gravity and pressure drip filters using food grade buckets and purchased filter elements, that work as well as a Berkey: but, at a significantly reduced cost.
    With a whole house generator and plenty of fuel (propane) we can keep everything running for months in a pinch. For flushing we have a gravity septic system, so we do keep some 5 gallon buckets of water on hand for that purpose.
    For preserving the bounty we have equipment and skills to water bath and pressure can, as well as dehydrate and Freeze Dry, although we’re still working on mastering the freeze dryer. We are in the process of constructing a summer kitchen, and just received a 24×48” stainless work table to nearly complete the project. All we need now is an inexpensive propane range and we’ll be in business. Those stainless mesh gloves and a good butchering kit are also a good item to have on hand.
    For your Fuel/Emergency Stoves/Matches list, we have everything; plus, we can heat and cook with wood, or cook outside with wood. I’ve also acquired some new fire (actually) flame starters, using modern technology. These are plasma lighters that generate a plasma arc in the palm of your hand, These produce a 2000° plasma arc that will easily light nearly any flammable tinder and recharge with a USB power outlet like most phones and tablets.
    Items you really need to add to your First Aid/Medical Book/Home Remedies kit should be:
    • A good supply of prescription medications.
    • Coban stretch bandages. Ours were purchased for $0.99 per roll in bulk from a vet supply.
    • Single use tubes of Cyanoacrylate (super glue).
    • Afrin or generic Neosynephrine. This is a vasoconstrictor and with some cotton balls can stop a nose bleed rather quickly. In our case we use the Wal-Mart generic reuiate brand.
    And finally on the Kitchen Supplies
    You should probably keep several hand operated can openers and a good manual knife sharpener on hand. We keep several Smith’s CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener in the drawer with the knives, since I hate a dull knife. They are inexpensive and can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-CCKS-2-Step-Knife-Sharpener/dp/B00032S02K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1534657373&sr=8-3&keywords=Smith%27s+CCKS+2-Step+Knife+Sharpener
    When I first saw the title: “125 Preparedness Items You Need To Stock” it seemed like a lot of items; but, we have them all and more, all collected over time, so it is indeed possible.
    There are now many ways to light your way with LED options and rechargeable batteries. Small solar panels that can charge a phone, tablet, batteries, or plasma lighters are inexpensive. I recently purchased some of the Lyfelite emergency led bulbs with the built in battery, that simply stay on when the power goes out. There are many inexpensive and incremental ways to solve these problems.

    Reply

  10. I am wondering if you could place 5 or 10 pound flour bags in a big zip lock bag and place that in a 5 gallon bucket with a tight lid, placed in a dry hall closet…..would this help keep the flour the flour longer?

    Reply

    1. Hi Susan, here’s the deal with white flour (I’m assuming you are asking about) it has such a short shelf life. I make bread a lot, mostly whole wheat bread (which has a really short shelf life). White flour has a shelf life of about 12-18 months at the very most. It goes rancid. I only buy enough white bread flour for one year. I have a lot of wheat stored that I can grind when needed. If you really want to store white flour for an extended period of time (I do not) you can purchase some #10 cans from Thrive Life which is unbleached white flour (it is not bread flour) that has a shelf-life of about 5 years under optimal conditions. Once opened it must be used within one year. I hope this helps. I buy about 25-50 pounds of white bread flour each year and fill a 5-gallon bucket as needed. Linda

      Reply

  11. Hi Linda! This is an awesome list! We have most of the items on it. I have a suggestion on all of these items. Check at garage sales and thrift stores first. I found a treadle sewing machine at a garage sale for $40. All it needed was a good cleaning and oiling. It also needed a belt. It works great. It came with a drawer full of attachments, not sure they belong to the treadle machine though. A jar of buttons, some old thread and a few other items. The machine table is in excellent condition. It sews great! One thing I would also suggest is a still. Like you make liquor with, but for distilling water. We have a propane Cook stove in the house. And propane water heater.

    Reply

    1. HI Deborah, oh you are so right, garage or thrift sales are the best! I keep hearing about people who will need a still to make water for their CPAPs! Boy, that was a bargain for a treadle machine!! I love it! Linda

      Reply

  12. I realize that this post was originally sent several years ago. Good reminders though!

    An inexpensive but very useful “oven” is a Girl Scout Box Oven – just do a search for complete directions. But basically it is a cardboard box, lined with foil. Use briquettes to heat the oven. As a former Girl Scout Leader/Trainer, I used box ovens frequently during camp outs and when teaching other leaders. You will likely want to look at several different ways of making these. I have made – one that is placed upside down over charcoal with the food up on a grate; one used as a reflection oven. I even tried one with a cut-out so I could see what was cooking but I don’t recommend it very highly as you lose heat that way!!

    Also, something I think we all need to practice is doing without: electrical items. For example, I have never had a stand mixer and at my age, I am NOT going to invest in one!! I have never needed one! Nor do I need a bread mixer/maker. I realize that not everyone was raised as I was but I learned to make bread using my hands/muscles!! they are very effective tools! Also, we have become so reliant on out electricity that I am concerned that we will totally fail when it comes to doing without. So I think a BIG TOOL that needs to be in EVERYONE’S toolbox is practice! Practice making bread without a mixer/bread machine/electric or gas oven. You can do it!! Practice hand sewing (I do have a treadle sewing machine though). Practice is a great way to teach kids and grandkids as well!

    Reply

    1. Hi Leanne, oh yes, making your own sun oven would be awesome! I have friends that have never owned a hand or stand mixer. I got the giggles when you said, at my age I’m not about to buy one now!! Love it! I think we were all raised to make bread in a large bowl or just on the countertop. I thought I was in heaven when I got my first Bosch bread Mixer! LOL! It’s still nice to know how to make bread, biscuits, bagels or whatever without electricity. Great comment as always, my friend, Linda

      Reply

  13. We’ve talked about a toilet riser to make things easier for adults, but don’t forget about the kids, you need a toddler toilet insert to help them. My daughter bought a cool looking one that folded to carry in the diaper bag, but my granddaughter refused to use it. Amazon has this one that seems affordable. https://amzn.to/42KPC2R
    I have a handicapped bedside commode that we will use in an emergency. It has a smaller bucket that can be emptied, however, if multiple people in a family were needing to use it, it might be more effective to put a 5 gallon bucket under it. I have often seen them at thrift stores.

    If you come across one in a yardsale or thrift store, another item that would be nice is a wheelchair. If you had to evacuate and have an elderly person or an injured person, the wheelchair would be very good to have. Or you can pile your BOB or luggage in the chair and push it instead of carrying all the items.

    Thanks for the link to the cut free gloves, that would be good to have and I added them to my list of things I want to buy.

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    1. Hi Topaz, thank you for these great tips, yes we need adult and toddler portable toilets! Yard sales and thrift stores are the best places to find things we need. That’s a great reminder! Thank you, Linda

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  14. HI Linda:

    One thing I need is a cheese slicer. We like Velveeta Cheese and I like to buy the boxes of it when it is on sale and slice it myself to the thickness my family likes. I had a really good one until my son decided it would be good to Peale a apple one day. To say it did not work is saying something.

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    1. HI Jackie, oh we do need a good cheese slicer. I grew up on Velveeta cheese , I like that it’s shelf stable. I hope you find one that works for you. Linda

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  15. RE:Berkey water filters. They have been ‘outed’ with resulting lawsuits regarding the fact that they tampered with their test results, even to having their special filters ADDING toxic metals into the water rather than filtering them out. A good substitute for them is ProOne. I’m not affiliated with ProOne, and get nothing from suggesting them, but they do have third party testing and the results have been good. Their filters will fit the Berkey gravity tanks. Note: they were recently sold to Culligan, and may no longer be making the filters. I’m not sure. I unsubscribed to their sales, so I don’t know. I had stocked up on probably more than 100 filters, so I’m good to go. I have two berkey tanks, (2 because I couldn’t find the first one), then saw the issues with Berkey, found ProOne and bought one of their tank systems. So I have 3. i’m using one now.

    A sewing machine and treadle machine won’t do much good if you don’t have fabric. Yes, you can use old clothing to make new, but eventually those fabrics will become unusable. I have been buying different colors and types of fabric for several years. I usually buy 3 yards of each type. I’m a bit particular about my fabric, only using organic cotton, bamboo, or wool. I don’t like the idea of plastic against my skin, and that is what over 98% of all clothing is made of: plastic.
    I bought a new treadle sewing machine from Amazon a few years ago, and got a new amish cabinet for it from a woman whose husband didn’t agree with her being prepared, and who were downsizing. I got it for a song!

    The internet, libraries, podcasts and documentaries (unless on dvd’s)won’t be available in a lot of situations. Having hard copies of books both fiction and learning, skills, etc will be invaluable as will having hard copies of DVD’s for entertainment and those documentaries and educational DVD’s for learning.
    Great lists!

    @Wendy J Kaubisch: did you know that the higher the toilet, the more bum issues you will have, like hemorrhoids, etc? Nature has provided the best position for elimination: squatting. There is a “Squatty Potty” just for this reason. Yes, I know, the older we get the more difficult it is to sit low, but it really is the healthiest. If you are able, start doing squats to help your glutes and thighs to be able to squat properly.

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    1. Hi Carol, we are all aware of the Berkey filter situation. It really is a shame, in my opinion. They were trying to make a great filter and didn’t realize the government had specific testing that should have been done. Enough said. So many companies over the years have been shut down to due to over regulation in some situations. I don’t want to downplay the Berkey error by any means. I had a blogger friend who sold essentials oils and the FDA shut down her blog. She was not the only one. Those essential oils are still for sale today. They changed the packaging and are now compliant. But it cost this young mama her life savings to stay afloat until the courts cleared the way. I could go on and on. I have a treadle machine but its at my daughters, great reminder, thank you. It’s too bad JoAnn’s Fabrics shut down it was a great place to get fabric for sewing. Great comment, thank you, Linda

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  16. One thing I noticed missing is vegetable peelers. Granted if you have sharp knives that will do the job but since I’ve never mastered using a knife to peel things(still trying though) My tried and true veggie peelers work great. I now have 3 of them, my 50 yr old ecco stainless one and a couple of the OXO peelers as back ups. Oh I have a question on tomatoes, we have a few with cracks around the stem area and other striations on them. I know I can’t can them,Bacteria concerns but are they still good to eat?

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    1. Hi Kathy, the cracks typically mean the tomatoes are getting too much water. I would eat them so long as you pick them right away. When in doubt, Google what the cracks are from. Insects? Too much water? Ask your garden shop in your area what the cracks are. I need to add a vegetable peeler to the list, thank you!!! Linda

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  17. One piece of information I learned when 2000 was supposed to be the end of life as we knew it. Most insurance companies allow the refill of prescriptions up to 5 days before they become due. 5 days early for 12 months will give you a 60 day surplus for most meds. A good surplus for bad weather and other emergencies.

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  18. Linda, this is perhaps the best survivalist list I’ve ever seen. Some thoughts: (1) Under canning, add a canning funnel. Also, rubber gloves; boiling hot jars are not easy to handle. (2) For starting fires, use a propane soldering torch. It works GREAT, far better than kindling and matches. (3) Under Garden Tools, you list a “water key.” I have no idea what that is. (4) For gardening, you need some chalk line (string) to lay out rows. (5) Survivalist books should be in print, on paper, and not electronic-only. I wrote the 7-book Non-Electric Lighting Series. The vast majority of people buy the e-book version (because it’s cheaper than paper). Unfortunately, when the lights go out and they need it most, they won’t have much. But let’s not get negative. You’ve compiled a great list here, Linda. Love it!

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  19. Thanks, Linda, for adding a link to my books. Perhaps the most important title on the list is Book 3, “Lamp Fuels.” It’s about safety as much as anything. Setting your window curtains on fire in the middle of a blackout ain’t gonna help much. I checked out your book, incidentally — “Prepare Your Family For Survival” — and discovered it’s not available. Out of print?

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  21. Screening material to repair window and door screens, spline material and the hand tool to install. If out of power in the summer, we would be opening all the windows and damaged screens would be an open invitation for bugs.

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  22. Just FYI for all those using taller toilets/methods: I get that older people have a difficult time getting up from low places like a toilet. However, you are risking your “bottom” health by doing so. Nature has made us to squat to do business.
    That is the natural position for defecating. It puts the rectum in a position to eliminate easier. All other positions are unhealthy for us.
    Going higher will cause issues with our rectum and the entire digestive system. Perhaps having a bar, similar to a stair handrail, would be better.
    I know it isn’t a popular fact, but it is healthier.

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  23. Under sewing you should add having material to sew with. I have purchased over the years, lots and lots of 3 yards of different colored material. I figure that is the amount to make a top for me, with a bit extra for underwear, LOL!
    Under building materials, in addition to “scrap wood” you should also have several lengths of 2×4’s and sheets of plywood for larger projects.

    Reply

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