25 Additional Items to Have on Your Bug-In List

I’m on the tail end of Hurricane Sandy – we had high winds, freezing rain, and power outages but apparently my area’s going to be slammed and it won’t be safe to go out. Certainly not the same as being in the midst of a life threatening emergency yet, but we often only think of the bare minimum items for survival through disasters – but what happens when minor or major events stretch on?

Both minor and major events force us to adapt. Aside from media smear campaigns painting preppers (people with common sense) as wackos and terrorists, most people are warming up to the idea of being prepared. Maybe they are eco-conscious and are naturally leaning towards doing without, or are romanticizing old times away from the technocratic rat race, or maybe scary news stories finally lit a fire beneath them.

If you were hunkered in for an indefinite amount of time what would you wish you had picked up when you had the chance? If you are experiencing minimal effects from the storm, it’s not too late!

For instance, do you know of easy ways to keep clean without water? Super easy to pick up at the store and bug-out with. What about medicinal items that treat a variety of problems when you can’t get help? What item in your cabinet also serves as an emergency candle that burns for 45 hours? What small remedy can immediately calm down anyone facing trauma, fear or hysterics? What cabinet item serves as a strengthening elixir for weakness, hunger, and blood sugar imbalance?

This list assumes that you have major necessities – the ones that would be cleaned out of a store when news of an event surfaces and people stampede in a frenzy. It assumes that you not made of money but already have a way to protect yourself, canned foods, drinking water and ways to have light in a blackout. You may or may not have a generator but you can pick one up – stores are currently advertising them.

Most of these items are comforting, multi-functional and can be picked up in most supermarkets – most can also easily fit in a bug-out bag ready for evacuation. This isn’t to say these are things that you personally would prefer and it’s a warm open welcome for you to add your own and help others! Try to think of the perspectives of your loved ones – women, men, children, elderly, etc.

Here are more than 25 small, inexpensive, easy-to-obtain items to think about:

No Rinse Shampoo also called Dry Shampoo and Wet Wipes
Board Games/Puzzles/Cards/Portable DVD Player
Portable toilet or even better – a toilet lid made to fit over a 5-gallon bucket
Molasses – make a tea for strength
Non-electric chargers
Raw milk & fresh eggs – don’t require immediate refrigeration
Snacks/snacks/snacks
Supplements & Bulk spices
Make extra bags of ice
Essential Oils and homeopathic kits
Crisco acts as an emergency candle, just place a wick and light
Tea bags/Instant coffee bags easy to use in a cup of boiled water
Break-type hot pads (hand warmers) and ice packs
Thermal Underwear
Camping propane tanks with burner for easily boiling water
Hydrogen Peroxide and Witch Hazel (also great for waterless bath!)
Real books
Mini trampoline or jump rope
Solar windup radio
Ham radio or CB radio
Cooler
Duct tape/paracord/plastic wrap/plastic sheets
Cigarettes/booze/chocolate/comfort foods
Ibuprophen, over-the-counters and other aids
Lip Balm
Rescue Remedy – Bach flower remedy (extremely profound) to calm down when facing any-level crisis
Cash, small bills