Step 9 – Shopping List
Shopping Lists
There are three shopping lists provided below:
- Grocery or Warehouse Shopping List (your local grocery store and or a warehouse store like Costco)
- General Shopping List (like Target or Walmart)
- Online Shopping (Amazon)
PRIORITY items first
This is a comprehensive shopping list. It includes A LOT of options for various categories of items. You are not meant to buy everything on the list! For example, there are 10 options for a stove and/or oven. Pick the one that suits your budget the best. And most people can’t afford to buy everything all at once. You will want to build your Disaster Kit over time. Start with the most important items first:
FEMA BASIC KIT: water, food, first aid kit, whistle, fuel to boil water, radios, flashlights, batteries, wrench to turn off gas, anti-bac wipes, manual can opener, plastic sheeting & duct tape, filter mask and garbage bags with ties (for sanitation).
Grocery or Warehouse Shopping List
Here is the list of items to purchase at your local grocery or warehouse store. I prefer to buy my cans of food at a warehouse store because they come in cases of 8-12 cans. They are easier to store and they will all have the same expiration date.
I rotate things like peanut butter and oatmeal because it will expire. So I just make sure I have extra on hand and rotate new jars/boxes to the back of my pantry.
The quantities are based on a 1 WEEK meal plan.
CLICK HERE to Print this Grocery List
| Quantity | Item |
|---|---|
| TOP PRIORITY Family of Four + 1 Pet 4 people x 3 days = 12 Gallons PLUS 1 Gallon for Pet | FEMA Basic Kit Item-Food & Water for 3 DAYS 13 Gallons of Water |
| For Family of Four: 6 cans for 3 Days 14 cans for 7 Days | Peaches (15 oz can) |
| For Family of Four: 6 cans for 3 Days 14 cans for 7 Days | Pineapple Can (20 oz can) |
| For Family of Four: 6 cans for 3 Days 14 cans for 7 Days | Apricots (15 oz can) |
| 2 | Corn (15 oz can) |
| 2 | Carrots (15 oz can) |
| 2 | Green Beans (15 oz can) |
| 4 | Chili cans (15 oz can) |
| 2 | Peanut Butter (1 jar) |
| 2 | Oatmeal (Box of 10 packets) |
| 1 | Tang (72 oz can) |
| 1 | Blue Diamond Almonds (16 oz bag) |
| 1 | FEMA Basic Kit Item Manual can opener to store in Bug Out Bag |
| 1 | CDC Recommended Item Bottle of Unscented Bleach for disinfecting water. |
| 1 | FEMA Basic Kit Item Sanitizer Wipes or Bottle of sanitizer liquid to disinfect hands before food preparation. |
| 1 | Extra Propane Tank for your BBQ if that will be your primary stove. |
| 1 | Bag of briquettes if you don't have a BBQ, propane or butane stove. |
| Lots | Toilet Paper I have a friend who went through a disaster situation due to flooding. Power was down for a long time and the stores were wiped out. He said the one commodity that was in highest demand was toilet paper! No one wants to run out of toilet paper, so keep a good stash of it on hand. ** Put a roll in every car in case you get stranded. ** |
General Store Shopping List
Most of the items on this list are LOW PRIORITY. The items on the Grocery List and the Online Lists are HIGH PRIORITY. They include everything that is recommended by FEMA.
These items can be easily picked up at a store like Target or Walmart. You probably already have a lot of these items.
| Item |
|---|
| Fill or purchase Propane Tanks for BBQ (Make sure you have fuel to boil water!) |
| Small Propane Tanks for camping stove and heater (optional if you have them) |
| Cotton balls for first aid supplies. |
| Travel toothbrushes with toothpaste for each family member |
| Feminine supplies (tampons etc) |
| Cooking Utensils |
| Kleenex packages |
| Pair of dish washing gloves |
| Plastic eating utensils (See discussion in Step 8) |
| Paper plates (See discussion in Step 8) |
| Safety pins |
| Scissors |
| Toenail clippers |
| Pad of paper, pens, pencils |
| Garbage bags with ties for sanitation |
| Extra zip lock bags (varying sizes) |
Online Shopping
The rest of your supplies can be purchased online. The items are broken down into categories, with the priority items being listed first.
Portable Water for the car and Bug Out Bin ...
You could be on the road for awhile. Make sure you have water! I have 12 of the Blue Cans which gives me 18 cups of water. That gives each person 4.5 cups of water. I also keep a gallon of water by my Bug Out Bin as a reminder to grab as much water as I can.
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Case of 24 Blue Cans of Water (50 year shelf life) 16 in BOB 4 in each car ON A BUDGET: Buy these with friends and split the cost. | FEMA Basic Kit Item-Food & Water These cans are not cheap but they last 50 years!!! They get great reviews on taste, even when left in the heat. And each can holds 12 ounces (or 1.5 cups). I personally chose this option because I saw it as a one time investment. I then put the cans in the cars and in our Bug Out Bins. I love that I don't have to ever worry about rotating them! |
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| Datrex Water Pouches (125 ml or 1/2 cup each) (5 year shelf life) pack 6 for each family member and 6 for each pet (e.g. 24 for family of 4) get a case of these and pack some in car backpack | FEMA Basic Kit Item-Food & Water These water pouches are another option for portable water. They are compact and have 5 year shelf life (even in warm conditions). Each pouch containes 125 ml of water (or about 1/2 cup). They pack well and are inexpensive to purchase. The biggest issue I have with the water pouches is that you can't put them down. They also only last 5 years and they have some poor reviews on taste. |
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| Insulated Bag for 3600 Bars and Water | You will want to store the 3600 Calorie Bars and portable water in insulated bags if you plan to put them in the car. These bags will help protect its contents against high temperatures. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Water purifiers to treat water for drinking and storage ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
  | Unscented Bleach | Have bleach on hand to disinfect water. Purchase at Grocery Store. |
| Water Purification Tablets (e.g. Portable Aqua Iodine Tablest and Neutralizer Tabs) Makes questionable water safe for drinking | Water purification tablets are cheap and easy to carry. They use iodine which can unfortunately make the water taste badly. This brand comes with PA Plus which is supposed to remove the bad taste. The tablets are NOT effective against Cryptosporidium, and the Iodine can be an issue for pregnant women or people with thyroid conditions. I keep these in my BOB just as backup. |
|
| Aquamira Water Treatment Drops (using Chlorine Dioxide) | This is another cheap and easy solution for disinfecting water and killing waterborne pathogens. It uses chlorine dioxide, so it doesn't produce the aftertaste that you get with iodine. The AquaMira Website explains it's effectiveness against viruses, bateria and cysts including cryptosporidium and giardia. Aquamira is also excellent for use with water storage. Adding it to your storage containers (see Action 6) will keep the water safe for 5 years. This saves you the hassle of having to change out the water every 6 months. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Water Filters to make water safe for drinking ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System | This is inexpensive and small. It will filter up to 100,000 gallons of water. The downside is that it filters a small amount of water at a time through a straw. It is intended for individual use, making it great for the car but NOT great for an entire family to use. | |
| Survivor Filter Pro | If you can afford it, then a small pump filter is the way to go. It gives you the power to filter larger amounts of water at a much faster rate and you can take it with you if you have to evacuate. I personally own the Survivor Filter Pro and keep it in my Bug Out Bin. The Survivor Filter company is a US company that has done extensive testing on their filters. It is worth reading their link on the quality of their filters. The report indicates that their tests showed that their filter meets CDC requirements for Crypto removal. I also bought their Portable Collapsible Canteens to make it easier to collect the filtered water. | |
| If you want to avoid pumping, then you'll want to look at the filters that use gravity to process the water. The nice thing about this model is that it has a shower attachment. You won't want to be showering in contaminated water. | ||
| Large Water Filter (OPTIONAL): Katadyn TRK Drip Gravidyn Water Filter NOTE:This is LOW priority. It doesn't replace a small filter that transports easily. | The Katadyn Gravidyn is the most expensive, but it filters large amounts of water (10 liters!) into a convenient water station. It is great for family use. It's pretty big and bulky, so you are not going to want to take it in an evacuation situation. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Water Storage for storing larger quantities of water ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aquamira Water Treatment Drops (using Chlorine Dioxide) | This is another cheap and easy solution for disinfecting water and killing waterborne pathogens. It uses chlorine dioxide, so it doesn't produce the aftertaste that you get with iodine. The AquaMira Website explains it's effectiveness against viruses, bateria and cysts including cryptosporidium and giardia. Aquamira is also excellent for use with water storage. Adding it to your storage containers (see Action 6) will keep the water safe for 5 years. This saves you the hassle of having to change out the water every 6 months. | |
  | Water Preserver | This water preserver can be added to stored tap water to keep the water safe for up to 5 years (so that you don't have to change it out every 3-6 months). You simply add the preserver into the container as you are filling it with water. |
  | Reliance 7 Gallon Containers | These water jugs are a great way to store water in the garage. The advantage of the 7 gallon containers is that you can bring them into the house as you need them. Just be aware that 7 gallons of water is VERY heavy! These containers are not expensive. The key thing is that you want to store them in a cool place. Thoroughly wash the containers before storing the water! |
  | Augason Farms 55 Gallon Emergency Water Storage Supply Kit | This is an excellent option for increasing your water storage if you have the space. It includes a 55 gallon container along with the Aqua Mira treatment bottles, bottle opener, siphon hose and hand pump. It covers all of the bases! Just remember that you won't be able to move it easily once it is filled. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Food Plan - Using Mountain House Kits with additional items ...
Here are a list of the Mountain House Kits that provide meals for 2 to 5 days. To create a week meal plan, you can combine the 3 and 4 Day Meal Kits or the 2 and 5 Day Meal Kits. Check out Step 4 - Make a Food Plan for more details.
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MH 2 Day Emergency Food Kit for 1 person: Breakfast Skillet (2), Rice & Chicken (2), Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (2) NOTE: The numbers indicate the number of pouches for that meal. Each pouch has TWO 1-cup servings in it. | BUY ONE FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. Meals in this Kit: Breakfast Skillet (2), Rice & Chicken (2), Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (2) |
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| MH 3 Day Emergency Food Kit for 1 person: Biscuits & Gravy (1), Scrambled Eggs with Bacon (2), Beef Stroganoff (2), Chicken Terriyaki (1), Pasta Primavera (2), Rice & Chicken (1) | BUY ONE FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. Meals in this Kit: Biscuits & Gravy (1), Scrambled Eggs with Bacon (2), Beef Stroganoff (2), Chicken Terriyaki (1), Pasta Primavera (2), Rice & Chicken (1) |
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| MH 4 Day Emergency Food Kit for 1 person: Breakfast Skillet (2),Granola with Blueberries (2), Beef Stew (2), Italian Style Pepper Steak (2), Lasagna (2), Noodles & Chicken (2) | BUY ONE FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. Meals in this Kit: Breakfast Skillet (2),Granola with Blueberries (2), Beef Stew (2), Italian Style Pepper Steak (2), Lasagna (2), Noodles & Chicken (2) |
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| MH 5 Day Emergency Food Kit for 1 person: Biscuits & Gravy (2), Breakfast Skillet (2), Scrambled Eggs w/ Ham (2), Chicken Fried Rice (2), Chili Mac (2), Mac & Cheese (2), Mexican Rice & Chicken (2), Pasta Primavera (2) | BUY ONE FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER. Meals in this Kit: Biscuits & Gravy (2), Breakfast Skillet (2), Scrambled Eggs w/ Ham (2), Chicken Fried Rice (2), Chili Mac (2), Mac & Cheese (2), Mexican Rice & Chicken (2), Pasta Primavera (2) |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Remember to add these items to fill out the meal plan with snacks vegetables.
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AF Freeze Dried Broccoli(#10 can) | This freeze dried broccoli can help add vegetables to your meals. You can use freeze dried cheddar cheese to add flavor to it. | |
| Freeze Dried Sharp Cheddar Cheeze (10 oz) | OPTIONAL: This can be used on vegetables to add flavor (especially if you have picky eaters). Please note that this comes in a 10 ounce can (not #10 can). |
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| MH Pilot Crackers (#10 can) | Combine these crackers with peanut butter (if no nut allergies) for a high protein snack. | |
  | Datrex 3600 Calorie Food Bar 2 for 1 Week Meal Plan 2 for Bug Out Bag 2 for car | FEMA Basic Kit Item An earthquake, bad winter storm or road accident can bring traffic to a complete standstill for HOURS! These 3600 Calorie food bars will make sure you don’t go hungry. They be stored in the car for up to 5 years. ALSO Purchase as snacks for meal plan |
| Insulated Bag for 3600 Bars and Water | You will want to store the 3600 Calorie Bars and portable water in insulated bags if you plan to put them in the car. These bags will help protect its contents against high temperatures. | |
| SOS 3600 Calorie Food Bar | Purchase as snacks for meal plan, food for car and food for Bug Out Bin. | |
| ER Emergency Ration 3600 Calorie Bar | Purchase as snacks for meal plan, food for car and food for Bug Out Bin. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Food Plan - Picking your own meals to make your custom plan ...
If you have decided to do a custom meal plan, then you will want to choose the freeze dried meals that will best suit your family. Use this link to see the incredible variety of meals that are available. Be sure to check out Step 4 - Make a Food Plan to see sample meal plans. That will give you an idea of how many #10 cans to purchase. Then modify it according to how many servings your family will need.
Check out: A LIST OF Available Freeze Dried Meals
Don't forget to add the vegetables and snack food listed below!
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Food Preparation - stoves, ovens and fuel for boiling water ...
Fuel and Heating
Fuel is vital since you will need it to boil water and stay warm heat. Review Step 5 - Make Fuel, Heating, Power Plan to get guidance on what to purchase.
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BBQlighter | This is an important tool in your fuel plan since a lot of these options require a flame. | |
 | Tin Can Stove | The most economical option is to build a camp stove from a tin can. Makezine provides detailed instructions on how to do this. I'm not sure how efficient this type of oven will be, especially if you need to boil a lot of water. I would test it out before relying on it for a disaster situation. |
| Bags of charcoal briquettes | Briquettes are great because they are very economical and you can use them with a grill or a dutch oven (these are covered in the oven section below). You can get very inexpensive grills for under $20 at hardware or general stores like Target and Walmart. If you are on a tight budget, you can create a grill using a flower pot. I keep one bag of charcoal in a sealed plastic box in the garage. It is my backup and will be used for my Dutch Oven baking. A very useful accessory for charcoal cooking is a briquette or chimney starter. | |
  | 20 lb Propane for BBQ | I recommend getting the propane tanks locally. A propane BBQ is an excellent resource for cooking during an emergency. If you're going to rely on your outdoor BBQ for cooking, then make sure you have a good supply of propane! I keep 3 tanks on hand at all times. The more the better. The downside to the BBQ is that it must be used outdoors. |
| Esbit Ultralight Folding Stove with Fuel | This is a great economic and portable option for fuel (you can easily add this to your bug out bag). One tablet of fuel boils 500 ml (2 1/4 cups) of water in 8 minutes. You can buy the fuel cubes in a 12 pack for $12 at Amazon as an Add-on item. Reviewers note that they have used charcoal and even tea light candles with this stove, so you are not limited to the fuel tablets. The Esbit fuel is NOT safe for indoor use. | |
| Sterno Folding Stove and Sterno Cooking Fuel | This stove is economical AND uses a fuel that can be used indoors. Sterno Entertainment Cooking Fuel is safe to use indoors. Each can burns up to 2 hours. It is what caterers use to keep food warm. This is a good option for apartment dwellers who may not be allowed to have a BBQ on the premises. | |
| Coleman Bottle Top Propane Stove | This stove is economical, practical and easy to store. If you are preparing meals for a family, then you will need to boil at least 4-6 cups of water with each meal. This Coleman stove can manage an 8 inch pan. I think it would be risky to put a big pot of water on it though. A 16.4 oz propane tank will give 2.5 hours of heat on high. Purchase propane tanks at a local store or on Amazon. Propane is NOT safe for indoor use. | |
| Ohuhu Portable Wood Burning Stove | The advantage of this stove is that it burns wood which you could gather outside. According to the Amazon page, it can also use charcoal or Sterno alcohol-based fuel (see notes above on Sterno fuel). | |
| Ohuhu Camp Stove Windshield | Protects the stove against wind in case you need to use it outdoors during bad weather. | |
| Iwatani Portable Butane Burner | This is a GREAT option for people who live in apartments. It uses butane and this particular burner is CSA Commercial Indoor Approved. It is rated for Commercial Indoor use because it requires proper ventilation for indoor use, so be sure to have good ventilation if you use it indoors. I own one of these and it heats things very quickly. | |
| Butane for Iwatani Stove | You'll need specific Butane canisters for the Iwatani Stove. You can sometimes find deals at asian stores. | |
| Coleman Classic Propane Stove | This is a nice stove that provides two burners and also uses the small propane tanks. We bought this for camping. I like that it takes the same propane tanks as Mr. Heater so that I can use the fuel for either the stove or the heater. You can purchase the small propane tanks locally or on Amazon. | |
| BioLite Wood Burning Campstove | This is an expensive option, BUT the wood burning camp stove can also charge your phone! So it's another option for "Power" as well. | |
| BioLite Wood Burning Campstove with Portable Grill, KettlePot and USB FlexLight | You can purchase the BioLite Kettle and Grill separately, but it is more economical to buy the entire kit if you plan to also purchase those items. | |
| Camping Cookware | If you see yourself needing to boil water in an evacuation scenario, then you'll need a pot. A more economical solution is to just throw a small pot and wooden spoon into your BOB. | |
| Volcano Portable Camping Grill | I list this last because it's not cheap, but it's compact, versatile (in terms of fuel) and very efficient. You can use propane (connects to a 20 lb tank), charcoal or wood. I like to have an option that uses wood in case I run out of all of my fuel. I can always find some wood! It's portable, so you can easily take it camping or tailgating. Here is a Volcano Collapsible Grill Review. | |
| Volcano Propane Valve Adapter | This valve adapter will allow you to connect the Volcano Grill to a propane tank. | |
| Camping Stove and Oven | This is the top of the line camping stove! It runs off of propane and has the advantage of being both a stove and an oven. I'm considering buying one of these to be my second oven during holidays. Cooks up to 5 hours on high heat with 1 pound can of propane. | |
| Home Made Solar Oven | Here are instructions on how to make a Solar Oven. I have this printed and in my binder. We always have a million boxes around and lots of foil. I figure I'd use this as a last resort … provided the disaster happened in the summer time. | |
| Lodge Cast Iron 6qt 12 inch Dutch Oven | The dutch oven is so versatile. This one is made of iron so it will be heavy! It has been pre-seasoned, but you'll need to use cast iron techniques for cleaning (no soap). Make sure you get the dutch ovens with feet.Don't forget to get briquettes if you get a dutch oven! | |
| Anodized Dutch Oven – 12 Inch | This dutch oven is made of anodized aluminum so it's 1/3 the weight of the iron one. I have a bad back, so I went with the lighter one (even though it's quite a bit more expensive). You can clean anodized aluminum with soap and water.Don't forget to get briquettes if you get a dutch oven! | |
| Dutch Oven Lid Lifter | Regardless of which dutch oven you choose, you will want the lid lifter as an accessory. The lids can get crazy hot because you will place charcoal on the lids as well as underneath the oven! The lid lifter is worth the investment! **MAKE SURE you also invest in some good leather gloves. I have them listed on the Shopping List for this and for removing debris after a disaster.** | |
| Charcoal starter for use with Dutch Oven | Another really handy accessory for the dutch oven is a charcoal starter. It's just a more efficient way to get the charcoal hot before you place them above and below the dutch oven. | |
| Dutch Oven Cooking | This is a great website with lots of information on how to cook with a dutch oven. | |
| Cooking the Dutch Oven Way | I checked out a bunch of books at the library on dutch oven cooking. In the end, this was my favorite book. It's filled with recipes. It's out of print, but you can get one used on Amazon for cheap. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
First Aid - first aid kit and additional Items that don't expire ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Only All Purpose First Aid Kit (299 Pieces) | FEMA Basic Kit Item You want to start with a First Aid Kit that has a large supply of the basics. I really like the First Only All Purpose 299 kit. It is reasonably priced, compact and includes a wide range of bandages. |
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| ACEP First Aid Manual | I know how to apply a bandaid. OK, I could probably handle a sprained ankle, but my nursing skills are limited. This is a very comprehensive book that will be my medical go-to-book if we can’t get to medical staff. | |
| U.S. Armed Forces Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Survival Manual | Surviving a nuclear or chemical attack is a concern as tensions increase with North Korea (particularly for Hawaii and the west coast). The U.S. Armed Forces Nuclear, Biological And Chemical Survival Manualis a book that provides guidance on how to survive a nuclear, biological or chemical attack. | |
| Small First Aid Kit for car | FEMA Basic Kit Item Injuries can happen when you are away from home. A first aid kit in the car keeps your family prepared! |
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| N95 Mask-Regular Size Box of 20 | FEMA Basic Kit Item Dust masks are on Ready America list. Upgrading to N95 masks makes them pandemic ready as well. |
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| Disposable Gloves | ||
| Digital Medical Thermometer Box of 20 | If you have pets, make sure you get TWO thermometers. You won't want to be sharing that! | |
| Iodine Prep Pads | Used for antiseptic skin preparation. Recommended for both human and pet first aid. | |
| QuikClot Clotting Gauze | ||
| CELOX Blood-Clotting Crystals | ||
| Green Stix-Disposable styptic pencils | Use to stop bleeding. Recommended for humans and pets. | |
| Cotton Balls | Cotton balls are useful when using the rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and Betadine. Purchase these at your local pharmacy. | |
| Petroleum Jelly | ||
| Recommended for both human and pet first aid. | ||
| Can be used for humans and pets. | ||
| Instant Ice Packs (This is the best deal on ice packs but it's more ice packs that you need. Try to split with someone. | ||
| HotHands 18 hr Warmers (instant heat pack) | It can get really cold if your car breaks down in the winter! These heat packs last 18 hours and will keep everyone warm as you wait for help to arrive. They are especially great when combined with the Reflective Thermal Blankets below. These can also be used as heat packs for your First Aid Kit. |
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| HotFeet 18 hr Warmers | ||
| Glasses Repair Kit (if anyone wears glasses) | ||
| Needle Nose Pliers | Use these to remove foreign objects. Recommended for Pet first aid. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
First Aid - first aid items that DO expire ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IOSAT Potassium Iodide Tablets-5 PACKETS 5 Packet Supply 10 Packet Supply | The thyroid gland is sensitive to radioactive iodide during a nuclear incident. These tablets are used in a nuclear radiation emergency to block access to the thyroid. We live in California. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, there was a period where we didn’t know if the west coast would be exposed to radiation. These tablets immediately sold out. They were selling on Craigslist for $100 a packet!!! I was happy that I had these in my kit and had paid much less! I highly recommend adding this to your First Aid Kit, especially given the current climate with nuclear weapons. I also recommend a book on surviving Nuclear, Biological and Chemical disasters. The duct tape and sheeting are for sheltering in place during a biological or chemical disaster. Click here for the CDC sheet on taking Potassium Iodide. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission provides Frequently Asked Questions About Potassium Iodide that includes information on it's shelf life. You may want to add this to your binder. Plan for one packet for each family member for use in nuclear emergencies. Each packet has a 2 week supply. |
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| Burn Dressing | ||
| Dental Repair Kit | ||
| Saline Eye Wash | Recommended for both human and pet first aid kits. | |
| Cortizone | Cortizone for treating skin irritations. | |
| Polysporin | Antibiotic ointment. | |
| Imodium AD | Used to relieve symptoms of diarrhea, cramps, bloating and gas. | |
| Activated Charcoal | Helps with digestion issues. | |
| Recover ORS | This is a great product to address hydration after diarrhea or vomiting. It helps replenish electrolytes. | |
| Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), cold/flu meds | You probably have these on hand. Put some in small pill boxes and store with your Bug Out Bin. More information on this at the First Aid Page | |
| Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and Betadine | You probably have these on hand. Put some in travel bottles and store with your Bug Out Bin. More information on this at the First Aid Page |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Safety Items - gas wrench, radios, lights and whistles ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas and Water Shutoff Wrench This is important to own! Make sure you can turn the gas off. Store the wrench in an outside location. Make sure everyone knows where it is stored and how to use it! | FEMA Basic Kit Item IMMEDIATE SAFETY A gas leak is dangerous! This is a priority purchase! You want to be able to turn off gas or water if the pipes break during a disaster. PG&E recommends that you only turn the gas off if you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line or suspect a leak. Only a PG&E employee can turn it back on, so don't turn it off unnecessarily. It could be a long time before someone could get to your home after a major disaster. |
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| Midland Consumer Radio | FEMA Basic Kit Item It is important to have a radio with NOAA Weather band frequencies, flashlight and cell charger. I also make sure my radios can be powered by batteries, hand crank or by solar panel. I want to make sure I can get updates on any disaster recovery. What sets these radios apart from others is their durability and their ability to run on good old AA or AAA BATTERIES! |
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Running Snail Radio | FEMA Basic Kit Item I keep a Running Snail radio in each car. The reason I like this radio is that it takes AAA batteries. I want multiple sources of energy. If a disaster strikes at night, then solar won't be an option. I don't want to be left cranking the radio the entire time, so I like to have the option to use good old batteries. |
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| Hausbell Ultra Bright Mini | FEMA Basic Kit Item LED Flashlights - preferably 1 for each family member. |
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| LED Headlamp(s) | FEMA Basic Kit Item LED Headlamps are a great safety item for the car. It will allow you to work on things with both hands. I keep one in my Bug Out Bin and one in each car. |
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| LED Lantern | FEMA Basic Kit Item Small flashlights are great for getting around, but you will want something more powerful to light up a room during a power outage. This little lantern is VERY bright. It's great for lighting up a room. |
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| LED Lantern | FEMA Basic Kit Item This is another favorite lantern. These guys pack a punch and they are very economical since you get 2 lanterns. |
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| Batteries for Radio and Flashlights | FEMA Basic Kit Item Make sure you have a GOOD supply of batteries for the radios and flashlights flashlights. The Midland radio takes AA batteries as a backup option. The Vont Lanterns also use AA batteries. |
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| Batteries for Radio and Flashlights | FEMA Basic Kit Item The Running Snail radio takes AAA batteries as a backup option. I keep a set of these in the car with the radio. |
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| D Batteries for Lanterns | The Supernova lantern takes D batteries. | |
| HEIMDALL Safety Whistles (2 PACK) 120+ decibals | FEMA Basic Kit Item Remember the scene in "Titanic" where Rose blows the whistle to get the attention of rescuers? A whistle can help rescuers find loved ones in a disaster situation. These whistles are 120 decibels and can be heard over a MILE away! I keep one in each car and in our bedrooms. |
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| 115 Hour Plus Candle | An LED flashlight will have a really long battery life. And if you have backup batteries, then you're going to be in good shape. But batteries sometimes get used and not replaced, so it can be good to have a couple of candles as a safety net. | |
| Waterproof matches | You'll need something to light the candles. I actually keep a box of these in each car. | |
| Lightsticks are an inexpensive light source. They last about 12 hours and are good for highlighting dangerous areas at night. I put them in the car, because they can be used as make-shift flares at night. They are not as effective as flares during the day though. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Safety Items - protection against the elements ...
These products will help keep you warm and dry. They are particularly good for your Car Bag.
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reflective Thermal Blanket | These are great for the car! I keep these and the HotHand warmers in case we get stranded in the winter. I keep 4 in each car and put the other 2 in the Bug Out bin. ** These blankets are part of a Pet First Aid Kit so be sure to get one for your pet. ** |
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| Rain ponchos with hood for each family member | Staying dry is key to staying warm. I keep these inexpensive ponchos in the car at all times. | |
| HotHands 18 hr Warmers (instant heat pack) | These can be combined with the mylar blankets to provide warmth in a car. | |
| Wool Blankets | I bought two wool, military-like blankets for $20 and thought we’d never use them. As it turns out, they have been an awesome addition to the car! They are super warm and spread long enough to cover two people in each row of the car. We have used them when sitting outdoors at restaurants and as impromptu beach blankets. And because they are so thin, they fold up easily. I also have the mylar blankets for an extreme situation. But the wool blankets are great for regular use. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Safety Items - gas wrench, duct tape, plastic and tools for removing debris after disaster ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas and Water Shutoff Wrench This is important to own! Make sure you can turn the gas off. Store the wrench in an outside location. Make sure everyone knows where it is stored and how to use it! | FEMA Basic Kit Item IMMEDIATE SAFETY A gas leak is dangerous! This is a priority purchase! You want to be able to turn off gas or water if the pipes break during a disaster. PG&E recommends that you only turn the gas off if you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line or suspect a leak. Only a PG&E employee can turn it back on, so don't turn it off unnecessarily. It could be a long time before someone could get to your home after a major disaster. |
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| Duct Tape | FEMA Basic Kit Item This is on the Ready America list for sheltering in place. There are so many uses for duct tape. I keep a roll in my Bug Out Bin. It is important to have this on hand in case you need to seal windows in doors. |
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| Plastic Sheeting | FEMA Basic Kit Item This is on the Ready America list for sheltering in place. I recommend heavy duty plastic sheeting because you will want something easy to cut if you have to cover windows and doors. |
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| Fire Extinguisher | Make sure you have a good fire extinguisher! It will give you the ability to put out any small fires after a disaster. | |
| Car Safety - Window Breaker and Seatbelt Cutter | Imagine being trapped in a car because the electric windows won't work or the seatbelt won't release! Make sure your loved ones have this tool in their car so that they can escape if needed. It has a hammer for breaking the window and a razor for slicing the seatbelt. | |
| Multi-Function Tool | A multi function tool gives you an assortment of tools in a very compact package. I keep one in each car. | |
| Rope | Rope is like duct tape. There are a lot of uses, especially in an emergency situation where there is a lot of debris. I keep rope in each car and in the Bug Out bin. | |
| Chainmate Pocket Chain Saw for car | This is low priority but useful in some situations. I keep one in the car in case we were stranded and needed to build a fire. It's useful for those that live in rural areas that might find themselves stranded or driving on roads with fallen branches during winter time. | |
| Folding Saw for home To cut through debris or to cut wood for a fire | A saw may be needed to clear debris after a disaster. This is a good option if you don't own a saw. | |
| Leather Gloves | Leather gloves are recommended for clearing debris after a disaster. I keep a pair in the car as well. | |
| Axe (OPTIONAL) | An axe is useful to have to cut wood for fuel or to reach someone if a building as collapsed. Make sure you keep these in a single, well-remembered location where you can get to them quickly! I keep them all in a bin in the backyard in case part of our house has collapsed. | |
| Crowbar (OPTIONAL) | Another tool for clearing debris or getting into hard-to-reach areas to rescue someone. Make sure you keep these in a single, well-remembered location where you can get to them quickly! I keep them all in a bin in the backyard in case part of our house has collapsed. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Warmth - heaters for keeping you warm ...
Here are some heating options that can be used indoors ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Heater F232000 MH9BX Buddy 4,000-9,000-BTU Indoor-Safe Portable Radiant Heater | I own a couple of these for sitting outside in the summer. They are awesome and get rave reviews! They use a small propane tank and can be used indoors. Don't forget to buy propane tanks for the heater! | |
| Mr. Heater MH18B, Portable Propane Heater | More powerful unit. | |
| Mr. Buddy Series Hose Assembly (10 ft) | Allows you to connect your Buddy Heater to a larger propane tank. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Power - options for keeping your phones charged ...
You are going to want to keep your cell phone charged so that you can try to communicate with families and friends! Here are some options for power. Review Step 5 - Make Fuel, Heating, Power Plan to get guidance on what to purchase.
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dual USB Solar Battery Charger and External Battery Includes an external battery that you can pre-charge but has less powerful solar charging capabilites. | Keeping phones charged after a disaster will be very important. That's why you may want to consider getting a battery backup and solar panel cell for USB devices. This is the smaller model, so the solar panel is not as powerful as the one below. But it has the advantage of having a built in battery! So you can charge up the battery and have it ready for a disaster. The solar panel can be used to recharge the battery. | |
| Nekteck 20 W Solar Charger with 2 Port USB Charger Charges quickly but does NOT include an external battery. It only charges if sun is available. | This is the larger model, so it's more expensive. But you need to remember that your whole family will want their phones charged. The downside to this charger is that it does not have a battery, so you can only use it if there is sunlight. That said, I own this charger and it can charge the phone quickly when there is sun. It has ports to charge 2 devices at the same time. | |
| Portable Generator | A generator is expensive but gives you a lot of advantages, since it provides temporary electric power during an outage. You need to use caution when running it (e.g. making sure it stays dry and the exhaust fumes do not enter the house). If you are lucky enough to own a generator, then be sure to keep the necessary oil and fuel on hand to run it. |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
Sanitation - outdoor toilet and manual washing machine ...
| Product | Description/Links | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Toilet | If your home is completely destroyed, you may find yourself having to rely on an outdoor toilet. I saw a news story a woman who survived Katrina and was still using a bucket even 6 months after the hurricane. I decided to make sure my bucket had a toilet seat! Don’t forget to purchase garbage bags with ties. | |
| Garbage Bags for toilet | ||
| Portable Washing Machine( | If there is no electricity for a long time, then you won’t be able to run your washing machine or dryer. You probably have enough clothes to cycle through, but underwear will need cleaning. There are crank washing machines that can handle 5 lbs of laundry in a couple of minutes. It’s not ideal, but better than hand washing everything! |
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Affiliate program which allows me to earn a commission for any sales that I refer. You can easily find these items at other web stores, but I would be grateful if you could buy some of the items through my Amazon links. It helps fund the work I do to maintain and expand this website.
