Home // Off the grid living

These overlooked items are essential when SHTF

By Zoey Sky // Oct 19, 2018

TAGS: bug out, Collapse, disaster, emergencies, off grid, Power Outage, preparedness, prepper, prepping, safety pins, SHTF, survival supplies, Survival Tips, survival tools, survivalist, sustainable living

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Basic prepping tips will tell you that you need to stock up on food supplies, survival gear, and water before SHTF. But did you know that aside from keeping your pantry fully stocked, you may also need these common survival-related items that are often overlooked by some preppers?

This list includes items that you use every day, and as ordinary as they may seem, you may need these supplies when disaster strikes. (h/t to UrbanSurvivalSite.com.)

1. Aluminum foil –When SHTF, aluminum foil can have multiple uses. You can use it to store leftovers, or you can use it to cook food. Just wrap some food in it, then place it near some hot coals to cook. Aluminum foil can also be used to line a cardboard box so you can turn it into a makeshift solar oven.
2. Baby wipes – Even if you don't have babies in the family, you can use baby wipes to clean yourself, especially if water is scarce.
3. Baking soda – Baking soda is already a favorite among preppers because it can be used as a deodorant/deodorizer, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, soap, or toothpaste when combined with other common ingredients.
4. Books – When society collapses and you lose access to the internet, you'll need books so you can stay informed. Aside from survival books, you can start stocking up on non-fiction and fiction books so the whole family can stay entertained even when you don't have power.
5. Candy – Survival food lists don't usually include candy, but this sweet treat is a must. You can use candy to boost the morale of both kids and adults, and it's a handy dessert. More importantly, you can use candy for bartering. Keep hard candy in your stockpile since this kind of candy has a long shelf-life.
6. Coffee – Aside from helping you focus and stay awake, coffee is another crucial bartering item when SHTF. You can also use coffee to give your survival group a sense of normalcy when things seem bleak. Buy coffee that comes in a metal can that you can use even after the coffee is all gone. Stock up on coffee filters since you can also use them to filter other liquids.
7. Duct tape – Duct tape is a versatile item, and you can use it to patch up almost anything, from tents to torn clothes. In a pinch, duct tape can also be used to make cordage or splints.
8. Floss – In SHTF situations, dental floss can be used as a fishing line, as a substitute for thread, or as a fire starter. Floss can also be used for stitching up open wounds. If you have threaded dental floss, you can use it as temporary shoelaces.
9. Games – In a survival scenario, you'll need to keep your loved ones entertained. Board games and playing cards can keep the kids occupied while the adults in your group take care of their assigned tasks around the house.
10. Garbage bags – You'll need garbage bags to get rid of the trash in your camp, but you can also use them to gather supplies. Garbage bags can also be used to keep things dry.
11. Hand sanitizer – If you have hand sanitizer, you can avoid disease and infections at home or in your camp even if you don't have access to running water. A hand sanitizer can also be used to start fires because it has a high alcohol content.
12. Paper and writing utensils – In the event of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) or a solar flare, your city could lose power. Once this happens, you'll need some paper and pens or pencils so you can take notes. Stock up on college-ruled spiral notebooks, pens, and mechanical pencils.
13. Safety pins – Safety pins are cheap, and they can have tons of survival uses. Use these handy items as improvised tweezers, makeshift fishing hooks, or for attaching items to the outside of a backpack.

If you already have these items in your survival cache, it wouldn't hurt to add more so you're ready when SHTF.

You can browse more articles about other versatile survival supplies at Preparedness.news.

Sources include:

UrbanSurvivalSite.com

OffTheGridNews.com

bug out Collapse disaster emergencies off grid Power Outage preparedness prepper prepping safety pins SHTF survival supplies Survival Tips survival tools survivalist sustainable living

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