Preppers get a bad rap for doing their part to make sure their homes are same when SHTF — sometimes, from both sides of the fence. Those who aren’t in the know dismiss these steps as a waste of time and money to prepare for something that might not even come. However, those who are looking to start can sometimes be overwhelmed by the effort it takes to be ready.
While we can’t do much about the first group, those who want to start prepping but feel it’s “too much, too soon” can rest easy. Preparedness is a state of mind, and it’s something that you can achieve right in the comfort of your own house.
If you’ve been keeping up to date with prepper articles here at Natural News, you’re probably familiar with some of the words that are commonly used like survival cache and bug-out bag (BOB). But before you head out to buy a great BOB, you can first look for things that you can use at home as some household items that you may find lying around can be repurposed to create potent homemade remedies in a SHTF situation. These items include:
- Epsom salts
- Duct tape
- Black pepper
- Peppermint
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Contractor bags
- Speaker wire
- Towels
- Lye
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
- Plaster of Paris
For starters, you can stash these in every room in your house in so-called “survival buckets,” which should have each of these items. It’s also worth noting that many of the items on the list except for lye can be bought in bulk or large packages and broken down into smaller packets to fit each bucket.
The next thing that you must do is understand how to use these items properly in a survival situation. For instance, Epsom salt, which is good for relaxing baths, can also be ingested together with lemon juice and water as a palatable laxative.
Another pro tip for those looking to make their own household remedies is to invest in durable tools and good-quality safety gear and protection equipment. Tools, in particular, are a dime a dozen, but you’ll only need three types: One to reshape any material (like knives and rulers), one to remove materials (like sandpaper and polishing agents), and one to join materials together (like hammers and glue).
Consider these factors when making your remedies
SHTF situations can happen anytime. Consider being set back financially or getting a serious medical emergency — these are scenarios that require you to think fast or suffer the consequences. Fortunately, with the right mindset, you can be assured that you have the right remedies to deal with most emergencies. Here are some things to think about:
- Which herbs should you have (or grow)? Medicinal plants are your best friends in a SHTF scenario — they're readily available, inexpensive, and can be easily prepared. All you need to do is to know which one is used for what condition. Consider the risk factors that you and those living with you have and start stocking up (or growing) the right herbs from there. You can also check out these 10 medicinal herbs that you should have when SHTF.
- How do you sterilize tools when SHTF? Some situations may require you to use tools like towels and knives to treat injuries and infections. However, not knowing how to prepare these tools can make a seemingly small injury worse so be sure to read up on these topics and learn the basics.
- How do chemicals and materials interact with each other? The items in your survival bucket are pretty potent remedies when used properly. On the other hand, they can also be very harmful to your health if you do not handle them with care. For instance, lye, a chemical used to make soap, should never be stored in an aluminum container as the reaction between the two creates extremely dangerous hydrogen gases.
The takeaway: Nothing is better than doing your own research to understand what you need to do with the items in your survival bucket. If you're itching to start your research, Preparedness.news has more stories on how to start making your own homemade remedies for just about anything.
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