You Can Never Be Too Prepared. Identify the Home Storage Items Your Family Does Not Want to Be Caught Without. Here’s a Top 10 List to Get You Started.
I tend to focus a lot on food storage. I guess I would say I use it as a buffer against the craziness in the world. As long as you have food life can’t be too bad, right?
But there is more to preparedness than having the ability to have a full tummy in an emergency. There are other non-food items you need to have in your home storage if you want to really be prepared.
The first step is just to take an inventory of what you have and then identify what you are missing, the process is easy
- Make a list of all the non-food items you would like to have around
- Identify the average cost and top price you’re willing to pay for it
- Set a monthly budget for these extra items – even $10 makes a difference
- Look for sales as you are doing your regular shopping
- If you can’t find an item this week or month, save up the money until you do find it.
Top 10 Non-food Items to Have in Your Home Storage
These are my top 10 items, in no particular order – OK maybe TP would always be my #1!
1. Toilet Paper – We have a crazy amount of TP in storage! I may be a little obsessive about this, but my family always has a bunch of toilet paper on hand. I look for it on sale and stock up. We have supplies of it under every bathroom counter and in storage, under the stairs and in other places you might not even think to look for toilet paper! We will not be caught without it.
Aside from the obvious hygiene benefits, you can use it to make an Emergency Survival Heater and use the inside rolls to make fire starters and make pots for seed starters.
2. Pain relievers and cold medicines – There’s nothing worse than being sick and not having the first aid supplies you need. Check the dollar store for sample items and be sure to rotate them.
3. Batteries – This one is kinda obvious. Take a look at the most common battery needs for your household and get some of every size, AAA to D.
4. Duct tape – There are so many uses for this, it’s amazing. From tent hole repairs – to bandages – to rope. If you can imagine using duct tape in a project, it will probably work. Check out this fun post from Backdoor Survival for more ideas and the book by Jim Cobb, Duct Tape 911.
5. Paper goods – Having a supply of paper plates, cups, towels and plastic utensils can be invaluable when the power is out. We always use the real thing when we can, but keeping paper goods handy means I don’t have to worry about washing dishes during a power outage. It also comes in handy when unexpected guests drop by!
6. Plastic zip bags – I like to use the heavy duty, freezer storage strength kind. I use them for all kinds of things. I love how you can freeze meals flat and then stand them up on end, they are my top space saver item in the freezer. Zip bags are also great to use in your emergency kits. I can’t think of a better way to keep things separated (your shampoo broke in your kit, Oh No!) and protected from water and mishaps.
7. Soap – Keep some good old bar soap on hand. Along with frequent handwashing, it is your most effective weapon in fighting germs. Better yet, get supplies to make your own soap and learn how to do it.
8. Contractor trash bags – There are about as many uses for a trash bag as there are for duct tape. I’m talking about the black, heavy duty, contractor ones that you can purchase at home repair stores. You can make rope from it, build a tent to stay dry or clean-up a mess in an emergency. Mom With A Prep has some more ideas here.
9. Tarps – Another multi-functional preparedness item, the tarp is invaluable for protecting you, and your things, from the elements. Now, I don’t know if I will ever need to make a sail from it, but this post from Code Name Insight has some other great ideas.
10. Feminine products – Thank goodness for ultra thin pads with wings! Unless you want to go back to the way it was done in the olden days, you should store some additional pads and tampons. The pads we use today were developed as bandages, to absorb the blood of war wounds and can still be used for this purpose. Someone had the bright idea that these things could also be used to absorb menstrual fluid, and thus an industry was born.
Can’t decide what your top 10 non-food items are? We think you can never be too prepared. What are the Emergency Preparedness Supplies your family does not want to be without?
Forget the pricey cleaning supplies. You can clean just about anything as long as you have white vinegar and baking soda. Stock up on the big 5# bags of soda from stores like Costco or BJ’s. Gallons of white vinegar. And there are recipes online for homemade laundry detergent using Borax, washing soda and fels naptha soap. Lots cheaper too.
Don’t forget candles, oil lamps, lots of oil, extra wicks and matches
I’ve taught first aide classes for years. Feminine Pads should not be used for bandages.
Thanks, its helpful.
I would recommend basis essential oils because they don’t expire and can treat so many things.
I made sure to stash a pair of scissors, a can opener, and a sharpie marker in my pantry. I use the scissors and marker all of the time when putting groceries away but it also makes sense to leave them near all of the supplies – just in case. Should also add lighter and candles to the list.
Me too. When I bring canned foods home, I use my sharpie to mark the expiration date on the top of the can. This way I can rotate my canned goods easily. Everyone can see it (without reading glasses). It lets me know at a glance what I need to use soon or what I’m getting low on.
This is a great list to get started and I appreciate how you stress the importance of being prepared. Slowly adding to a stockpile won’t take a big hit on your monthly budget but will set your family up for being prepared in case of a disaster. Top thing on our list? A water/fire safe box with our important documents and an emergency cell phone.