Why a prepping checklist is so important.
Some people may not like them or feel the need for them as they feel they have a good idea of what they will need in any emergency.
Or they have a great memory and do not need a paper list to help them remember the important items they need to stock up on.
But for those who don’t have such a great memory, checklists are a very helpful document.
Here are a few reasons why this is so:
- Checklists make sure you do not forget anything
- They help you prioritize your needs & wants while making sure you know what you have and what you need to get
- They help you organize your stockpile better and make those items easier to find when you are in a hurry
- They stop you from hoarding one item over other important items
Whether you like checklists or not, they are very useful, and make sure your survival supplies are well maintained and kept in an orderly manner so nothing gets lost or destroyed.
Then what a prepping checklist does is help you do is make sure you ready for an emergency.
Keep reading to find out more.
What Are You Prepping For?
This is a very important question as you need specific supplies for specific periods of time and very specific emergencies.
Not all catastrophes, etc., will last for a long period of time but you need to make the right decisions to make sure you are prepared.
One question to ask yourself and answer is are you preparing for a 72-hour emergency or a 14-day one?
Most emergency situations only last about 3 days but there are other situations that can last a lot longer.
Make sure you know your time period before you start writing your prepping checklist.
Then the next question to ask and answer is, what is your budget?
You may not be in the same position as those survivalists who teach survival training and have thousands of dollars on hand.
The good news is that you do not need a big budget to prep for an emergency.
You start with the basics, food, and water, then go from there.
You can pick up extra food items when you go shopping including extra bottles of water.
Your checklist can help you prep for self-sufficiency as well as for any diseases or injuries that may come during the emergency.
Not to mention what you are going to do during the emergency.
Your prepping checklist will guide you to be prepared if you are staying at home, bugging out, when you are away from home, or just need to travel to a safer area.
That is what a good checklist does.
It keeps you focused on the important aspects of what you need for whatever situation you are in and how you decide to be in it.
A Proper Prepping Checklist
Always stick to the essentials first as you will need those over anything else.
Water
you can buy bottled water in those small hand-held bottles or buy it in the gallon or 5-gallon jug size.
It will depend on how many family members you have how much you get and what size.
Don’t forget to get something to catch rainwater and then purify any water you can get during the emergency.
Purifying tablets are best but there are other options available also.
Food
Before we list some food items, make sure you have pots, pans, cooking and eating utensils, and dishes.
Make sure you have a way to keep them clean as well, like dish soap and a sponge or two.
The best food items to purchase will be the ones that are preserved and will last a long time.
You should have a good supply of canned foods, (soups, meats, fruits, vegetables, etc.), dry pasta, and pasta sauce, in a can.
Then you should get some grains (about 30 pounds per person), flour, oats, pancake or similar mixes, canned beans or dried beans, dairy products, peanut butter, margarine, sugar or honey, and so on.
Make sure you buy these in a format that has them lasting a long time before expiring.
Gear
Most lists call for what is called tactical gear and that category includes:
- sharp knives
- a gun or two
- gas masks
- binoculars
- walkie-talkies
- a multi-tool
- a bag to hold everything safely
- and more.
The walkie-talkies are a good idea in case phone lines and cellular services are down.
You can also add in self-defense items into this category.
Pepper spray will come in handy, as will lessons on situational awareness, self-defense classes, stun guns, and other self-defense weapons.
Make sure to learn how to use every item properly so you do not get them taken away from you by some unruly person who is taking advantage of the situation for personal gain.
Clothing
This is something you need to pack for the time of year the emergency hits.
You may have to pack clothing for other seasons depending on the timing of the emergency as well as the length of it.
For winter, you will need winter clothes and summer will have you packing summer items.
However, you need to make sure your clothes are practical, not bright, or flimsy.
Extra socks and underwear are needed as well as packing enough clothes to provide you with layers when the temperatures turn colder.
Plus, you will want clothing that has enough pockets to carry different items as well as allow you plenty of range of motion.
Security
When you are staying home, you should have it as secure as possible.
Security cameras, motion detectors, and solar lights all help protect you by warning you someone is nearby.
Also, having a nice big dog around goes a long way for security.
As does shatterproof window film over your windows, bars over those windows, and security alarms.
Then if you do not mind having a gun around the house, you will need some weapons and lots of ammunition for those weapons.
Just make sure to match the ammunition to the specific gun or guns you own.
Then stay fit as you will never know when you are called to physically defend your home or family.
Misc
Make sure to take stock of your medical needs and medications that you or a loved one will need.
Not to mention any first-aid equipment that will be needed if something bad happens.
Don’t forget to learn CPR and basic first-aid, as well as how to treat wounds, broken bones, and so on.
Candy can help if you have someone who needs to keep their blood sugar regulated.
Then do not forget about entertainment.
These little things will help you pass the time and not worry about what is happening outside.
These entertainment items do not have to be cell phones or electronic games.
Books, puzzles, crosswords, small musical instruments, and board games will come in handy to keep nerves from fraying.
If you are going to travel, buy a compass and learn some basic navigational skills to make sure you all arrive safely.
What Many Preppers Forget About
One of the more important items that preppers do not think about during these times is their legal documents, as well as their i.d.s., passports, and other legal forms they may need like deeds, titles, etc.
Also, don’t forget to add these to your prepping checklist:
- prescription medications
- a spare set of glasses
- photos of family members
- cash
- a whistle
- a sewing kit
- hard copies of maps
- and similar items.
Also, if you are going to bug out during the emergency, then make sure you plan a route where you can find good shelter.
The last thing you want is to have you and your family sleeping out under the stars.
This may work in cowboy movies but it is not always a good idea when an emergency arrives.
You will need to protect your family at all times and night is when you are most vulnerable.
Then if you are staying home, you should have a good generator on hand for backup power.
You will never know when the power goes off and being prepared for this eventuality is a good way to help your family survive.
Stocking up on firewood to back up the generator is a good move as well.
You may not get any more fuel for that device if the emergency lasts for a while.
Before You Go
There is a lot to know when it comes to creating a prepping checklist.
The good news is that you do not have to know it all right away nor do you have to gather all the items you need immediately.
You can take your time, although not too much time, and slowly prepare your store room of stockpiled items.
Do this as your budget allows and remember, never tell anyone you are doing this.
If you talk, you just make yourself and your home a new target for those who do not care when an emergency takes place.
Originally posted 2022-12-12 10:21:22.
