25 Prepping Items to Hoard

When disaster strikes, it’s typically too late to start planning, making a list, and then heading to the grocery store to pick up your needs. By the time you get there, people will likely already be out of control, ransacking foods, and supplies that you should have already stockpiled. This doesn’t have to be you in this type of situation. Be prepared. It’s time to talk about these 25 prepping items to hoard. 

In today’s culture, hoarding has a negative connotation. It means over the top, to much, more than is necessary, or even selfish. For me, I view it as what is necessary for my large family, and what’s needed if I’m going to share with neighbors. You try to estimate what will be required to get you through the emergency, and that can be difficult. I always want to have more than what MIGHT work when it comes to emergency preparedness items, especially when stocking up emergency food supplies and water resources.

Related Topic: 13 Surprising Uses for Flour

25 Prepping Items to Hoard

25 Prepping Items to Hoard

1. Pain Relievers

Having aspirin on hand can be useful for relieving headaches and reducing fevers. Applying it directly to burns, scrapes, and cuts can reduce pain directly to the skin. It even works well on a bug bite or bee sting. Without a doubt, this is one of those prepping items to hoard!

For people like me, who have issues with arthritis, pain is a daily challenge that never seems to go away. It really feels like one of a few survival items I can’t do without. That also goes for prescription medications many of us take each morning. I try to get a 90-day supply, even though the doctors tend to prescribe in 30-day increments. I make sure my first aid kit and bug-out bags have medications for each family member based on their needs. 

2. Electrolytes

Catching a fever with flu-like symptoms during a crisis is not only bad, but can be deadly. Stocking up on electrolyte drinks, such as Gatorade or Pedialyte can help replenish your electrolytes and keep you from becoming dehydrated. It’s great to have bottled water around for hydration, but electrolytes replenish the liquids in an easily absorbed form that comes in handy during emergency situations.  

3. Hand Crank Radio

Not being informed during an emergency can be even scarier without any information from the outside world. Purchase a hand-crank radio to help with this problem. No batteries are required. Having two may seem like hoarding, but it is good to have a backup unit or one you can share with a neighbor or take with you when evacuating.

4. Multi-tool 

Having a multi-tool on hand during a crisis is much more effective than carrying around a toolbox full of heavy tools everywhere you go. Most of them have knives, scissors, screwdrivers, bottle openers, can openers, and pliers. Having more than one gives you the option of having other family members work on things that are broken or need to be assembled at the same time.

5. FireArms

Unfortunately, bad times usually bring out the bad actions in people. Having firearms stashed away to protect your family is important, even if you aren’t fond of them. If you are totally against guns, find some other solution or form of protection to help keep your family safe. 

6. Extra Blankets 

Heaven forbid if an emergency were to strike in winter. But if it did, make sure that you are ready. Electricity and keeping your home heated might not be an option when the power goes out. Make sure to have plenty of extra blankets stored away, just in case.

With the duct tape mentioned in the next section, you can use extra blankets to create shelter for you and other family members. If you have extra sleeping bags available, you rock! We think of them as hiking and camping gear, but they come in handy when you’re trying to stay warm on a very cold night.

7. Duct Tape

Duct tape has so many uses. You could patch a tent, repair a hose, better insulate your shoes, and so on. Mythbusters even made a kayak with duct tape and a few pieces of wood. 

8. Paracord

Paracord, like duct tape, has many uses. It’s much stronger and lighter than typical rope. You can use it to tie sticks together to make a shelter. Paracords can also be used for climbing, a fishing line,  a sling, and countless other survival uses.  

9. Batteries

You’re going to go through a bunch of batteries if you lose power. Make sure you stockpile batteries of all kinds while preparing for an emergency. If someone in your family uses a breathing machine or respirator, be sure to stock up on the appropriate batteries to keep each medical appliance operational.  

Those batteries you see above were sent to me by my friend, Harry, from Texas. He heard I couldn’t get “C” and “D” batteries where I live and the next thing I know, a package was delivered to me. Although I have never met him and his wife, I know if we ever met in person, we would be great friends! Life is so good with people looking out for you. Consider “paying it forward” by providing prepping supplies to friends and neighbors.

10. Flashlights

Having extra flashlights hoarded away will keep your family out of dark situations at night. Flashlights with Batteries and Solar Flashlight I prefer solar flashlights and have them stored on my windowsills so they’re being charged all the time. The solar units may cost more upfront, but with the sun keeping them charged, you save a ton on replacement batteries.

11. Can Openers

Canned food in your emergency food supply is about the only source of food storage items you’ll find that hasn’t spoiled. So when hard times hit, make sure to have more than one handy can opener available. Can Openers

Whether you’re stocking up on canned meats like tuna and chicken, canned vegetables like beans, peas, and corn, or soups you love to eat, having can openers you can rely on is vital. Always have a system to review and monitor expiration dates on those cans so you don’t end up with wasted foods.

12. Charcoal/Lighter Fluid/Campfire Fuel 

Charcoal is a great way to cook your food. Be sure to have plenty of lighter fluid or campfire fuel to help speed up the process. If you have a fireplace in your home or apartment, figure out how to have firewood stacked somewhere close so you can put it to use. We used to have a fireplace insert and we’d have two or three cords of wood stacked on the side of our house during the winter. It made us feel so confident that we’d make it through almost any wintertime emergency. And don’t forget lanterns with fuel as well.

13. Camp Stove 

Camp stoves are not only great for camping, but having stoves for use in case of an emergency just makes sense. They don’t give off smoke like a campfire does, keeping you from giving away your location if you don’t want to be found.  I bought one of these for all four of my daughters. Butane Stoves and Butane Fuel

Some people picture using their BBQ as part of their survival gear inventory. They can be very useful for cooking meats, but not so good for heating water. Plan on more than one camp stove so you’re prepared for meal preparation.

14. Water Filters

Not having clean water to drink will get you sick or dehydrated in a hurry. Have several survival water filters to keep your drinking water fresh. I like the products from Big Berkey and Portawell. With these products, you have options for different water sources and filtering quantities, depending on your circumstances. Having clean filtered or treated water is critical. You don’t want to have a contaminated water-related illness with the chance of diarrhea and vomiting.

Groups like the American Red Cross stress the need to have at least one gallon of water per day for each person. I’ve always suggested four gallons per person per day to cover needed hydration, cooking, personal hygiene, and limited laundry chores during an emergency.

15. Hand Sanitizer

Stock up on hand sanitizer ahead of time to keep germs away. You can also make your own if you read my post. Why You Should Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer + DIY Recipe

16. Freezer Bags

Freezer bags will not only store your food and keep it fresh longer, but they work great for storing other things as well. You can even use them as a mixing bowl or for marinating your meat. 

17. Garbage Bags

Garbage bags serve many purposes, not just for taking out the trash. They can be worn as rain ponchos, shelter covers, and human waste removal for proper sanitation.  

18. Paper Cups/Plates/Towels

Don’t eat like an animal just because the end of the world seems to have taken place. Eat and drink like a king and queen on paper plates and cups, and use paper towels to clean your mugs and utensils. 

19. Toilet Paper

Just imagine not having toilet paper during a crisis. Now that’s talking about “the end of the world” scenario. Stockpile toilet paper for a much softer, more sanitary way of cleaning yourself. Remember, when the pandemic was first announced, toilet paper was one of the first things you couldn’t find at almost any store. Plan and have plenty on hand as a vital personal hygiene product, just in case.

20. Laundry Detergent

Another great item to hoard for an emergency is laundry detergent. You might not have a working washing machine, but you can still clean your clothes the old-fashioned way, with laundry detergent and your two hands. 

21. Shampoo/Soap

Taking a shower every day after a catastrophic event might not be an option. Yet, when someone in your party begins looking at you funny or is avoiding you, at least you collected plenty of shampoo and soap to get the job done. 

22. Vaseline (AKA Petroleum Jelly)

If you’re already in a miserable situation, getting an injury sure doesn’t help. Vaseline works great on soothing cuts, burns, and scrapes. 

23. Tooth Brushes/Toothpaste

Gather several toothbrushes and toothpaste to keep your teeth pearly white on some of the grayest of days that you can remember. Staying clean is so important not only for your physical health but also for your mental well-being.

24. Lysol 

Lysol helps to kill germs and lice, helping keep you safe from sickness. Consider Lysol your new best friend during an emergency. 

25. Gasoline/Propane

Having various ways to prepare your meals or keep an automobile running might be tricky without gasoline or propane. When an emergency strikes, you can count on them not being available. If stored properly, gasoline should be good for up to one year. Have extra propane tanks on hand stored in a cool dark space like a garage. Never store these in your home. This is, without a doubt, one of those prepping items to hoard.

Other Considerations

Some other items to consider, depending on the makeup of your family:

• Baby formula, baby food, and diapers
• Feminine hygiene products for that particular time of month
• Special medical supplies and equipment
• Other emergency foods like rice, pasta, and whole grains

25 Prepping Items to Hoard

Final Word

These are 25 things that everyone should hoard in case of an emergency. If you’ve read “What are Preppers Prepping For?” as a source to help you prepare for the unexpected, what other items would be crucial for survival? What are some other prepping items to hoard that you have in place? May God Bless this world, Linda. 

Copyright Images: Duct Tape Deposit photos_36934715_s-2019

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