45 Survival Items You Need To Stock NOW

I think it’s time we talked about survival items that you can start or continue to stock up on now for any emergency that may come your way. This list is by no means an entire list of survival items, but at least it can be used as a benchmark or guideline to help us as we look over our prep stash and add, rotate, or discard any items that may have expired beyond usability.

Water will always be my number one survival item, but after that, these are not necessarily in order of importance. I’ve been writing several of these over the past few weeks, mainly to help those just getting started prepping and those who have prepped for many years be ready for any scenario.

In 2023, we heard news reports from all over the country about weather issues that have truly put individuals and whole families in survival mode for numerous reasons: heavy snowstorms and cold in Buffalo, NY. Torrential rains in San Francisco and Oakland, CA have totaled in excess of 5 inches, almost unheard-of amounts that have washed out levees, main highways, and small dams.

These events have left people stranded at home and on the road. Even preppers following emergency preparedness guidelines and plans have been caught off guard and struggling to survive. The rains now and the pending melting snows later have prompted officials to warn residents to prepare for floods. Talk about a “perfect storm” of events! Hopefully, many stranded families have an emergency food storage plan to get them through.

45 Survival Items You Need to Consider NOW.

1. Water

This is a given. I recommend four gallons of water per day per person, while the American Red Cross recommends one gallon per day per person. I will leave the amount up to you, but we need to consider proper hydration, water for cooking, and enough for minimal personal hygiene. Then, some of us should at least periodically clean our underwear. I get thirsty just thinking of only one gallon per day, but I always think beyond the bare necessity.

You can check my archive for posts covering properly preparing, treating, and caring for stored water. Depending on your storage space, the size of your family, and the funds available, you have a number of options. I’ve also discussed water filtering systems and water treatment products.

2. Food

I’ll share my Food Storage Sheet to help you determine how much food you need to store. I don’t count calories; I choose the food I eat every day and the staples to help me cook from scratch. Where Do I Start? You can fill in the blanks for seven days’ worth of meals. Easy peasy.

Make sure you use food storage containers that are BPA-quality, like food-grade buckets. Your emergency food supply should include many non-perishable items in cans with a reasonably long shelf life. You can find canned vegetables like tomatoes, corn, green beans, and regular beans, which your family will like. Also consider canned fruits and even meats like beef, tuna, chicken, salmon, turkey, chili, and pork.

Your long-term survival food should also include white rice, brown rice, pasta, oats, wheat, and other whole-grain foods that provide the nutritional vitamins, minerals, fiber, and proteins necessary to survive and flourish. I make a ton of bread and other flour-based meals all year long. I use bread flour rather than all-purpose varieties. I don’t consider my flour a long-term food storage item since I try to use it within 12 months. Be sure to have some yeast too.

Other items to consider as you plan your long-term storage needs and make sure you’re storing items your family will eat. To make the meals more enjoyable, include peanut butter, some jams and jellies, spices, chocolate, syrup, and various types of sauce.

Rotation of your foods is critical, so watch the expiration date listed and do an inventory occasionally. Note that I don’t use Mylar bags very often. I haven’t had good luck with food stored in them, so I rely on my canning techniques and follow the “use by dates” on commercially canned foods.

3. Flashlight – Lantern

You can choose a flashlight with batteries or a solar one. If you decide on a battery-powered unit, then, of course, you must store the appropriate extra batteries. Every family member needs a flashlight, so plan accordingly. I love my solar-powered units and have them charging on my window sills constantly. Flashlights

Lanterns produce much more light than flashlights when needed to illuminate a whole room. They are also available as solar-powered products. My favorite lantern, it needs batteries so please stock up on “D” batteries. Bushnell Lantern

4. First Aid Kit

I hope you have a proper first aid kit and a system to rotate the goods stored within it as needed. If the stores close, you may not be able to get your favorite over-the-counter drugs you love to use. I will add essential oils in this section because I rely on them heavily for many uses. Here is my popular First Aid Kit with a printable list available so you can print copies as needed. I also want to suggest some Bag Balm and Epsom Salts.

Don’t forget to have a good supply of over-the-counter meds and your daily prescriptions.

5. Emergency Whistle – Flares

This survival item may save your life. You can buy some whistles that you can hang around your neck and alert people if you are lost or under some fallen materials. I have purchased these. Plastic Emergency Whistles. They can be heard up to a mile away.

Flares can alert others to your location if you’ve had to leave your home or to draw attention if you have sheltered in place.

6. Water Filter/Purifier

There are two items that I recommend for my preparedness. I always recommend having more than one type in case one should fail. These make great Christmas gifts, by the way. Berkey-Sport Bottle or LifeStraw Personal Filter

I also like the PortaWell product because it provides battery power to pump more volume and has multiple filters to fit various situations. The Best Portable Water Filtration Unit

7. Good Knife and Can Opener

You never know when you’ll need a knife, or two or three. I have a variety of knives for different uses. The Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife is great for most camping needs and possibly self-defense. Here is another great one for multi-task uses, the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife

Don’t forget to include a good-quality can opener. If you lose power, you’ll be glad you have one of these to open all the canned goods on your pantry shelves.

8. Map & Compass

You can’t always rely on the GPS on our phones, so having a compass is one more way to find our way. They are lightweight and inexpensive. Have a state or city paper map in your emergency bags and car. Compass and Maps.

9. Fire Starter

Be sure and have more than one way to start a fire. You may need to cook meals and stay warm, to name a few. You need to store waterproof matches, regular matches, and maybe even some InstaFire (I love this stuff; you can start a fire in the snow). InstaFire

10. Cordage

You can use cordage in so many ways. You may have to repel from a mountain, drag an animal, or tie something together. This one is a military-type Titan 550 Paracord

If you need to set up a temporary shelter, having ropes and cordage can make all the difference.

11. Paper Towels – Baby Wipes

You can use towels for spills, help start a fire, and wash your hands. Baby wipes come in handy for babies, but you may end up using them for that “spit or sponge bath.” Rinse-Free Wipes

12. Calendars

Your phone may not work, so these would become useful for checking off each day or setting goals. Remember, your phone may not work in a massive power outage or an EMP. I highly recommend you read “Lights Out”.

13. Books and Games

If the power is out for days, you may enjoy reading a book or two, right? Knowledge is essential, but you’ll want to entertain the kids and some adults.

14. Tent and Tarp

I’m not talking about a $2,500.00 tent, just a tent that may shelter you if you’re evacuated from your home. Having a tarp is another item to consider, thanks, Leanne.

15. Blankets

Blankets can be used for protection from the elements and to block a doorway to keep you warm in one room. Cover your windows if it’s cold outside and your heater doesn’t work.

16. Bug Spray

We have so many mosquitoes this year, you understand why we need bug spray. Controlling pests may be a challenge after the emergency has subsided.

17. Cast Iron Pans

These are awesome because you can cook outside if you have the fuel. I store briquettes, lump charcoal, raw wood, and pinecones. My favorite cast iron pan is a 6-quart Dutch oven. You can make bread and a casserole, boil water, and make biscuits in one. It’s not just for peach cobbler anymore, although that’s delicious!

Cast iron pans made by Lodge are my go-to products. You don’t have to buy new, so keep your eyes open at a garage or estate sale, second-hand stores, or thrift stores. You’ll need to learn how to season them, so check out my archive for tips on how to do that.

18. Instant Coffee

I don’t need to say anything else; this is a must-have for most people. Think barter. If you don’t drink coffee, trust me on this one. This is my new favorite Instant Coffee, Jacob’s Velvet Coffee.

19. Hand Sanitizer – Soaps

You can never have too much of this stuff. Do you love clean hands as much as I do? You’ll also need different soaps for hands, dishes, and small batches of clothes.

20. Toothbrushes

We all feel better if we’ve brushed our teeth. If some families need to move in with you, please have a stash of toothbrushes and toothpaste for them.

21. Hair Needs

Be sure to store some combs and hairbrushes for yourself and your family that may have to live with you after an unforeseen disaster.

22. Deodorant

No one needs body odor when we’re in the middle of a disaster or cleaning up an unforeseen emergency. It’s all about mental health; you are more likely to be happy if you feel good.

23. My Favorite Books

• “Prepare Your Family For Survival” by Linda Loosli
• “Bugging In” by Raymond Dean White
• “Lights Out” by Ted Koppel

24. Garbage Bags

We need these for garbage, possibly body bags, and temporary toilet liners.

25. Baggies

You can always use bags or baggies in several different sizes.

26. Board/Card Games

As mentioned, if we’re stuck at home because of a pandemic, severe weather, or a significant disaster, games will help alleviate anxious feelings and provide entertainment for young and old alike.

27. Candles/Lights

One cool idea is using those solar yard lights to gather the sun’s rays and power up lights at night. Bring the lights in at night and take them back outside to power up for the next day. These are cheap and they work. You may want to store some lanterns because they can light up a room. Please remember to test the amount of light they project before an emergency. You want to be familiar with the ones stored in your preps.

Candles are fine, but I don’t store many of them. There are convenience issues and safety concerns. I love the smell of specific candle brands, oh my yummy!

28. Sleeping Bags

If you have sleeping bags, you can stay warm if you buy the right ones. Check out the temperatures on each sleeping bag to see if they will work for you. If you live in the desert, you may get by with a lighter one compared to where snow falls every day.

29. Extra Clothing

Changing clothes is good for the mind and body, whether you get wet or are homebound for many days. Having coats, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, and warm socks makes sense if you live in a colder climate. Have some for each family member,

30. Toilet Paper

You get the drift, stock up, please.

31. Paper Plates, Cups, and Silverware

If we have a disaster, we may not want to use all the water stored for washing dishes. Having these paper products can save us water and time. You can always burn the paper products (in a safe location) if you have zero garbage pickup.

32. Aluminum Foil

I use aluminum foil for so many things. Aluminum Foil by Linda

33. Escape Tool For Your Vehicle

I have several of these because you have it NOW if you need to cut a seatbelt or break a window. Vehicle Tool

34. Umbrellas

Sometimes you just need an umbrella, right? Or maybe two.

35. Four In One Tool

This tool is great for turning off gas lines and water shutoff valves. 4 In-1 Tool

36. Pencil and Paper

You can always use pencils and paper. Crayons melt, so I’m not adding those here.

37. Duct Tape

You can never have too many rolls of duct tape, right?

38. Emergency Washing Machine

If you have tubs or buckets, you can wash your underwear at least. I also have a post in my archives about how to make an emergency washing machine. Check it out. Emergency Washing Machine

39. Clothesline and Clothespins

If you wash your clothes, you need a way to hang them up, right? Please don’t skimp on the clothespins; some are sold that don’t last more than one wash load. I may need to do a giveaway with some of my favorites, called Kevin’s Clothespins

40. Condoms – Feminine Hygiene Products

What can I say, they will be needed. Your grocery store may be closed or the roads blocked, so have a good supply.

41. Book Lights

If we lose power and have zero light, having a book light would be awesome! You can at least read a book or two.

42. Wagon

You may need a large wagon to haul things you can’t carry alone.

43. Coolers

If we lose power, our refrigerator or freezer may be okay for two, possibly three days. Yes, you can store water jugs in them, but eventually, you may have to transfer the food to some coolers. Hopefully, you can procure some ice. These coolers will stay cold for five days at 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Igloo 120-gallon Cooler

44. Cloth Diapers

I highly recommend getting cloth diapers for babies, toddlers, and adults. It’s a fact of life, they will be needed if the stores are closed for weeks or months. Some young mothers say, “Yay, I love cloth diapers.” You may also hear, “There is no way I am using cloth diapers.” I raised all four of my daughters with cloth diapers, saved lots of money, and protected the environment.

45. Griddle

I picture making a lot of pancakes after an emergency. Yes, I’ll be cooking outside and loving every minute.

Other Items to Consider

Other things that could prove to be lifesavers:

• Communication devices – cell phones, walkie-talkies, a ham radio
• Information sources – a crank radio to get weather and other condition reports, even with a power outage
• Cooking devices – I love my Dutch ovens, but you need a butane stove, camp stove, or other cooking device. These are designed for outside use and require the right fuels.
• Car emergency kit – you could use jumper cables, sand, salt, and a shovel
• An emergency clothes washer – I have a good post about building your backup washing machine

Final Word

Please remember that you can start with a few of the things mentioned in this post and then just keep adding to the list. You can do this, and we can do this. Life is good if we can sleep at night knowing we are prepared for the unexpected.

If I’ve missed some items, let me know. I love your comments. May God bless this world.

Copyright Images: Emergency: AdobeStock_109228559

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