The coronavirus pandemic showed us how underprepared we have all been for emergencies. Now that the pandemic is ending after two long years, it can be a good time to invest some time and money to prepare for future emergencies.

However, you don’t have to worry even if you cannot invest too much time. We have already prepared a list of essentials that you should stockpile. You can go through this list and tweak or personalize it
according to your and your family’s needs. The list contains essentials that can keep you comfortable at your home during a future viral outbreak or disaster, whether natural or manmade.

So without further ado, let’s take a look:

Food

We don’t have to tell you about the importance of food. However, storing fresh food can come with many risks. It is why we suggest long-term food options such as ReadyWise. ReadyWise and other long-term food brands provide various healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet options.

They also provide options for those suffering from food allergies, such as whey milk powder for lactose intolerant individuals and gluten-free food options for those suffering from celiac disease.

You can get long-term food in various flavors and dietary preferences for yourself and your family. You can also purchase freeze-dried fruits and vegetables for nutritious and healthy food. Since long-term foods come in easy-to-carry buckets, they can also be taken anywhere if needed.

Since the shelf life of long-term foods can range from fifteen to thirty years, they can bring you peace of mind for a long time. Moreover, canned goods and meats, rice, and other grains make for shelf-stable foods.

Non-GMO heirloom seeds produce the food that produces seeds to continue growing long-term food. We suggest stockpiling at least three months’ worth of food for yourself and your family. Don’t forget to stockpile additional food for unexpected guests and share it with friends and neighbors during emergencies.

Water

Clean water is the key to survival. Hence, you should always have at least a month’s drinking water supply for each family member. Besides storing packaged water, you can always purchase and store several water filtration systems. A couple of large water filtration systems for the home and a few portable water filtration devices can ensure a supply of clean water for you and your family.

Many recommend storing one gallon a day for drinking water. However, our recommendation is five gallons a day per person to ensure enough water for drinking, personal hygiene, washing dishes, etc. Don’t forget to store water for your pets.

First Aid and Medicines

First aid boxes and medicines are another one of the survival essentials. A supply of over-the-counter medicines such as pain killers, laxatives, anti-allergies, antibiotics, etc., can save you and your family members from a dreadful visit to the hospital if another viral outbreak occurs.|

Bandages, gauzes, band-aids, and ointments at home can also help treat minor burns and wounds. Moreover, individual first aid kits and three month supply of prescription medicines for each family member are also vital for adequate survival. If a family member relies on vitamins and supplements to maintain their health, always store extra bottles for those at home.

Tools for Survival

Other survival tools including flashlights, matches, lighters, magnesium and Ferro rods, sandbags, pocket knives, fire starters, compass, whistle, topographic map, ropes, battery-operated radios with extra batteries, etc. should also be stockpiled.

You should have at least one survival set for each family member with some extras. Don’t forget to organize these in a bag for easy carrying. You can also get survival bags with all these tools from survival gear stores. Tools like shovels, rakes, hoes, axes, and saws can also help significantly. Remember: two is one, and one is none.

Cleaning Supplies

Toilet paper and other cleaning supplies, such as alcohol wipes, antibacterial soaps and liquids, and hand sanitizers are essential for survival and must be stockpiled immediately. Besides helping you live
everyday life as normally as possible, they can also help you conserve water if there is a clean water shortage.

Cleaning supplies don’t get spoiled and can be stored for as long as you maintain safe storage in a cool and dry place. You can calculate the quantity of cleaning supplies your household needs in a month and stockpile at least three months’ worth of stuff in your home’s garage.

Last but not least, don’t forget to prepare a bug out bag for each household member. While this list contained essentials for staying comfortable inside your home, you never know when you might have to
leave it in an emergency. In such a situation, a bug out bag can ensure easy survival.