30-Day Emergency Preparedness Challenge – Day 2

Day 2

In emergency preparedness, there are many pieces to consider. Today, I’m going to share 5 items that are often forgotten when preparing.

  1. Spare glasses – I think this speaks of itself well enough. One of the first things I address in my classes is that one is none, and two is one. Redundancy is the name of the game.

This means more than one way to start a fire.

More than one way to filter water. Etc.

AND more than one pair of glasses. (I buy my readers by the dozen. Over time, they break. I always make sure when I get down to three pairs, I order another dozen. I keep one in the car. One in my pack. One in my purse. One by the computer.)

  1. Dental Care Supplies – Extremely important. This is not just toothbrushes and toothpaste. This includes items for broken teeth (temporary fillings), clove oil for pain, dental floss, and dental care tools like a small mirror. *On a side note, clove oil works great, but if the nerve is exposed, it can burn. Use care.
  2. Sewing and Repair Kits – After a major event, we will be harder on our clothes due to the increased physical effort. Tossing out torn clothes will not be an option. Knowing how to patch clothing will be an essential skill, along with having the supplies. This will probably be sewing by hand, rather than by machine. Having extra buttons, needles, thread, pins, etc can go a long way to preserving the usefulness of our clothing. Just FYI, some thread is specific for machine vs by hand.
  3. Reference Books – Looking up everything on the internet may not be possible. Having a good set of reference books on gardening, small-engine repair, simple home repairs, and herbal remedies could mean the difference between barely surviving and thriving.
  4. Sillcock Key – This is essential if one lives in a city. Water is often hard to come by in the city. If the power goes down, water access is threatened. A Sillcock key will provide access to water outside many public buildings. They are not expensive on Amazon. Here’s an example (2 pack).

 

These are some common items that are forgotten when preparing. What would you add to the list? What will you add to your preps today?

One small step at a time is how we become Living Ready.

One day. One step. One family better prepared.