Emergency Recommendations from a Non-Prepper

I have never been a prepper or one who keeps a lot of items on hand for emergencies. In the past I have only had the very basic necessities such as flashlights and a few candles on hand for emergencies such as power outages. Even living through hurricane Sandy, I didn’t panic and load up on food and supplies.

I never worry much about raiding the store before a snowstorm either. Most of us can survive with what we have for several days and generally these emergencies never last longer than a day or two. Hurricane Sandy was the exception and even though I lost all the food in my freezer, I wasn’t in dire need of anything, and it was “manageable”. None of these emergencies are ever long-term and I never caved to the hype of stocking up on supplies.

However, over the past few years I began thinking more about what I may need in case of a serious emergency. While I am not saying that I “expect” to face a crisis, I am not ruling out the possibility and have thought about some basic items I might need if faced with a real crisis that may last more than a few days.

My approach to “prepping” is like purchasing a very basic life insurance policy. Many people have much more, and I have no issue with that but for me I accept that I cannot predict all the variables in a wide variety of scenarios, and therefore I choose not to spend too much time thinking about it. Having the “basics” gives me some security without becoming OCD, plus I like to choose to spend more time focusing on living in a higher vibration and attracting good into my life as much as possible.

Being prepared may also be determined by your physical location. You may need to adjust the list to adapt to what type of emergency you are more likely to face and plan accordingly. Some advance preparation can be lifesaving, but I encourage you to prepare to the point you feel comfortable and then live your life! Do not dwell on possible tragedies or live in fear. This is extremely detrimental to your health and well-being.  

If you note things I may have forgotten, please share in the comment section or contact me as I will add updates to this article as needed.

Here’s some basic home necessities that you may want to consider having in your home in case of an emergency. Remember this is coming from a person who is not a prepper, and I am not an expert in emergency survival, so these are basic “suggestions”. If you feel I have forgotten items, please let me know and I can share updated information in future newsletters and articles.

1.      Emergency Food Supplies – In case there is a food shortage, or you find yourself unable to get food, having emergency food on hand is lifesaving.

a.      Staples that have a long shelf life and can be used in an emergency. I keep rice, bone broth, beans, nut butters, and canned goods on hand. I do not eat these foods under normal circumstances but have them in storage for emergencies. You can store your own homegrown foods too. If you choose to keep food in storage, check expiration dates periodically. I donate items to food banks before they expire and then replace them as needed. Pros: you can choose the exact foods you want to have on hand. Cons: these foods must be replaced periodically.

b.      Freezing food can be a great option if you have an extra freezer. You may want to have a generator, or solar panels, to keep your freezer running, if you plan to freeze items.

c.      I purchased an small  emergency food bucket from here as it was reasonably priced and offered gluten-free options. There are plenty of other companies that offer emergency food too. I imagine none of it is what I want to eat but it will do in a pinch and most emergency food items last for as long as 25 years. Pros: these foods last for years and do not have to be replaced. Cons: the initial cost of purchasing emergency food can be pricey and emergency food is not nutritionally dense.

2.      Food Sources – I encourage you to grow your own food if possible. In my situation (apartment living), I have connected with local farmers that I use for most of my grocery needs. I rarely go to grocery stores and relying on local farms may be an option should there be issues with the food supply chain. I buy most of my food from a local farm-to- table butcher and a local vegetable farmer.

3.      Bottled Spring Water – I would recommend keeping a few weeks’ worth of bottled water in storage. In case you are unable to filter water, having some bottled water is essential.

4.      Berkey Water Filter – If water is not available, Berkey filters can filter almost any type of water. I recommend investing in a Berkey Filter and at least one extra pair of Berkey filters.

5.      Lifestraw – A Lifestraw is portable and can easily be carried in case of an emergency where water may need to be consumed directly from a source that is not free of pollutants. You can explore Lifestraw at their website to learn more.

6.      CB Radios – A set of CB radios in case of an emergency where communication is lost. Sources say they do not necessarily have to be expensive but can be lifesaving during a crisis.

7.      Solar Panels and/or Generators – More and more people are opting for solar panels and choosing to live off the grid as much as possible. Generators, (for emergencies), are also an option but need fuel to run. I live in an apartment and these options are not feasible for me but if you own a home consider these options and keep extra fuel on hand if you have a generator.

8.      Solar powered flashlights or other solar powered emergency lighting and candles. You can purchase a variety of solar powered lanterns and flashlights online or at local hardware stores. Have plenty of batteries and candles available.

9.      Solar Powered Chargers – There are many types of solar powered chargers available to purchase. Many also serve as flashlights so you can use them for more than one purpose. Charging a phone and other devices may be helpful assuming service is available, so it doesn’t hurt to have a solar charger on hand.

10.  Camp Stoves - A small propane stove is a great investment too, especially if you have electric stoves. Extra propane tanks would be wise to have on hand as well.

11.  Wood Burning Rocket Stove – If you are looking for a small stove that does not require “fuel” this is a better option than a camp stove. It is portable and easy to use. I do not own one, but I am considering this option.

12.  Firewood – If you have a fireplace, stock up on firewood.

13.  Blankets and warm clothing – If you find yourself without heat, warm clothing and blankets are a necessity, depending on where you live.

14.  Car ready to travel – I always keep a full tank of gas in my car. I do not have a place to store extra gas, but in case of an emergency if I must leave, I want to have a full tank of gas.

15.  General Survival App – Download one of the many available survival apps to your phone.

16.  Prepper and/or Edible Plant Book – Purchase a basic prepper book that you can have if you do not have access to the internet. You may also want a book with pictures of edible plants in case you must forage for food.

17.  Supplements – Perhaps having supplements during an emergency is not a priority but I like to keep at least a month’s supply of supplements on hand.

18.  First Aid Kit – Buy or keep a well-stocked first aid kit on hand.

19.  A Plan – This is a tricky one. When I first started thinking of a plan to deal with a serious emergency, I drove myself nuts. There were too many possible variables and scenarios. I finally accepted that I could have a very basic idea of what I could do knowing that I couldn’t possibly address all the obstacles that I might face. My youngest daughter lives about 1 hour from me so we have discussed what we “might” do if there was an emergency. We have walkie talkies and a plan for how we would try to connect. I am glad I have thought through but understand that much of whatever happens will be in God’s hands. Plan but do not drive yourself crazy worrying about all the details.

This is my basic list. There are plenty of people who have moved out of cities, started gardens, and have begun a “new” life. Kudos to all of you who have done so, but for me, moving away from my family would create more stress than facing a crisis.

Knowing that I might be able to create a more self-sustainable life wasn’t comforting when I thought about how I would feel if my family wasn’t with me. Being safe, but alone, was not an option for me.

I trust that I have “prepared” well enough to manage a crisis. I hope you will do the same and contact me if you have questions or suggestions.  

Stay tuned for my article on Everyday Essentials that you should always have in your home!

The entire contents of this website/article are based upon the opinions of Doreen McCafferty NLC, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Doreen McCafferty, NLC and her community. Doreen McCafferty encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. All information in this article is for educational purposes only and not designed to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.