Disaster preparedness means having not only the supplies to meet an emergency head-on, but also the skills. 

As for the skills, that’s a whole separate issue. But we’ll cover some of the basic supplies you need here. 

Food and a Way to Prepare It 

Food is one of the most important things you’ll need to account for in the event of a true disaster.

Perishable foods won’t last long, and a disaster that robs you of electricity will make it impossible to preserve food through freezing, 

Therefore, imperishable foods, such as dry goods and to a lesser degree nut butters are the safest bet. Canned goods are also good as they will last for many years. 

Another category of foods are MREs, or “meals, ready to eat” that are generally freeze dried and shelf stable under normal conditions for many years.

Fresh Water 

Access to fresh water is more important than food, so you need to be sure you are prepared for this. 

Bottled water won’t last long; you need a way to gather and treat water. Rainwater collection systems are a good bet; you can also invest in solar stills or be prepared to boil water you collect from natural sources. 

Other disaster preparedness essentials that are helpful on this front are products like water treatment tablets and devices like Lifestraws that filter water for drinking at the source, eliminating the majority of biological contaminants. 

First Aid and Medication

Any disaster preparedness guide should also prepare you with a note on first aid. 

A basic first aid kit should have topical disinfectants and other topical treatments for rashes, inflammation and other conditions. OTC painkillers are also helpful to have here. 

You’ll also need rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial ointments, bandages, medical tape, and other basic supplies to help you treat basic maladies. 

It’s also helpful to maintain a buffer of any prescription medication you need in the event of a true disaster. 

Fire Starters and Fuel

Fire accomplishes two critical things: it can keep you from freezing and it also makes it possible for you to cook food (and disinfect water). 

Therefore you need to be prepared for ways to make fire: that could be waterproof matches, lighters, fire starters, or anything else of that nature. 

And you will also need fuel, whether it’s wood, pellets, charcoal, butane, propane, natural gas or something else. You need to have a way to heat and cook.

Appropriate Clothing

Being prepared with appropriate clothing (and footwear) that will protect you against the weather is also essential to survival and wellness.

You’ll want warm and durable clothing along with supportive footwear that also protects your feet.

Power

If the power goes out, it’s going to be hard for you to run a homestead, but there are alternatives that may prove valuable. 

There are solar systems you can get for your home, along with gas and wind-powered generators that can all add to how much power you can produce. In fact, there are some wood-powered furnaces that can produce electricity, too. 

Communication 

For your immediate family members, walkie-talkies or portable radios can keep you in contact when you’re not separated by great distances. Another good option is a crank-powered weather radio that will keep you informed of what’s going on in your area, even if the power goes out.

Basic Tools 

Any disaster preparedness guide should also include a section on basic tools. You’ll want: 

• A knife

• Saw

• Ax or hatchet

• Shovel 

• Screwdriver set 

• Socket wrench set

• Allen key 

• Mechanic’s wrenches

• Pliers and wire cutters 

• Hammer 

• Tape 

• A flashlight and batteries

• Candles (not really a tool but this was the best place to put it!)

This is not a complete list; add to it any other basic tools you routinely need to use around the home. The more you have the better you’ll be prepared to make fixes when (or if) a disaster strikes.

Gear Up with Disaster Preparedness Supplies

Ready to start putting together a SHTF plan and bug out bag so you can be better prepared for when an unfortunate event strikes? Get your disaster preparedness supplies over at CH KADELS. They carry much of what’s mentioned here and plenty of other unique gear not even covered by this list. 

For more information about camping supplies and water filtration system Please Visit : CH Kadels