Pandemics aren’t something non-preppers plan for, but if you want to make sure you can provide for your family when disaster strikes, you should plan for similar events as soon as you can.

To prepare for a survival scenario, read up on the 15 essentials you need for your survival supplies. (h/t to ReadyNutrition.com)

Tips for building your survival stockpile

Don’t wait until it’s too late to stock up on pantry essentials. If your budget is tight, buy an extra can of food or two while buying your groceries. In time, you’ll have at least several days’ or one week’s worth of extra food.

Always rotate your food supply to use up all items before they go bad. And when you use up certain items, replace them so you can have what you need when SHTF.

If you don’t have a lot of storage space at home, choose versatile items and ingredients to make the most of those pantry spots. Before you start building your stockpile, take inventory of what you already have. As you go through your supplies, list down all the items you need to restock or purchase.

And since emergencies often come without warning, it’s best to prep ahead so you don’t stress out over not having supplies when SHTF. If your budget permits, stock up on items you also use frequently at home so you don’t have to go on supply runs unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Since this is a basic list, you can add more items as you shop if things you need at home aren’t included.

Listed below are 15 must-haves for your survival stockpile:

1. Antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer – You’ll need soap so you can keep your hands clean at home. If you don’t have access to running water, you can use hand sanitizer instead.
2. Bleach – Use bleach to purify water for drinking or cleaning.
3. Beans – Dried beans are full of high-quality protein and other nutrients. Get small beans like lentils and navy beans if you prefer something that requires less water and time to cook.
4. Boxed dinners – Save the boxed dinners for long-term power outages and when you don’t want to spend too much time on food prep.
5. Dried milk/powdered milk – You will need powdered milk for cooking. It also provides calcium for healthy bone development, which is important if you have kids at home.
6. Flour – Flour can be used to bake bread, cakes, cookies and other baked items.
7. Honey – Honey has a longer shelf life compared to sugar. Use honey for cooking various dishes or as a natural sweetener for beverages.
8. Jelly – Use jelly to make quick snacks like sandwiches.
9. Oats – Eat oats as is for breakfast or use them as an ingredient for baked goods like cookies.
10. Pasta and sauce – When stocking up on pasta, make sure you also stock up on sauces to make meal prep a breeze.
11. Peanut butter – Peanut butter is a good comfort food, and you can use it to make snacks or desserts for the whole family.
12. Plant-based cooking oil – You’ll need cooking oil for meal prep and baking.
13. Ramen or canned soups – Stock up on ramen or canned soup so you can make hot dishes quickly if you’re on the move or if the power goes out at home.
14. Rice – Rice contains carbs that will keep your energy up when disaster strikes. Like pasta, there are many ways to use rice when cooking.
15. Water – You’ll need water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

Other items to stock up on

If you have the extra funds to buy more items, here are some more useful things that you may also need in your stockpile:

• Multivitamins to keep your family’s immune system healthy.
• Paper goods like toilet paper and paper towels.
• Pet food, treats and other supplies for your pets.
• N95 or N100 masks for use during the pandemic or if you live in areas prone to dust storms.

Budget can be tight for some preppers, but there are many ways to save money for your survival supplies. Instead of splurging on expensive, top-of-the-line purchases, check out the local Dollar Store.

If you want to skip the long lines, you can shop late at night. However, buying supplies late means you also run the risk of running out of some items on your shopping list.

Before disaster strikes, build up your survival stockpile and buy essential items like beans, pasta and rice.

Sources:

ReadyNutrition.com

AskAPrepper.com

AmericanPatriotSurvivalist.com