Your #1 Priority: Build a Shelter-in-Place Kit

Bug out kits (stuff for evacuation, usually on foot), everyday carry or EDC (survival gear you keep on your person) and, to a lesser extent, your vehicle kit (survival items in your vehicle) seem to be all that most preppers like to talk about. It’s often the first place that newbies focus on. But, as the video below discusses, none of these kits should be your first priority. Instead, you should be focusing on your shelter-in-place kit (gear and supplies for survival at home).

Why? Because you’re expected to spend more time at home, statistically speaking, than anywhere else … unless you’re obsessed with work or can’t stand your family. 😉 All kidding aside, bug out kits, vehicle kits, and EDC are important, but if you don’t have a quality shelter-in-place kit ready to go, you’re shortchanging your preparedness.

Sure, you could use your bug out bag gear or vehicle supplies when at home, but the idea isn’t quite the same. There are huge differences in ability (a quality off-grid stove for use at home is usually much easier/better than one for a backpack), quantity (you can store many more supplies in an at-home kit), and there’s the redundancy aspect of additional kits/supplies that you can rely upon if need be.

Watch the following video for ideas on how to put your shelter-in-place kit together properly. I’ll offer my comments below the video as I feel the need, and believe it or not, I have a lot to share on the topic. Enjoy!

CONTAINER: Any Rubbermaid container will suffice, but if you plan on storing these items where rodents may get into them, then consider something sturdier, such as a metal trash can or, at least, a latching tote bin.

FOOD: Freeze-dried meals are great, but they do require water to use and are expensive. Consider canned meals first, then add the fancy stuff.

LIGHTING: Solar lights are fine, but they’re not the best option, mainly because the sun doesn’t shine all the time. Get something with batteries, too. Lanterns are great, but don’t ignore a quality flashlight.

RADIO: I absolutely despise any hand-crank survival item. The idea seems neat, but it’s a waste of effort. Just buy a cheap, small AM/FM/Shortwave radio and stockpile plenty of batteries. And if you can get equipment that uses the same size batteries (i.e., all AA or all AAA) then that’s even better. I do agree with having an NOAA weather radio.

PHONE CHARGER: Yes! Have a portable charger or two in your kit. And include different cable types (e.g., USB-C, micro-USB, iphone) just in case you need them.

FIRST AID KIT: Most kits you can buy ready-made are crap. Make your own or buy from a truly reputable source. Make a note somewhere, maybe on your phone, to check and replace the contents yearly. Face masks are a good addition, too.

DUCT TAPE, PLASTIC SHEETING: These are always good to include, particularly for a chemical spill or biological hazard event. I would also add a few heavy-duty tarps for temporary home repairs, such as a broken window or hole in the roof.

TRASH BAGS: So many uses for these as well. Come to think of it, store your at-home supplies in a few 5-gallon buckets; they’ll double as a makeshift toilet and much more.

HAND SANITIZER: Sure, why not. But hand soap is better if you have water. Stock both.

GLOW STICKS. No. Just have a few quality flashlights and a lantern or two.

WATER: Absolutely! The more the merrier. 🙂

MAPS: Nah. Keep these in your bug out bags and vehicle kits. But it can’t hurt to have some maps on your phone, as I suggest in my smartphone apps book.

DECK OF CARDS: Yes. Any form of entertainment is good. If you’re going to include a deck of cards, you might consider a book of card games. Maybe a multigame set, too.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

I might also add something for warmth, such as extra clothing, socks, a stocking cap, etc. Maybe a small Mr. Buddy heater and some cannisters, but they’ll go quick. How about a sleeping bag? Maybe a battery-powered personal fan for the summer? I don’t recall seeing anything about disposable paper plates or bowls, or toilet paper, or anything that will help you conserve water, probably your most precious resource. I also don’t recall him mentioning prescription medications that you might need. What about pet supplies, including food and water? Granted, these bulkier items will grow the size of your kit quickly, but I’d say they’re important.

Ultimately, there’s a lot you can and should include. And, yes, it probably won’t all fit in a single bin or bucket. If you’re worried about space, clear out a coat closet, raise your bed and use under-the-bed containers, or stash your supplies in a piece of furniture that is probably only holding crap you don’t need.


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Comments

4 responses to “Your #1 Priority: Build a Shelter-in-Place Kit”

  1. Richard

    In a loss of potable water situation, dry composting is a much better way to deal with solid human waste (poop) than storing it in a plastic bag. A simple and inexpensive dry composting toilet can be made with a 5 gallon bucket and sawdust. For less than $15 you can buy a snap on toilet seat to fit a standard 5 gallon bucket. When used properly, there is no odor.

    1. Dry composting would still need buried, so it would be easiest to simply dig a hole during non-winter months. But I do like the idea much better than storing fecal waste in a plastic bag.

  2. Frank

    I have to say that while some people claim that hand cranked radios are poorly made and not durable, etc., they do have a built-in solar panel and so as long as you have light which you will unless you plan on sitting in the dark during an emergency, they will work.

    Even if you have to crank, unless you’re on the verge of death, it’s not hard or requires that much energy or effort and it allows you to remain tuned into news and to listen to some music while you’re bored off your behind.

    One year my older brother brought out a tiny, very inexpensive radio and we did crossword puzzles while listening to news and chatter and some music. It preserved our sanity and kept us entertained and gives one purpose monitoring the weather information.

    I still use battery powered devices and I buy a lot of batteries even though I own rechargeable, solar, and hand-cranked items. I even have some USB rechargeable devices that while convenient and easy to use are not necessarily my favorite, but they do work and with battery units, inverters, charged laptops, battery banks and solar chargers, it’s easy enough to have some power even when there’s no electricity.

    Don’t discount or deny yourself the use of various electronic items. You’re just limiting yourself based on someone else’s feelings or opinions. This way, you will always have something that has power.

    The kit in the video is not a bad idea, but practically speaking why not also just have supplies in your home. Why live out of a box. To me boxes are for tools like flashlights, duct tape and other emergency specific items.

    1. Hand-crank items are still charging an internal battery, which probably isn’t easy to replace by “normal” people like me. Personally, I think it’s better to invest in more/better equipment AND batteries rather than what I consider a prepping gimmick. But maybe this is merely a reflection of my experiences with hand-crank items.

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