It's not just food...
 

Hi,

Just wondering what other GIMers do regarding non-food preps.

Yeah, I see a lot of talk about PM's and ammo (I'm in the UK, so ammo is a non-starter), but I kind of think that while food will always be available, what about other household goods?

Can't remember where I saw it, but recently there were news items about some American towns providing handouts to it's citizens who couldn't afford to buy food. Like charitable donations where the truck would arrive in the community to provide food to those most in need.

So that made me think that there will be provisions in place to ensure people don't go hungry.... but what about other things like toiletries, soap, cleaning detergents, light bulbs, batteries, etc.?

Do you see that as being just as important? In a SHTF scenario, the priorities would be to ensure there was food available, but just think how inconvenient it would be without all the other stuff you buy regularly.

Re: It's not just food...
 

I have a long list of preps. I am probably 25% of where I want to be. I am edging along on multiple fronts. My preps include non food necessities, detergents, soaps, that kind of thing etc. Filters for water, storage. Alternative fuels and cooking options for baking and such. Clothing and footwear with a focus on durability and weather conditions. Tools, ropes, tarps for home repairs, temporary shelter, emergency lighting/power. Food production, learning lessons now before I really need to depend on my abilities. I would suggest looking up some local allotment groups and getting involved. Communications, a couple of radios in various bands for local and long range independent comms. For you that would be 476Mhz UHF CB I think and maybe if you can rustle up some old AM CB's with SSB (long range) in them. Not sure what the UK had back in the day. 40 channel is what you want. I can talk to others or I have a way to stay in touch with my base while going mobile. Self defence. If you can do it in your area then what ever it is just do it. now. And get fit. Stamina will mean a lot if you need to bug out. Make a plan, preps are less freaky when you have a plan. Write it down or keep it in your head, whatever works for you but go over it daily, at least once, shuffle somethings, add some things, move some up or down or out. It will become very clear in your mind when you do this and it will help you get it done. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Good luck.

Re: It's not just food...
 

OK...some of the items other than food/ammo that we have stored up are:

1.Bath soap(about 2 cases)
2.Toothpaste
3.Rubbing alcohol
4.cotton swabs/balls
5.Feminine products
6.Thread/needles
7.Bicycle tire patching kits
8.Hydrogen peroxide
9.Clorox

These are just a few items,anything that will make life a little easier.

Re: It's not just food...
 

Don't forget, in the UK, just how fragile that 'just in time' filling of the shops with all those endless lorries on the motorways is. I saw what happened once there just over a smallish blizzard. There was nothing to be had within less than 24 hours in terms of things like milk and bread and so on.

All the things you mention like detergents and soap and so on cannot possibly go bad, and even if nothing worse happens, are bound to go up in price anyway. If you have the space for it, is good to get a really good stock of these things in. Don't forget spare toothbrushes too. Toilet paper, paper towel, tin foil, cleaning cloths, hand dish washing liquid, plastic bags, bin bags. All those things.

A good first aid kit, and the knowledge of how to use it too.

Re: It's not just food...
 

I wouldn't count on those trucks making it to the people in SHTF senario..

You live on an Island.
Is there Much food Produced in the UK?

Re: It's not just food...
 

A few that come to mind......

Light Bulbs

Candles

Firewood

Sleeping Bags

matches

Re: It's not just food...
 

tp..............................

Re: It's not just food...
 

How Bout Lamp oil ?

Re: It's not just food...
 

I'm thinking good old fashioned magazine porn might be at a premium since most people have got used to Intarweb porn and that'll be a thing of the past.

Re: It's not just food...
 

My method of non-food prepping of common household items, is when I need to buy one, I buy two. Works well for soap (laundry & bath), shampoo, shaving gear, vitamins, etc.

Re: It's not just food...
 

I store more than food. Hygiene products, cleaning products, lamps and lamp oil, tools, and a host of other items that I think we'll need. I don't really foresee a total breakdown of everything, but I prefer to have the basic necessities and niceties on hand just in case.

Re: It's not just food...
 

Why is that? You apply for a firearms licence, you get one, and then you have a gun. If you only want a shotgun it's even easier - ten minutes of filling out a form, ten minutes of your local FAO time to speak to you, and it's done. I'm in the UK and now have more guns than I have fingers. And one thumb.:D

Re: It's not just food...
 

My entire family considers Toilet Paper to be only very slightly less essential than food. :D

Re: It's not just food...
 

These are my top 3

1. Hygiene products
2. Good Flashlights
3. Batteries

Re: It's not just food...
 

Here's my list:

Health

Roach & insect killing stuff, air filters, water filters, paper towels, gloves, face masks, toilet paper, soap/shampoo, toothpaste, first aid kit, aspirin, vitamins, detergent, dish-washing detergent, band-aids, razors, deoderant, hydrogen peroxide, shaving cream, icy hot, vicks vaporub, bleach, rubbing alcohol, peptobismol, feebreze if you live with smokers.

Miscellaneous yet important

batteries for uncle's hearing aid, mom's gout medicine, paper plates, cups, utensils, aluminum foil, glad cling wrap, body power, lighter, extra copy of house and all car keys, poncho, big umbrella, water boots.

Re: It's not just food...
 

I don't have a huge place, but I have a few things to help me get by and am adding to them.

4x4 suburban in the garage with a full tank of gas (168 litres), fuel stabilizer in there. It's for loading up with the rest of my stuff and getting the F out of town if I need to.

Guns and ammo. As much ammo as I figure I'd ever have time to shoot at things. Also, an air rifle and pellets. Very accurate for shooting at pests.

Water filters. 1 Berkey that I use all the time, and another Katydyn (don't remember the spelling) that's still packed in the box. 1 hand-pump ceramic filter - can't remember the brand name. Got lots of bleach and iodine too, should disinfection be required.

Candles, light sticks, a few flashlights and batteries.

Some soaps, toothbrushes, etc. Not a huge amount. I figure if people are raiding the stores for food, that's when I'll pick up the non-necessities if I don't have them.

Toilet paper, a few bundles of 24 rolls each or whatever.

Gasoline, some regular 87 octane, some 91 octane with no ethanol (they recommend it for the chainsaw and other things.)

Food, lots of canned and freeze dried and then some frozen and some plain stuff, as in just extra noodles and stuff in the kitchen.

Stihl chainsaw I got last week. It's helping me add to the wood pile that's growing in my backyard, in preparation for the wood stove that's going in next week.

Fully-charged bigass deep cycle batteries and an inverter. In case things aren't so bad but there's a few power outages from time to time. I can keep the fridge cold and the garage door opened by remote, at least.

Lots of lighter fluid, matches, torches, etc. Also, one of those camping stoves and a large can of the fuel for it (it goes a long way.)

Tons of other crap I've forgotten about. I have closets and cupboard and much of my basement and garage filled with preps. It's hard to remember it all right away, but I know some of it will come in handy even if the world doesn't end. I could survive a long while if I was fenced onto my yard with no escape.

Some more things I want:

Generator, for power outages that aren't permanent.
More wood.
CB radio.
Vodka (disinfectant, and to trade with alchys).
Comfortable and durable outdoors clothing (for use in rain and winter.)
Good fishing supplies.

And, the non-buyable items... I want to be in better shape, and to have more survival knowledge. It would be nice to have some like-minded friends as well.

Re: It's not just food...
 

Re: It's not just food...
 

I think I'd rather rely on a solar panel or two, some batteries, inverter and some CFL bulbs.

Re: It's not just food...
 

I definitely wouldn't count on someone delivering food in an emergency. Also you can go a lot longer without food than water so having a way to either get or store safe drinking water should be a priority.

Other things that might not have been mentioned. Extra underwear, socks, footwear. The UK gets fairly cold in the winter so get some good winter clothing. Good first aid supplies and supplements would also be a good idea.

I'm sure there are other things I'm forgetting but basically anything that you need to buy on a regular basis might be worth stocking up on.

Re: It's not just food...
 

Good point TA...especially children.

Re: It's not just food...
 

Look at all your disposable paper products and buy some cloth equivalents. Old fashioned handkerchiefs and bandanas, cloth table napkins, cloth feminine hygiene, cloth baby diapers, and a large stack of cheap washcloths to use if the toilet paper runs out. They might not be as convenient, but they will surely take the stress out of running out of disposables when there aren't any replacements.

Re: It's not just food...
 

Hand tools
Batteries
Nails, screws, hooks and eyes, etc. basically fasteners.
Electrical wire and associated paraphernalia
Lamp wicks
Keep your old eyeglasses when you get new ones.
Fire extinguishers
Tape, glue and adhesives.
Dessicant.
Concrete blocks and other weights.
Rope and chain.
2x4 and plywood.
Caulk and high-electrical resistance spray sealant or dip.
Hardware cloth and metal or fiberglass mesh.
The list goes on....

Re: It's not just food...
 

I was outside cutting wood this weekend, until just after sunset. Now I have one more thing to add to the list. I will be stocking on on this item... insect repellent! I would hate to be outside working in the evening without it.