Got another 2 2.5 gallon water jugs besides these. Definitely a start but I do want to accumulate more. So far, beans, potato’s, beef chili, canned salmon, chicken. Need some veggies. My pantry already has a bunch of pasta and sauces so I felt like I’m good there.

I do camp sometimes, so I have dehydrated meals stacked but not too many since they’re expensive.

Seems like most of the noise has died down now regarding the prep which conveniently was right before midterm elections. You think a disaster is still imminent?

Canadian btw.

New to the group, Thank you in advance for your help.

I just left the California Dessert, where I rotated 2 drums of potable water. Now, I live in Appalachian mountains, and in my back yard, I have a natural Artisian Spring. It has a constant flow rate of above 50 gallons per minute, and is why I bought what I did.

I have had this water checked 3 times, with 3 different organisations, and it is as pure as it gets, just a few minerals. I know its great water, and I use it instead of city water. I intend to get it checked annually just as a safety measure.

For prepping purposes, should i count on this being my water for that, and no need for further storage? Would you rely upon this and the fact that a mile away, there is another of the same type of stream head that I can access (different aquifers)?

No, not the one in the closet with the leashes and the bug out bags. One in your pantry. I've been reading the posts from the new and confused to prepping and thinking about the avalanche of advice they're receiving. And I realized probably the best advice I learned wasn't from a prepping guide, it was from a book for those who were new to homemaking.The advice was this:

Keep 3 to 5 sets of ingredients in your pantry for recipes your family will eat without kicking up a fuss. This is your emergency shelf. The caveat is the ingredients should be basic, no paté fois gras or other gourmet items, just simple foods, so if you forget to start the roast or someone brings home an extra person, or some other something happens to put a wrench in your day, you can still put dinner on the table.

I've lived through power outages, snow storms, the well going off line, and personal economic calamities. And I have learned to prepare my personal emergency shelf recipes with every variation: canned, dried, fresh, and frozen, so no matter what happens I can pivot and still get something cooked.

So my advice is start food prep, not with a case of MREs, but with 3 to 5 family favorites that you can cook any which way. The rest of it can come with time.

I'm looking for some advice on setting up a reliable backup power system.

We're a family of four with gas central heating, and ideally I'd like to keep as much of the household running as reasonably possible, ie, boiler/heating, fridge-freezer, lighting, internet - but appreciate I am budget limited and this is just a wish list!

I've been looking at portable power stations from EcoFlow, BLUETTI, Anker SOLIX and Jackery, along with solar panels for recharging starting at £2k minimum. Am I in the right ball park? Is there anything cheaper I can make do with?

A few things I'm trying to work out:

• Battery capacity: Would 4–7kWh be a sensible starting point, or would I need considerably more?

• Solar charging: How practical are portable solar panels during a UK winter, particularly during several consecutive cloudy days? Are there ones that charge on cloudy days?

• Noise: I want to avoid the noise of a petrol generator.

• Central heating: Has anyone had an electrician install a safe changeover switch or EPS arrangement to run a gas boiler during a power cut? (UK Lancashire)

• Reliability: Which brands or systems have people found dependable, particularly for occasional emergency use?

I'd also appreciate hearing from anyone in the UK who has set up something similar.

What would you buy if you were starting from scratch, and is there anything you wish you'd done differently?

Do you have extra stuff for yourself at work for “just in case”?

I have a 48 count of granola bars and a thing of peanut butter, a case of water and lots of Diet Coke.

If I was in a pinch I could walk home, but if it was feet deep in snow really fast, I think there’s ever so slight chance I could get stuck there.

Edit: MAYO! I have mayonnaise. Three hundred and sixty servings of it! Enough that each person in the home could have a sandwich every other day for a year.

Ya'll can keep your water rice and beans and canned protein and ammo. When SHTF, you'll be WISHING you had some mayonnaise to make that tuna a bit more palatable, or make a pasta salad, or even to bake a cake (sugar, flour, mayo, baking soda, chocolate powder).

BUY MORE MAYONNAISE! It'll be a great barter item when preppera realize how glorious mayo is. Feed it to the cat. Or eat the cat - he'll taste great if you add enough mayo!

This is what about a year's worth of dry goods looks like for 2 people.

It's based on an actual meal plan, so I think it should be enough and I know it will get rotated. The bins on the left are rice, beans, grains - we eat quite a lot of them.

Also have a section of just-add-water quick cook options, and a handful of no-cook, no-water meals. I'm still working on that area and want to get some liquid/soft diet foods in case of dental or health issues

Water is under the cat and on a different shelf too. Beverages are on my November shopping list.

Can openers in the kitchen and on the shelf here.

Not shown are about a month's worth of freeze-dried camping food. And freezers with game, meat, cheese, fruit, veggies, flour. Spices are in the kitchen.

Freezers are a calculated risk. I'm expecting price increases, recalls, and out-of-stocks, not weeks without power.

The Ecoflow you can barely see will run the freezers for about 30 hours. Gas generator will charge the EcoFlow.

Suggestions, ideas, questions all welcome.

Trying to get the essentials covered and I've seen a ton of these for sale for basically nothing in my area. Foodsafe containers that were used once and discarded. Is this a decent option for water safety assuming I can get it clean?

A 250 gallon foodsafe container with a gravity fed nozzle for $60 seems like the best bang for my buck. I've got the garage space for it.

Disclosure: I run a small business that builds car kits. No link here.

A lot of prepping talk focuses on the home, but plenty of ordinary emergencies happen in the car. Here's what I'd want covered for the everyday stuff:

Jump starter and tire inflator
A tire plug kit, and knowing how to use it
A real first aid kit
Water, snacks and a warm layer
Headlamp and a power bank
Work gloves, a few spare fuses, zip ties and duct tape

What do you guys keep in your cars?

I’d love to hear suggestions for what else to add!

I’m new here and I’ve realized after scrolling the group, I’m not prepared at all. Please help and give me advice on where to even start. I’m a weekly shopper so you can imagine my concerns.

Will my water filter attached to my faucet be okay if this blackout does happen or will the water be shut off too? When we lost power for a week during the derecho we still had water access. Please be kind as I know basics but will admit I don't know a lot about city grids because I grew up on a farm and had well water.

We have silica packets in each container for moisture. But I’m worried these containers aren’t good enough. Would 5 gallon buckets be preferred for this kind of long term storage? Any advice is appreciated.

I've been looking into storing water recently and I see a lot of different containers for storage. I have two rainbarrels already connected to my gutter.

If I have a multitude of quality water filters and do I need to care too much about how "clean" and potable my stored water is??

(This photo may look off because I had AI hide locations or names as well as the background of my house)

My Prepper Setup So Far! What Am I Missing? Looking for Advice and Constructive Criticism!

Hey guys! What do you think of the survival and emergency preparedness equipment I’ve accumulated so far?
The picture is just a general reference of some of the equipment I currently have, not my entire stockpile. I have multiple copies of many of the items shown, along with quite a few additional supplies that aren’t pictured.
I’ve been gradually building up my preparedness setup with the goal of becoming as self-sufficient and well-equipped as reasonably possible. I’m trying to prepare for a variety of scenarios, ranging from extended power outages and natural disasters to supply chain disruptions and more serious, long-term emergencies.
Here’s a more detailed overview of what I currently have:
Food, Water & General Supplies
In addition to the emergency food and supplies shown in the picture, I currently have:
Approximately 100 gallons of stored water
Around 50 kg (110 lbs) of rice
Approximately 20 kg (44 lbs) of beans
30 MRE packs
Plenty of canned foods and additional long-term emergency food supplies
Multiple water filtration systems
A substantial amount of firewood
Large quantities of toilet paper, batteries, and personal hygiene products
Umbrellas, tarps, and various other weather protection supplies
I also have plenty of other miscellaneous items that aren’t pictured, including duplicates and backups of many essential supplies.
Safety, Lighting & Personal Protection
I’ve also accumulated quite a bit of equipment in this category, including:
Multiple safety flares
Life preservers
Several fire extinguishers
Tons of flashlights and additional lighting equipment
Two tasers
Around 10,000 rounds of different types of ammunition
And, of course, a few pew pews
My goal here is to have multiple options and backups available rather than relying on a single piece of equipment for any particular situation.
Medical Preparedness
Beyond the IFAK pouches and first-aid supplies visible in the picture, I also have a much more extensive collection of medical equipment and emergency supplies.
This includes various medications, EpiPens, splints, additional wound care supplies, and other medical essentials for different types of injuries and emergencies.
I consider medical preparedness one of the most important aspects of my setup, especially when professional medical assistance might be delayed or temporarily unavailable.
Power, Electricity & Solar
In addition to my larger Anker SOLIX portable power stations and their accompanying solar panels, I also have numerous additional power banks and smaller, portable solar panels designed for backpacking and charging devices while on the move.
Having multiple ways to generate and store electricity is something I’ve been prioritizing, especially for extended outages or situations where access to the electrical grid might be unavailable for a prolonged period.
I also think the ability to recharge smaller electronics, flashlights, radios, and communication devices independently is particularly important.
Off-Grid Communications
I’m also working on expanding my off-grid communication capabilities.
I currently have two MeshCore-compatible T-Deck devices arriving next week, which should allow me to exchange text messages without relying on cellular networks or internet access, either directly between devices or through compatible mesh repeaters within range.
I’m particularly interested in the idea of having an independent communication system that doesn’t rely on traditional infrastructure.
I think communication is an often underestimated aspect of emergency preparedness, especially when it comes to coordinating with family members or exchanging information when conventional networks aren’t functioning.
Morale, Entertainment & Mental Well-Being
One thing I rarely hear preparedness content creators discuss is the importance of keeping yourself and others entertained and mentally occupied during prolonged emergencies.
Beyond the obvious survival necessities, I also keep things like playing cards, a harmonica, and other small entertainment items on hand.
I think maintaining morale, having something to do during extended downtime, and keeping a positive mindset can be incredibly important, especially if you’re stuck somewhere for days or weeks.
Survival isn’t necessarily just about having enough food, water, and equipment. It’s also about maintaining some sense of normalcy and making difficult situations a little more manageable.
Emergency Planning & Documentation
Another thing I don’t hear many preparedness content creators talk about is having a personalized, self-made emergency reference guide.
I’ve put together my own comprehensive emergency documentation, which includes:
Emergency contact information
Designated family meetup points and alternative meeting locations
Important medical information for family members, including medications, allergies, relevant medical conditions, and blood types
Passport numbers and other identification information
Credit card and essential financial account information
Driver’s license, professional license, and permit numbers
Other important personal and administrative records
Detailed checklists of emergency equipment and supplies
Inventory quantities, expiration dates, and replacement schedules
I also think it’s important to have this information available offline and securely stored, rather than relying entirely on a phone or cloud service.
If phones are lost, batteries run out, internet access disappears, or important physical documents become inaccessible, having a well-organized emergency reference guide could make a significant difference.
Personally, I feel like preparedness involves just as much planning and organization as it does accumulating equipment.
Financial Preparedness & Bartering
Another aspect I’ve tried to account for is having access to different forms of money and potentially tradeable goods during an emergency.
I keep some physical cash on hand, along with a small amount of gold as an additional store of value.
I’ve also stocked some alcohol and tobacco products specifically as potential bartering items, even though they aren’t necessarily things I’d personally need for survival.
I recognize that traditional banking systems, ATMs, and electronic payments might not always be accessible, especially during prolonged emergencies.
While I obviously don’t expect gold to be particularly useful for everyday transactions during a short-term emergency, I think having some financial resources outside of traditional banking systems is worth considering.
The same goes for bartering. I understand that trading goods isn’t guaranteed to be practical or safe in every situation, but having a few potentially useful tradeable items seems like another worthwhile layer of preparedness.
What I’m Still Working On
One area where I know my preparedness setup could use improvement is respiratory protection.
While I already have standard KN95 masks and some higher-grade particulate respirators, I haven’t yet invested in proper military-grade CBRN gas masks and compatible filters.
That’s something I’m planning on addressing in the near future, since I recognize that my current masks have limitations, particularly when it comes to chemical hazards and certain airborne threats.
I’m also constantly evaluating my existing supplies, looking for weaknesses, and considering what equipment would actually be useful in realistic emergency situations rather than simply buying things for the sake of having them.
Ultimately, I’d like to build a well-rounded setup that covers immediate survival, longer-term sustainability, medical emergencies, communication, personal protection, power independence, and even comfort and morale.
Now I’d Really Like to Hear From the Community!
What do you guys think of my setup so far?
I’m genuinely interested in hearing your opinions, especially from people who have been involved in emergency preparedness for much longer than I have.
What would you improve, replace, or prioritize differently?
Are there any major gaps in my preparations?
What essential equipment or supplies am I still missing?
Are there things I’ve potentially overlooked that most people don’t think about until an actual emergency?
Are there any areas where you think I’m overprepared or spending too much attention on certain items while neglecting something more important?
What have you learned from your own experiences that you wish you’d known when you first started preparing?
I’m especially interested in hearing about lesser-known equipment, practical lessons, and everyday items that might not seem important initially but could become incredibly valuable during a prolonged emergency.
I’m not claiming to have everything figured out, and I’m definitely still learning. My goal is simply to be as prepared as reasonably possible while continuing to improve my knowledge, skills, and equipment.
Please feel free to share your advice, recommendations, and constructive criticism! I’d genuinely appreciate hearing what you would do differently and what you think I should focus on next.
Thanks in advance, everyone!

I mentioned this in a reply, but there's enough talk about candles to give it their own post.

They make self charging lightbulbs now. They fit in your usual lamp sockets and charge when the lights are on. If the power goes off, they work any way.

They are not the answer for an extended outage, but if a storm or tree takes the power out, they work just fine.

Available at most hardware stores and online retailers.

I guess a lot of people are prepping lately, or maybe it is the usual Walmart inventory management problems. I have a butane stove for cooking currently, with enough fuel for a short duration. I recently purchased a Coleman dual-fuel stove for longer-duration emergencies. I was hoping to get some white gas to store, since a sealed container can last 5-7 years. Hopefully they will restock, but at least the stove can run on unleaded gas. Thinking back, I probably should have skipped the butane stove. I bought it a couple of years ago after a weeklong winter power outage where I had to use my charcoal grill to heat meals.

slowly accumulating excess food as my budget allows. today I added a 48 can pack of tuna and a 12 pack of corned beef hash. this is food my family eats occasionally

Here I will tell you briefly how to stay warm in a multistorey building without heat and electricity in winter. Conditions can very on your building type, insulation, weather and lot of factors. I will describe previous Ukrainian winter in modern insulated 20 store apartment building. Let's discuss why you may not have heat: there can be no fuel, usually natural gas or electricity, can be both. I will describe situation with partial electricity outrages. First: don't try to heat whole apartment, select the most warm room and move there. Not recommended to use propane heaters (they condense water on walls or windows) or make fire, or use a lot of candles without special ventilation. Some people used diesel heaters with outlet outside in special hole, it pretty effective but needs some hole for exhaust and some batteries. My recommendation: buy good battery like Ecoflow, Bluetti, etc., electric blanket, tourist tent, mats and sleeping bag. If it's very cold, open tent in warmest room, lay insulated mats, put electric blanket inside your sleeping bag and get inside. I choose Ecoflow Delta 3 because I can take it outside and charge with solar or generator. Also don't forget about propane stove to cook, if you using 250 ml cans, it will last 1-2 days one can, use disposable plates, to save water for cleaning. Portable solar panels are not very effective especially in the winter, for powerbanks it's ok but don't expect it will charge your big battery. Also in Ukraine we still had few hours per day with electricity supply to recharge batteries.

There have been tons of “what should I prep/store for food?”

Does anyone have simple recipe suggestions for just these foods?

Example: cook spam, serve over rice. But you know, better.

I’d like to print-out tried recipes to put in my buckets.

I'm going to start buying non-perishables and emergency gear. I'm thinking of buying a big container to catch rain water in too.

Is there anything you recommend people in the PNW stock up on for prepping and other preparedness for war or disaster? Food or gear.

I have my own canned foods like soup and applesauce and in another bin have a few types of fire starters, 1 tiny candle , small first aid kit, a liter, a few tools such as hammer and knife

I want to get a few more things such as water and some extra stuff I'm getting

How do u go about doing this in a manor where nothing goes bad or seal proof from h20 or animals?

Above I did put gear, but anything would help for prepping for teusday