It's never a bad idea to be prepared! A little preparation for the unexpected can help relieve some of the everyday stress in a crazy and unpredictable world. You don’t have to be a full-blown conspiracy theorist prepping for the apocalypse to be a prepper.
Just nail down some basic tips and tricks in anticipation of the real curveballs life throws.
Make your prepping personal
Being a prepper is going to look different for everyone based on where you live and who you live with. What you need to prepare and how much will depend on whether you have kids, pets, elderly, or roommates living in the house.
Take into consideration where you live! Different areas face different weather issues and hazards, so be practical about which issues you might face, and create a plan in accordance with those.
Store food and water
The first thing that often comes to mind when we think of survival is food and water (for good reason – they’re essential!). Whether it’s a power outage or a bad storm that leads to road closures, limited access to purchasing or making food is a real situation many Americans face each year (and thankfully an easy one to prepare for).
Realistically, a situation causing a problem like this probably won’t last too long, so no need to stockpile months of canned goods. Rather, just plan for about three days worth of food and water for each of the people in your household.
Some good options to have on hand that won’t hit an expiration date anytime soon are rice, pasta, and oats! Other options that don’t require cooking include canned fruits and veggies, canned chicken and tuna, and nuts and nut butters.
Start a garden
While storing food can be helpful, why not grow some, too? First of all, gardening can be really fun and therapeutic, and it also provides you with an extra supply of fresh food.
You don't need a massive garden or big yard to grow some plants. You can create a small garden area, or even just use a couple of pots to plant some vegetables and fruits, and thankfully there are plenty of guides to help get you started!
Some of the easiest foods to grow for beginner gardeners are radishes, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and peas. (Pro tip: lettuce can grow well indoors if you only have room for some small pots in a windowsill!)
Have some at-home hobbies ready
Find a couple things you enjoy doing at home that don’t require power or internet, and then make sure you have the supplies you need to do them. Depending on what you enjoy, maybe put aside a couple books, stock up on some crafting supplies, or find something new and creative to take on.
Do the same for your kids! In case of a situation that leaves you stuck at home, be sure to have some games, toys, art supplies, and books to keep everyone as happy and busy as possible, especially if there is no TV or Internet access.
Learn some first aid skills
In general, it is a good idea to know basic basic first aid skills. Unexpected injuries and health problems can easily come up, so get familiar with how to handle common issues. For example, an easy Google search and quick course can get you CPR certified!
Buy or DIY your own kit of supplies with items like gauze, bandages, and hydrogen peroxide. Just enough so you can make due in an emergency if help is farther out of reach than usual. You don’t need to know how to perform surgery, but acquire a basic working knowledge of how to clean up and treat minor cuts and scrapes.
Evacuation plan
It is also important to have a plan in case you ever need to evacuate your own home. As much as we can prep our homes for situations that leave us stuck there, it is also necessary to plan for disasters that may push us out. Catastrophes can strike without much warning, so create a plan ahead of time.
Keep in touch with family and friends who live in different areas in case you need a place to stay, and for general support. If you don’t have people that can provide this kind of assistance, get a gauge on shelter options in your area. If you are feeling lost about your next steps, communicate with the Red Cross or FEMA for extra assistance and guidance on housing.
What to bring
Prepare for the unexpected by creating a checklist of what you would need to take with you, in the unfortunate case of an evacuation. Don't focus too much on material items, but rather just plan on taking a few changes of clothes and a small amount of basic hygiene products. Be sure to pack your important documents like ID’s, insurance cards, birth certificates, and passports.
Don’t forget about any medications you take, or glasses or contacts you wear. Take along some food and water, especially if you are uncertain of exactly where you will be evacuating to. Also make a list of items for your kids, especially if you have young children or babies who will need food, formula, or diapers.
Make your list specific so you can pack more efficiently and potentially have time to grab some sentimental or valuable items. Think of items like photo albums, baby books, and other irreplaceable goods.
Happy prepping!
Overall, keep it simple. Base your prepping on you and your household, and what you would want and need in an extended emergency. Don’t over-fixate and think about every possible problem that could occur, but rather focus on realistic situations and prepare for those.