Household Situation-X Checklist

This thread assumes the preparee owns a house, or that their lease allows them to make significant property improvements. It also assumes that the Situation X is a low-grade Class 3 or so, where commerce, water, electricity, and public services (like police and fire) are unavailable for extended periods of time, but that the dangers present do not require evacuation for survival.

/p = per person
/d = per day

Repair/Construction

2x4's, 4x4's, 2x6's - self explanatory

Bricks - self explanatory

Buckets (several) - washing, hauling water, dirt, etc.

Chain - self explanatory

Concrete - self explanatory

Crowbar - self explanatory

Duct Tape - countless uses

Empty sandbag sacks - shore up against flooding or gunfights.

1 Hammer/p - self explanatory

1 Hand-saw/p - self explanatory

Hatchet - self explanatory

Mortar - for the bricks

Nails (various sizes) - self explanatory

Plywood Sheets - self explanatory

Propane Welding Kit - easiest shared resource fuel

Propane Xfer Kit - to salvage/scavenge/share propane

Pulleys - self explanatory

PVC pipe - jury-rig new plumbing if your pipes break.

Rope - self explanatory

Screwdriver Set - self explanatory

1 Shovel/p - self explanatory

Socket set - self explanatory

Spare Handles - for brooms, hatchets, shovels, etc.

WD-40 - help "unstick" corroded/dirty metal

Whetstone - re-sharpen tools, knives, etc.

Food/Water/Hygiene

Baby Gear - diapers, bottles, formula, etc

Bandannas - for countless reasons

Camp Suds - soap that does clothes/dishes/teeth/hair/skin

3 Cans food/p/d - 3 days worth mininum

2 Can Openers (Manual) - in case the first one breaks

Coffee + Percolator - even if you don't drink it, barterable

Disinfecting Wipes - since water will be precious, cuts, etc.

Dry Firewood - self explanatory

Fire Starter/Flint - self explanatory

Fishing Gear - in case you live near anywhere with fish

Lime Powder - for the latrine outside.

Liquor - for medicinal, morale, or barterable purposes.

Potassium Iodide - Helps prevent radiation poisoning.

1can Potted Meats/p/d - Nasty, but long-lasting protein source.

Propane Grill - Most fuel-efficient way to cook food.

3lbs Salt - De-freezing, salting meats, flavor, barter

Scissors and Razors - self explanatory

Seed - heritage seeds that grow LOCAL and FAST

Strike Anywhere Matches - self explanatory

Tang - Flavoring for water, has Vitamins.

Tea + Steepers - Caffeine and Flavor for boiled water.

Toilet Paper - self explanatory

Tooth and Hair Brushes - self explanatory

Unscented Chlorine Bleach - 1 drop per liter kills most parasites.

Washboard - Your washer and dryer won't be working.

1gal water/p/d - How to store and NOT to store.

Water Purification Tablets - To avoid wasting precious fuel boiling.

Protection/Safety

.22 Rifle + ammo - Light and accurate, ammo VERY common to scavenge.

9mm Pistol + ammo - Good stopping power, ammo common to scavenge.

Bulk pkg Tums - Calcium source and does wonders for upset stomachs.

Coleman Lanterns - Uses commonly shared fuel source (propane).

5 Face Particle Masks/p - Protection vs. harmful particulates/disease.

Field Surgery Kit - Since a hospital might not be an option.

Fire Extinguishers - One per room. Remember, no fire dept to call.

Firearm Cleaning Kit - self explanatory

First Aid Kit - self explanatory

First Aid + Surgery Manuals - If you only get 2 tech manuals, get these.

1 LED Crank Flashlight/p - (need ability to recharge by hand)

1 Gas Mask/p (w/replacement filters) - Protection versus chemical attack.

1 Knife/p - self explanatory

Latex Gloves - For first aid/surgery/chemicals/+ million other uses

2pair Leather Gloves/p - Protect hands when working outside.

Painters Tape - Tape windows up in big X's so they don't shatter.

Rubbing Alcohol - Sterilization, Fuel Source, Cleaner

Spare Glasses - Keep all your old and spare perscriptions with kit.

Special Meds - insulin, glycerine, seizure meds, etc.

Communication/Recon

1 Backpack/p - self explanatory

Binoculars - self explanatory

Blank Journals/Log Books - self explanatory

Bolt cutters - in case you need to go through a fence or padlock.

2 Canteens/p - self explanatory

CB Radio - For HR and HF communications

Chalk - self explanatory

Compass - self explanatory

Day-Glo Spray Paint - Create messages easily read from the air or street.

Emergency Crank Radio - Should include AM/FM/TV/NOAA

Flares - self explanatory

Local MAPSCO - For navigating Urban terrain without familiar routes.

1 Mag-Light/p - Most reliable flashlight/doubles as a bludgeon

1 Mountain Bike/p (w/cargo rack) - Light, narrow, fuel-less transport.

Polaroid Camera - Provide a visual hard-copy sans electricity.

Spool copper wire - for electronics repairs and antenna

Walkie Talkies - self explanatory

1 Whistle/p - battery-less, fuel-less, emergency communication.

Misc

Air pump (hand pump w/various nozzles) - self explanatory

2 Extra Blankets/p - self explanatory

1 BOB/p - Bug-Out-Bag aka AWOL Bag

Bulk-Pack Batteries - Primarily AA's and D's.

Cash in Quarters - self explanatory.

Radiation Decontamination-Wipes - In case you get fallout on you.

Diesel Generator w/AC inverter - Emergency use of AC appliances.

Extra Sleeping Bags + Hammocks - In case you take in stragglers.

Fuel Cage - Keep spare fuel locked in here, away from the house.

Gold Ingots - Universally Barterable, highly reflective and conductive.

Inflatable Raft + Oars - In case you have to escape flooding.

Large Camo Netting - To hide your fuel cage, bikes, trapdoor etc.

Padlocks & New York Locks - Secure Doors and Gates from inside and out.

Photocopies ID & Credit Cards - In case you have to prove identity later.

Radiation Detector - Self explanatory

Religious Text - Good idea to have one of each, just in case.

Siphon w/hand pump - Scavenge/Salvage/Share gas/water/etc.

Spare Gas - For the car and the diesel engine.

Underground Shelter - Protect v. Tornadoes/Fallout, doubles as root cellar

Technical Manuals - Scout Manual, Army Survival Guide, herbs & veg, etc.


I'm sure I'm forgetting a number of things, but hopefully this is a good starting point. If you have items to add, or questions, feel free to reply to this. Several items are assumed to already be in the average household, like pots and pans, clothing, etc.

excellent list, I'm constantly working and reworking my supplies, adding, removing, especially when I find better products

sorry if I duplicate any already on your list, but I'll try not to.

paper plates and cups
plastic utensils
garbage bags (all sizes)
ziploc bags (all sizes)
deodorant
feminine products (pads, tampons, etc)
mosquito coils and netting
fishing rod and nets (if you have access to lakes, streams, ponds)
tarps and plastics sheets (various sizes)
ropes, twine, string

i'll come back if i remember more

Hey thanks a lot for this list! I completely overlooked the repair/construction categories.

You might want to consider purchasing a UHF/VHF programmable radio (since most emergency services operate on them).

Thanks y'all. Something else I forgot as a vital construction tool are sawhorse brackets. Personally I prefer brackets over pre-fabricated sawhorses, because they're cheaper, easily broken down to smaller, usable components, and if your sawhorse breaks, you can easily build another one with them. If you've ever tried to do anything even remotely approaching carpentry, you know how vital a pair of sawhorses are.

Thanks for the list. I have printed it off so I can have it with me. There are items that when your out buying supplies, you completely forget about...

I don't think my stash will be as comprehensive but it will have to do.

I am certainly no handy person...

In AU it is so hard to get a gun. I am looking into it now but in an emergency setting you would need a gun... basic protection. How can anyone protect themselves without a gun??

oh I have also sent this onto all of my email contacts as I think a lot of people wouldn't think about this. It isn't a nice thing to think about but being prepared or even a little informed is a good thing.

thanks again

oh just received feedback from one of my contacts regarding this info:

Well, I guess you know that you just breached the the anti-terrorism legislation/s = plural and plenty of them, with this supposed nuclear (Bush speak -pronounced Nuk a lar) survival list. Worse Howard, has removed the option of hand guns for us Red-necks, anyway! Satire/humour therein. Meantime the laws around APEC are proof positive of declining civil liberties generally. PEACE!

hmmm so we are not allowed to be prepared? BS

[edit on 28-8-2007 by Thurisaz]

nice list man.. this is something to get started with,most of us (people i know atleast) dont have half of this stuff if any... looks like ill be the store on the block if anything went down!!