Let’s be honest: the first reaction most humans have to a crisis is panic. History shows that no matter what kind of crisis we’re in – natural disaster or global pandemic – our priorities shift heavily to making sure our families and ourselves are taken care of. Many of us disregard other people altogether.
One way to avoid the stress and panic of having to fight the masses so that your family has the essentials they will need to survive a national or global crisis is to be prepared. Being prepared means knowing what items typically disappear from stores first and purchasing them when we’re not in a crisis.
To help you do this, here is a list of the top 100 items that quickly become hard to find during a crisis. Buy them ahead of time, so that when panic-buying strikes, you can relax at home while everyone else battles it out in the shops.
Top 100 Items That Disappear First During a Crisis
We’ve broken the list out into categories for easier navigation. Some of the items on this list you may already suspect, but there are also many that most of us wouldn’t think of! Take your time to build up your stock of these so you and your family will be prepared no matter what happens.
Energy, Heat, and Light
- Generators
- Dry firewood
- Oil lamps, lamp oil, and wicks
- Coleman fuel/fuel blends
- Charcoal and lighter fluid
- Propane
- Lantern mantles
- Gasoline containers
- Batteries
- Matches
- Insulated ice chests
- Flashlights
- Roll-on window insulation kits
- Lantern hangers
- Atomizers
- Candles
Food and Cooking
- Livestock
- Chickens
- Chewing Gum
- Candies
- Wine, beer, liquors
- Coffee
- Tea
- Popcorn
- Peanut Butter and nuts/trail mix
- Crackers, pretzels, jerky
- Chocolate and cocoa
- Juice and juice mixes
- Flour and baking supplies
- Soy Sauce, vinegar, bouillon/soup base
- Paper plates, cups, and utensils
- Canning supplies
- Canned food (fruit, veggies, meats and fish, soups, stews, and sauces)
- Fishing tools and supplies
- Cast iron cookware
- Salt, garlic, and spices
- Powdered or condensed milk
- Aluminum foil
- Cookstoves (kerosene, propane, and Coleman)
- Water containers
- Cooking oils
- Rice, beans, wheat
- Honey, syrups, sugar and other sweeteners
- Can openers, beaters, whisks, and other kitchen utensils
- Water filters and purifiers
- Baby food
- Medications – ibuprofen, Advil, aspirin, etc
- Pet food and supplies
- Knives and sharpening tools
- Coleman’s pump repair kits
Read: The Shelf Life of 32 Foods in Your Pantry
Personal Hygiene and clothing
- Baby supplies
- Feminine hygiene products (Diva cups are very useful here)
- Haircare and skincare products
- Toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels
- First aid kits
- Men’s hygiene products
- Toothpaste, mouthwash
- Floss, nail clippers, hair scissors
- Baby Wipes, oils, antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizer
- Shaving supplies
- Paraffin wax
- Hats and scarves
- Gloves (working, gardening, and warmth)
- Extra socks, underwear, t-shirts
- Woolen clothing
- Rain gear, rubber boots
- Backpacks, duffel bags
- Heavy-duty work boots
- Thermal underwear/clothing
Home supplies
- Portable toilets
- Washboards and mop buckets
- Garbage bags
- Garbage bins
- Garden seeds
- Clothing pins, lines, and hangers
- Fire extinguishers
- Mosquito coils and repellent
- Duct tape
- Tarps, stakes, twine, ropes, and spikes
- Nails, nuts, bolts
- A full toolbox
- Laundry detergent
- Garden tools and supplies
- Sewing supplies
- Bleach
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Insect and rodent killer and traps
- Hand pumps and siphons
- Window insulation kits
- Cots and inflatable mattresses
- Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows
Read: How to Prep For a Quarantine
Other
- Lumber
- Screen patches, glue
- Wagons and Utility carts
- Board games, cards, dice, books
- Bicycles, tires, and parts
- Journals, diaries, scrapbooks, and necessary supplies
- Pencils and pens
- Saws, axes, hatchets, wedges
- Survival guidebooks
Though some of these items may seem extreme, you truly never know what is around the corner. Having these items on-hand will ensure that you and your family are prepared no matter what happens.
Read: Prepare yourself and build a 72-hour disaster emergency survival kit
Sources
- https://www.preparedsurvivalist.org/these-100-items-disappear-first-during-a-national-crisis/