Disaster Preparedness Checklist – 5 Unexpectedly Useful Items

When researching my disaster preparedness checklist, I’ve found these unexpectedly handy items for my disaster preparedness supplies.

1. Amaranth seeds

What in the world is Amaranth?, you may be asking.

I too had no idea a little while back.

Amaranth has a grain much like wheat. Its seeds can be eaten boiled, ground and used as flour, or popped like popcorn. It can be pressed to make oil. Planted, it produces yields similar to maize and rice, which is great.

Why bother with amaranth? Isn’t wheat sufficient?

Amaranth can grow practically anywhere. It doesn’t require much in terms of nutrients and can produce food under conditions where other crops fail. When it comes down to long-term self-sustenance, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Historically, Amaranth was the staple food of the Aztecs. Omnipresent in their daily lives, they used it everywhere, including their bloody human sacrifices. This led to the conquistadors promptly banning it after taking charge.

It’s still around though, but few outside health store regulars are aware of it. It’s also available online, and sometimes at larger local grocery stores on the health food aisle.

Amaranth is a blessing for gluten allergy sufferers because it’s 100% gluten free.

Amaranth seeds; don’t build your emergency stockpile without it.

2. Parachute cord

Not just for fly guys. Parachute cord is designed not to snap, obviously. It’s composed of multiple, twisted lines inside an outer filament.

Needless to say there are countless uses for a thin, sturdy cord in an emergency. It’s helpful in creating a makeshift shelter, or strengthening existing tents. Also suitable as shoelaces and for emergency first aid, just to name a few.

The inner lines, which are thinner but still strong, can be used for emergency sewing repairs, making a fishing line or a net, and so on. Available at army surplus stores and recently even on Amazon.

3. Popcorn

If your a movie buff you’ll know – I didn’t. As an emergency food I have to admit it’s priceless. Simple to transport, nutritious, easy to store and prepare.

It can also serve as a comfort food to keep some sense of normality and boost spirits during challenging times. I would have never thought of it.

4. Bleach

Bleach is highly regarded during emergencies for its disinfecting properties. It’s one of the first things to disappear off the shelves after a disaster situation. Ensuring a surface is bacteria free is invaluable at a time of crisis.

Bleach can also be used to purify water, should the need arise. Be sure you have the right kind of bleach. For water purification bleach should be in liquid, not powder form, and without any additives such as fragrances or cleaners. Never use more than 8 drops a gallon (or 2 drops/L), more could be dangerous. Find a better water source if the result is not satisfactory. Treated water will smell a bit of bleach, but that’s OK.

It’s also useful when doing laundry, of course.

5. Alcohol

OK, so you may have thought of alcohol. Actually, there is more to it than stacking up on the booze you like.

Alcohol is handy even if you don’t drink, for its medical properties.

There are two kinds of alcohol that should be in your emergency preparedness supplies:

• Medical Alcohol, for disinfection. Also useful for hand sanitizing when no running water is available. Alcohol is a solvent, a cleaner, and can be burned as fuel if needed.

• Alcoholic beverages. The main use is for trading; alcohol makes a powerful barter item. I don’t recommend it for your own consumption. While it may bring temporary comfort, alcohol clouds judgement and dehydrates, both of which are risky in an emergency.

For more survival goodness, I recommend you check out the “Sold Out After Crisis” ebook. I guarantee it will give you at least a couple useful ideas you may not have thought of otherwise. Who would have thought of Amaranth, after all?

More emergency preparedness checklists:

Back to the main Disaster Preparedness Checklist

Disaster Preparedness Checklist – Top 5 Non-Food Items

3 Day Short-Term Disaster Preparedness Checklist for Hurricanes