Most Overlooked Preparation items? What's your experience

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Most overlooked items!

Our foundation is putting together a list of essential items that families should have for Year2000 preparations. One list we are drawing up is a "Most Commonly Overlooked List." We have scanned maybe 10 or more of the most popular lists on the Internet and in print (Y2k for Women, Ted DerryBerry's and Victor Porlier, and others, and we figure there are probably items that are very important, but which people overlook. Please help the ants prepare for winter and send along the things you have discovered! It might even help a few grasshoppers who see the light (solar, that is).

For example, people need extra fuses for cars and homes. Whistles for communication and safety. Plastic tarps Extra keys made up before 1/1/2K Extra eyeglasses Physical examination Duct tape Car battery Spark plugs Rope Scissors and Sharpening tools Printer cartridges Hearing aid batteries Spark plugs

Not everyone thinks these things are essential. Still, we'd like to get feedback from the people who have been preparing for these last months (or years!). That way we can get the list of commonly overlooked items into the hands of people so that they don't make any costly mistakes in their preparations (like forgetting acquiring the knowledge necessary to use what they buy, as Bruce Beach pointed out on a list)

Send to laznet@lazrus.org with MCO in the subject

Thanks for the help. We can send out the list once we have it together.

Walter Skold Lazarus Foundation

-- Walter Skold (laznet@lazrus.org), June 03, 1999

Answers

Water... and more water.

Ways to catch it, collect it, haul it, find it, pump it, purify it, store it, etc.

Can't live long, or grow a garden without it.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), June 03, 1999.


Diane,

I understand your concern about water. In CA we do not get rain for more than half a year, so we need to store alot.

But I grew up in the midwest, and drought's were very seldom more than a few weeks at worst. I can not remember a whole month with out rain. The point being, storage of sustantial amounts of water is critial in arid areas like CA, water collection (and methods therein) are usefull in the midwest and east.

Most forgotten Item: Waste disposal

Keep the faith.

Helium

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), June 03, 1999.


Walter, hope you will post your info here.

Some other possiblities:

Block insulation cut to fit windows. Silicone caulking. Spray foam that expand to fill a cavity can be shaped using aluminum foil. Anything to weatherproof ones home to retain heat, I was amazed at the cracks between my foundation and the sidewall of the house.

Indoor seed starting outfit w/grow lights and reflectors. (I expect Y2K impacts to last beyond any power outage.)

Heat to keep stored water fluid.

Extra copper pipes with elbows and soldering kit just in case pipes freeze and burst.

Local topo maps.

Wool clothes.

Three wheel bike with big basket.

Camp Shower.

More as soon as I can remember them...

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), June 03, 1999.


Magnifying glass. You and I don't know how to make matches or Bic Lighters. But even an eight year old can start a flame with a magnifying glass.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), June 03, 1999.

Tetanus shots for the whole family; kids' immunizations up to date.

-- Jill D. (jdance@mindspring.com), June 03, 1999.


Documentation.

-- PNG (png@gol.com), June 03, 1999.

Tweezers for those splinters

-- gail (no@thanks.com), June 03, 1999.

I was going to suggest clothes, but wool clothes is even better.

This might sound wierd but light bulbs.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), June 03, 1999.


Immunizations, all likely flavors

-- Carlos (riffraff1@cybertime.net), June 03, 1999.

My personal oversights were: fix a flat, carborator cleaner, corn starch and velcro.

-- Lilly (homesteader145@yahoo.com), June 03, 1999.


Children can be made to wear the clothes of others, so my vote for our son was, SHOES. Also, pocket warmers, plastic tarps and jumbo lawn bags, paper of ANY sort (old phone books, I keep one on my cook stove), the medicine chest MUST be complete (don't EVEN forget your Imodium A D, I've used it on livestock before) The list is endless!

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 03, 1999.

Rope, twine, tacks (thumb), tape ("Scotch," duct, masking, electrical). Wood screws and nails. Velcro. Screw hooks and eyes.

Basic home tools: hammer, screwdriver, adjustable wrench, pliers. Don't cut costs here. Get quality tools. Try Sears Craftsman if you're not sure.

Spare shoelaces.

Spare shoes to replace the ones that wear out; footwear for different conditions, if possible (galoshes, snow boots, walking shoes for movement over paved and unpaved ground). Warm socks for winter.

Moleskin for blisters. Poison oak/ivy treatment (calamine, etc.). Salt tablets for summer heatstroke. Bandannas or equivalent for sweatbands. Lots of 'em. Petroleum jelly for heat sores.

Q-tips and bandaids. Eyecup and bottle of eyewash. Ear syringe. Emergency dental repair kit.

Warm hats and gloves for winter. Work gloves. Mufflers. Linen hankerchiefs (they're washable/reusable).

-- LP (soldog@hotmail.com), June 03, 1999.


Trade with China may stop. So buy several pairs of shoes at shopko on sale for only $9.95.

The flow of oil will stop from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Mexico. Stock up with several cases of engine oil. You can buy a case on sale for less than $10.

Lots of book matches. A very inexpensive bartering item, but a very valuable item to barter with.

-- freddie (freddie@thefreeloader.com), June 03, 1999.


stuff to fix shoes and boots with- there is stuff in a tube that fixes slits and holes in rubber boots. Also shoe goop type stuff to repair sneaker soles with- the supply of cheap Nikes may end......

and it's about time we got into the habit of fixing stuff and truly wearing it out before replacing anyway...

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), June 03, 1999.


Razor blades-----A couple of boxs of the 100s. What would a handy man do without razor blades

-- thinkIcan (thinkIcan@make.it), June 03, 1999.


Condoms

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), June 03, 1999.

What are pocket warmers?

Carbon paper. Paper. Pencils & pens. Manual pencil sharperers. Plastics - trash bags, saran wrap. Tampons - lots of them (Few will think of it - esp. since it seems there are more men than women GIs, but MANY will need them). Manual lawn mower or scythe. Sharpening stone. Face masks (to cut down on infections - will any of them stop anthrax?) Lime - big sack. For disposing of human waste.. or burying humans (if it gets that bad). Alcohol (rubbing and drinking). Many uses, including barter. Tobacco also. ANYTHING you currently use that comes from another country or from more than a few hundred miles away. Powdered milk. If you drink it have lots of the dry mix (and flavoring mixes if needed). Many processes from milking to delivery in refrigerated trucks are at risk. And if the cows aren't milked (because the power is off) for any length of time, they may get sick and be slaughtered. Could be a LONG time before the milk industry recovers - esp. if already struggling dairy farmers go under. Birth control pills and devices and condoms. Carpet sweeper. Plywood sheets. Real winter storm prep items if you are in an area subject to flooding or heavy snows. If a bad storm happens in Jan. or Feb. of 2000 it may be impossible to have advance warning, may be impossible to get sandbags, snow shovels etc.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), June 03, 1999.


Topo maps - excellent! Tetanus shot - do I have to ma?

Two-person crosscut saw, buck saw, splitting maul, camp axe for firewood prep start to finish.

Manual clothes washer, clothesline & pins.

Bug-out bags (reminder to self).

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), June 03, 1999.


Bicycle inner tubes, correct size for your bicycle... you DO have a bicycle don't you??? Repair kit for above. Extra set of tires for the bicycle, just in case. If power goes off for WHATEVER reason, for any length of time, you will not be able to get gas from a modern gas station.

A high quality, large, bicycle pump. It will pump up more than just a bicycle tire. No electricity, no air compressors...

Remaining mobile is a definite issue... have a backup, just in case.

dreamin, on the floor in living room,

The Dog

-- The Dog (cmpennell@juno.com), June 03, 1999.


Needles

Thread

Anti-fungal cream

Sun Screen

Miracle Grow or other fertilizer for our gardens

Sevin Dust for bugs

Roll of Polyethelene (sp?) or else cheap plastic drop cloth for plant protection ie. improvise some kind of greenhouse to start seeds?

Dessert items to alleviate stress-how about some chocolate chips? Sam's and Costco have 10 lb. bags for about $11-$12.

-- Sharon L (sharonl@volcano.net), June 03, 1999.


Look at the "Barter Items" article on my website for some items. The address is www.y2ksafeminnesota.com.

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), June 03, 1999.

Antibotics

Fever Reducer (children)

The following is for bartering with fellow GI, coffee,MT DEW!!!(just kidding), matches, live animals (chickens, rabbits,etc..), wepons and amo, a marketable survice...like splitting wood for your elderly GI neighbor in exchange for a chicken...or something else you need and they have.

Bulldog

-- bulldog (sniffin@around.com), June 03, 1999.


Those little eye glass screws and screw drivers and get the Septic tank drained

-- Ruth the Moab (aapm@aapainmanage.org), June 03, 1999.

Those little eye glass screws and screw drivers and get the Septic tank drained. Patches for the jeans.

-- Ruth the Moab (aapm@aapainmanage.org), June 03, 1999.

Syphon for gasoline. I hate the taste of gasoline.

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), June 03, 1999.

dental floss and nail clippers

matches, matches, matches

-- dinosaur (dinosaur@williams-net.com), June 03, 1999.


Our old favorite style plumbers helper. Use with 5 gal. plastic bucket to wash clothes. Have mucho 5 gal. plastic buckets. Pick up a toilet seat w/lid and put on a 5 gal bucket (with a plastic can liner/trash bag) and eureka!...you have a portable potty. If yours has a bad aroma (mine doesn't) use lime, pinesol, etc. You can store both water and food in the buckets ..... caveat...do not use one bucket for all of the above.

-- rb (phxbanks@webtv.net), June 03, 1999.

Caulking (alot of bathtubs leak slowly, check and time how long yours holds water) Extention cords,heavy duty,long ones to plug appliances into generator.(It's not to safe unless your an electrician to hook gen. up to whole house. Also it waste power, so I've been told.

-- Justincase (jjsd@aloha.net), June 03, 1999.

Get pets' checkups, annual boosters, 3-year rabies, plenty of food and cat litter, first-aid kit and OTC meds for pets. Baby wipes for wiping the important bits, epoxy putty (sets like steel, fixes pipes, all kindsa stuff), blackouts for windows (plywood, thick fabric) so people don't see you have light at night (if they know you have light, they know you have food and other supplies), solar-powered attic exhaust fan, solar battery chargers (C. Crane and Co has good one, recharges several types, others usualyl only AAs, bought two, very happy), canned heat (chafing dish fuel), barbecue tools to cook on Colemans, harmonica for entertainment (thanks BigDog!), hand lotion, clothes pins, take scissors and garden tools to be sharpened--or stash sharpener--manual lawnmower, lots of sturdy plastic dropcloths/tarps, screening material for replacements, extra aluminum flashing, roof sealant, extra shingles, personal battery-operated fan, fly-swatters, all kinds of Ben Gay and similar for those aches and pains from unaccustomed exercise.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), June 03, 1999.

fireplace cleaned

bug spray (Louisiana has large roaches and Orkin might be unavailabel)

outdoor insect repellant

baby ben (so you're not late for work if you still have a job)

freezer and frig thermometers (if you're using a generator)

-- Carol (jdufrene@laci.net), June 03, 1999.


Several rolls of duct tape and clear poly rolled sheeting (6 mil (?), 20 ft or so each) cheap at Wally World: Use for tenting, window cover, covering wood, collecting water, rain poncho, etcetera.

$16 Solar battery charger for multiple sized rechargeables and rechargeable batteries. Tampons/pads & disposable diapers if not for you then for the first aid kit (tampons for the entrance hole, pad for the exit) seriously though these can really help if trauma occurs (chopping wood, etc.) and there is a delay in medical services. Learn CPR not just for older folks but for children who often choke on things.

Cast iron griddle or griddle insert from top of old stove. This works very well propped on two bricks, rocks etc. over a small hot fire. Have fried a lot of bacon, cutthroat trout, potatoes like that and had my old pot sitting on the other end heating water for coffee. Could use this set inside the huge wasteful fireplaces so many of our homes have or wherever we may find ourselves. I read somewhere a suggestion of filling a bunch of those old film canisters we can't stand to throw away with dryer lint for starting fires - haven't tried it but sounds good.

Tincture of Iodine 7% (not the "gentle stuff") for handling festered wounds from whatever cause, abcesses, puncture wounds, wherever you wanted an antiseptic with a slight cauterizing effect - it works! Also may want to find info on dosing you and yours with it if radiation becomes a problem (don't remember the details tonight - will post when I find it).

Super glue (in addition to the multitude of normal uses will also glue back a ripped-into-the-quick fingernail and can be used as an effective skin suture for some small wounds. Curved quilting needles and thread also work well for serious wounds though I don't think you will need to go to that extreme, just wrap/pressure bandage, elevate above heart if heavy bleeding and find a doctor/vet.

Reflective thermal emergency blankets "space blanket" in your home, car, bug-out bag.

Extra rubber boots for everyone. Cheap stocking caps. Nyquil. Thermos for hot liquids and/or cooking grains by pouring boiling water in with grain, capping and leaving overnight.

Animal antibiotics - just the basics - for your goats/pigs of course. Get a Jeffers catalog 1-800-JEFFERS, the one for cattle, sheep, etc.. Great source for cheap iodine too.

Yikes!

-- Kristi (securx@Succeed.Net), June 03, 1999.


Oh, almost forgot CAN OPENERS! Include several of those army style ones that go on a key ring - they work and you always have it with you. Remember that the nice big hand-cranked ones always give out when you really need it.

-- Kristi (securx@Succeed.net), June 03, 1999.

Hi Folks

I recommend some malleable mild steel wire, which we in Australia know as fencing wire. Get it in a few different guages if possible. You can fix an amazing range of things with fencing wire and ingenuity. Wire coat hangers can be used as well but the quality of the wire does not seem as high.

Another idea is the big silvery mylar sheets sometimes known as space or emergency blankets. As well as their survival use to keep warm they make fantastic reflector material for low cost solar ovens.

Assorted nuts, bolts nails and screws - LOTS.

Playing cards, a few packs.

Best of luck

RonD

-- Ron Davis (rdavis@ozemail.com.au), June 03, 1999.


Motorala Talk-About radios w/headsets. Great for community use w/in a 2 miles radius.

All sorts and sizes of plastic/rubber tubing. Bungee cords.

Garlic (gotta have it!)

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), June 04, 1999.


Extra cotton string mops
ammonia, clorox, 409
wetnap..moist towelettes
for the texan with the beautiful wife that plans to screw some old folks out of their property some exlax for himself and some cold meds for the Mrs as she is always sans camo.
polaroid
cardboard and tinfoil for solar oven making.
chewing gum and baling wire for fixin things.
a dutch oven
lots of charcoal and lighter fluid
a rubber hammer to pound down plastic lids and an easy open bucket opener.
If possible some pictures of our polly trolls to scare the crows away from our crops.........

-- okie-redneck (x@y.net), June 04, 1999.

On my one big lifetime trip to the Amazon, at every village tribe we visited, women tried to talk me out of my hair barrettes -- offered me beautiful hand woven baskets for them -- But I could not think of going the rest of the trip with hair hanging in my eyes -- and I only had brought one set. When your hair starts to grow and the perm is gone -- Will you have hair sissors/bobbie pins/barrettes??.....

got combs??

-- ALURKER (nobody@nowhere.com), June 04, 1999.


lots of extra socks, underwear, and shoelaces. I found my grandson asking me the other day, did I have an extra set of shoelaces (he's come to think of me as the grandma with the magic closet full of any thing you can imagine). And guess what?! I didn't have it!

There are so many things along these lines which could be scarce even if power stays on and we merely suffer the supply line disruptions from other countries. So look in your kitchen cabinets (I got extra kitchen knives and spatulas along with those can openers).

My daughter bought shoes for each child for the next five years (at least their projected growth patterns)...

-- Shelia (Shelia@active-stream.com), June 04, 1999.


Walter; Have people who have cats to get--- Oil Dry --- instead of cat litter,because it's the same thing only with a scent to it. I use it for our cats and use a little laundry soap powder. Cats don't care... Besides that Oil Dry comes in 50 lb bags and cost is maybe $3.00 ??? Just trying to help...

Furie...

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), June 04, 1999.


Bug spray, mouse traps, mosquito repellent, roach baits. You might want to have extra batteries and toilet paper for the neighbors.

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), June 04, 1999.

Camera

like Polaroid. For pix of damage for insurance. also for record of valuables, as you accumulate them, etc.

[You can also use for the identification of the trespassers you buried out back.]

If you can power the computer [:-)] a digital is nice...

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), June 04, 1999.


Bug spray and flypaper. There is gonna be a lot of roaches and mosquitos as it gets warmer and there is no garbage collection or flush toilets.

Bicycle inner tubes to stuff down toilets and sinks if the sewers back up. a pump or flatfix to pump them up a bit once they are in place.

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), June 04, 1999.


ACKYPUCKY....my term for those things which come in a tube and always come in handy. Shoe-goo, GE silicone (aka RTV sealant), 5-minute epoxy (and the stronger 1-hour variety), superglue (the heavy-duty, modeler's variety).

Xacto knives and plenty of #10 blades (while your at the hobby store), Kevlar fishing line (300 pound test, worth the extra buck), filament reinforced strapping tape.

Dry wall screws (better than nails and reusable), 10 gauge insulated solid copper wire is better than bailing wire although more costly.

WD40, waterproof lithium (white) grease. Hand Guard barrier cream and more WD40, an excellent handcleaner and goop remover.

Y2K or not, I couldn't live without this stuff.

Hallyx

"We have enough youth. How about a 'Fountain of Smart?'" --- (seeking attribution)

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), June 04, 1999.


antifreeze...bullets.

-- br14 (br14@done.there), June 04, 1999.

Padlocks & extra bolts for outhouses/sheds etc.Knife & axe sharpner.WD 40.

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), June 04, 1999.

Fire extinguisher a large one

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), June 04, 1999.

Linen hankerchiefs, top maps, magnifying glass (excellent!!)...I was thinking chain links (in case you have to "bug out" and want to "pull" more than one wagon, for instance (to hold together) with a lock.

-- nsmith (nitnat3@aol.com), June 04, 1999.

If you have a small business that you may be able to operate periodically(if we have power) you may need to stock up on copy paper, copier supplies, ribbons for printers/typewriters and so on....don't forget STAMPS. That assumes that US post office will be functioning somewhat. Don't rely on the pitney bowes "reload over the phone" stamp machine.

-- jeanne (jeanne@hurry.now), June 04, 1999.

Thanks for all the great feedback. I should be in the WD40 business!

I had read somewhere that bike tires for back-up toilets and sinks would not be enough to hold back the pressure that might come into a house if the town sewage backs up. Had read that you need to cut off the problem at the source in the basement with some heavier duty things than just a bike tire.

It will be a few weeks before we compile the whole list. We are looking for things that seniors may especially want to have as well (of course meds, alt heat, friends/family to be together with, many of the same things we all want to have). But think of seniors living together or alone, with the means to prepare. What are some other items just for the older jet set?

And of course for women we have seen the excellent list by Karen Anderson at Y2K for Woman, but we bet since that was compiled some ladies came up with additions. With all the people who were trying to make Millennial babies this year, a knowledge of how to deliver babies, along with the necessary equipment, is something important for someone in each neighborhood to know.

thanks again all.

-- Walter Skold (laznet@lazrus.org), June 04, 1999.


Safety Pins....

-- Carlie (carlie_scott@yahoo.com), June 04, 1999.

Rice milk. Can be purchased in most any supermarket. Comes in a box that has the "use by" date printed right on the top. In my opinion, rice milk is delicious, tastes much, much better than reconstituted dry milk, and you don't add water to it, using up precious water supply. Use just as you would cow's milk, on cereal, to drink, etc. Doesn't need refrigeration before opening.

-- Ann Streit (annstreit@hotmail.com), June 04, 1999.

"I read somewhere a suggestion of filling a bunch of those old film canisters we can't stand to throw away with dryer lint for starting fires - haven't tried it but sounds good"

Kristi, it works better if you coat the lint (or cotton balls) with petroleum jelly.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), June 04, 1999.


Swiss Army Knife mine has a magnifying glassm can opener, bottle opener, tweezers, scizzers, metal file, wood saw (actually cut down a tree for christmas with it) assorted screwdrivers, cork screw (many uses), fish scaler and other things.You can get them with different combinations of items. Look for an EXCALABAR store in your mall. Also you can get other "combination" items with tools, silverwear, etc.

-- Cherri (sams@brigadoon.com), June 04, 1999.

DAMN! You people are STILL good! I'm printing this one right now. (or maybe tonight when it fills up a little more.)

-- jor-el (jor-el@krypton.uni), June 04, 1999.

smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, and find someone in your area (and the areas of your out of town family) who operates a ham radio. Possibly during an emergency they may be able to relay a message for you (check for local Ham operator clubs!)

-- kat (kat@r-v.net), June 04, 1999.

Re the elderly Those tablets that phizz for cleaning dentures, Fleets enamas, Immodium D, Gas Ex, TP and Kleenex and Paper towels,Aspirin, linamint,and did I mention TP? Please don't forget the TP. When I had my parents and mother in law here, I bought TP, Kleenex and Paper towels by multiple cases and had never heard of y2k. Did I mention TP? And try and think about things they like and will whine alot if they don't have. They can get very set in their likes and dislikes. And sometimes, as with my mother, she hated something one day and was in love with it the next. It gets real tedious taking care of the elderly and you want to think of those things that will make it easy on you as well. I am down to one now. The mother in law and she is the easiest of all. This is a gal who used to make elk camp for 20 men and would go bear hunting. Has 3 bear notches on her gun. She is truly a mother in law made in heaven. I really don't know how I would get through y2k if my own mother were still alive.

LOTS of toilet paper!! Taz

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), June 05, 1999.


For the last 10-12 months my wife and I (she really is the leader in this) have been practicing the use of home medicine through the use of a Homeeopathic Medicine "Household Kit." This kit contains 35 small jars of various homeopathic medicines, and we are finding them very successful in treating a variety of conditions. We have a 5 year old boy, a 8 month old girl, and my wife and myself. Just in case we do not have access to medical care, we have been practicing, with the help and counsel of a wise older woman familar in the use of these medicines, as well as leaning (now) on a Naturopath Physician.

Recommend you look into having one of these Household Kits in your possession. Personally I have found it beneficial for colds, flu, back ache, indigestion, headache, therapy following a tooth extraction, etc. My wife found it extremely beneficial before and after childbirth; children's teething problems, etc.

-- Joseph (Here.in@Tucson.AZ.com), June 05, 1999.


Toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss for dental care.

Plastic storage bags (ziploc type), garbage bags, alumimum foil, plastic wrap, canning lids, bar soap, detergents, vinegar, salt (cooking and sidewalk), sugar, needles and thread.

Other medically related stuff such as bandaids, disinfectant, gauze, medical tape, iodine, anti-diahreahl medicine.

For the folks who have cold winters and snow: extra snow shovels, Carhardts to keep warm/work outside, bib overalls, socks, underwear, seaters.

Shampoo, paper, pencils, pens, erasers, paper towels, nails, staples, pen ink for fountain pens.

If you're wearing contacts and you're worried about supply interruptions, make sure that you have spares, along with cleaning solution. An extra pair of eyeglasses if you wear them.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), June 05, 1999.


I didn't see cough drops, cough syrup, cold/flu medicine or (my favorite) CHAPSTICKS mentioned, not to mention Puffs-Plus. Kleenex cold-care SUCKS in comparison to Puffs-Plus.

Anita

-- Anita Spooner (spoonera@msn.com), June 05, 1999.


Indeed, if you need corrective lenses you should certainly get spares. In fact, a good pair of SAFETY GLASSES, ground to your prescription if you need vision correction, is invaluable.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), June 05, 1999.

This is such a good thread.

Lets see if I can remember back.... pipe clamps, monkey wrench, reverse thread bolts, (be without them when you need one), enough 7/16 wrenches - sockets, grease - gun, filters, foam, bailing wire, rope, wind up clock, extra bits for the multi head screw driver, pens, pencils, pads, drafting tools, **MAPS**, wire clamps, winches, backgammon board (very important)

One will never know what one will miss till you find it is broke.

Personally books, music, and tools - material, are what I miss the most when they are not there. Oh and tea, (but that rarely ever happens).

-- Brian (imager@home.com), June 06, 1999.


zippers, buttons, shoelaces, quilts and woolen blankets. My dad's diabetic and I suggested he look into a small refrigerator that can be operated by batteries. There is a portable one for meds for verterinarians that is small. Newspaper for firestarting and wrapping produce for storage.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), June 06, 1999.

For "how to" information and recipes and anything you now depend on the internet or the library for: PRINT IT OUT.

Alternately, burn all esssential information onto CD-ROMs for your laptop or the computer that you plan to back up by a solar-powered battery (if you are able to do that)!

-- Sara Nealy (keithn@aloha.net), June 06, 1999.


Take a class from Red Cross or others which teach life-saving techniques (CPR).

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), June 06, 1999.

This is what a Y2K forum is all about...

People sharing information. As Martha would say, "this is a very good thing.

luxury foods - chocolate, caramel, whatever your "weakness" is. (you now know what mine are) These are to reward yourself on occasion. Long storage food ain't the most verietal.... nor the most tasty. Find a cool spot to hide this. If you have kids in your house, you know what I am talking about.

loungin' in the grass,

The Dog

-- Dog (cmpennell@juno.com), June 06, 1999.


Your Bible for inspiration and guidance...there's alot in there about "how to Live"

-- marlene evans (e3mareva@fast.net), June 06, 1999.

All spices but esp salt & pepper ...very important
Sterno or canned heat..cheap, safe and heated foods can taste better.
Pencils and a sharpner...and paper
your pocket change
small tarps & tent pegs/stakes
baking soda & vinigar....lots of uses

-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), June 07, 1999.

This is one of the top ten best posts for me personally, many thanks to all! God love ya!

Hats winter and summer, Steel wool - great for starting fires even in the wetter climates, Rendezvous point w/ security measures (password, times and dates etc.) pocket fishing buddy, two way radio - up to two miles if possible and privacy, dried fruits - no scurvy please, lotsa bleach - may need to use reusable tp or feminine hygiene etc., voltage tester to check power if all appliances are out while waiting for black/brown out conditions or in a unfamiliar domicile, new watch batteries - to make that rendezvous on time, shovel, space blankets, leather - ie deer hide skin for mukluks or moccasins or patches, headlight cover - ie W.W.II traveling with minimum visibility, work gloves - for those blisters in places we haven't used for a while.

-- unspun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), June 07, 1999.


lamp wicks, heater wicks, windup watch, flashlight bulbs, hacksaw blades, car oil/air filters, jars and lids, extra oil and filters for genset.

-- && (&&@&&.&), June 07, 1999.

To the top.

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), June 13, 1999.

Lice treatment kits! Shampoo and spray for the furniture. Tea tree oil can also be used for this purpose. Tea tree oil is also an excellent home remedy for rashes, boils, LOTS of different skin afflictions.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), June 13, 1999.

To the top with any How-To books you can find.

-- J (jart5@bellsouth.net), June 14, 1999.

Saw palmetto for my dad. Incontinence pads for mom.

-- I'll (never@grow.old), June 14, 1999.

have propane bar-b-que and spare tanks filled prior to 00 that will allow cooking for many weeks...also may be useful for barter... rather heavy to carry though.... alcohol fire pills also

-- bill beam (beam@dramsoft.com), July 09, 1999.

For those of you that have children: I myself haev 6. Board games, cards, drawing pencil, chalk, pens, education books( they have them at Sam's club real cheap) paint, carving knives( can make spears for fishing/hunting) Newspaper for paper folding, starting fires,and I have read that if you cut newspaper to your shoe size and put it inside your shoes that it keeps your feet warm. OH ! as for the canned food freezing: I thought that you could get in touch with a building supplier and buy sheets of styrofoam to insulate your canned goods. Good Luck and GOD Bless ;-)

-- Candy ;-) (OTCANDY @aol.com), August 03, 1999.

Two Australian books on growing your own food and self-sufficiency: Backyard Self-sufficiency, by Jackie French. Aird Books, Melbourne, Australia. ISBN 0-947214-24-0, A$14.95. and Permaculture - A Designers Manual, by Bill Mollison, Tagari Publications, Tyalgum, New South Wales, Australia, (no ISBN on this book), A$75.00. Not cheap, but a giant volume of ideas collected from around the world in sustainable living. (No, I have no monetary interest in plugging these books. They are just very good.)

-- David Harvey (vk2dmh@hotmail.com), August 03, 1999.

I have started compiling a list of CDs (and possibly books) containing valuable information for rebuilding after Y2K (and of course during the crisis). You can find it here. Of course, I'm always looking for new links to add to this page, so if you have some suggestions, please let me know.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), August 03, 1999.

fire extinguishers, pencils, manual can openers, red cross first aid training, hand axe, crow bar, monofilament fishing line, sleeping bags (--NO NOT A CHEAP ONE, I MEAN ONE RATED FOR 0 DEGREES or below), love, compassion, and of course, GUITAR STRINGS!! yeehaw.

-- coprolith (coprolith@rocketship.com), August 03, 1999.

to the top

-- zzz (doing@zzzz.z), August 07, 1999.

fishing hooks, Epsom Salts (this is good for drawing out infections), Anti-bacterial Soap (Dial was recommended to me by a Dr. for treating infection), bobby pins, hair bands, rubber bands, alcohol and peroxide, baking soda (good for toothpaste, making a homemade "Pedialyte" and regular cleaner), small toys or coloring books/reading books, crayons, etc...for small children, other type games for older children, Aloe Vera plant (good for bug bites, dry skin, burns, etc....), BBs or pellets (works for small game)

-- me (me@me.com), August 09, 1999.

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