Here's my last minute shopping list of items people may forget to buy/do

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This is a list I have compiled for my friends to use. They seem to like it. Would you like to add any other items?

Last Minute Y2K Preparation - things many people may forget to buy/do

Please consider the following ( This is not an exhaustive list. It would not include your common, essential items like water barrels, canned foods, etc.):

  • Change your timing belt of your car if you have not done so already
  • oil change, brake and hose check & a complete tune up and maintenace.
  • elevate water heater 18" high to avoid explosion if gas is stored in the same room
  • Evaluate whether you need to install an iron gate or security door and window guards.
  • Butane stove ($16.00 in most Korea-town or china-town ) with extra cartridges (
  • spare tires and battery
  • at least 1 good mountain bike & a good bicycle lock and a shopping rack. A moped is another option.
  • PistoGuard 1006 Pepper gun (This shoots 20 feet with a gigantic 300 ml cartridge & is helpful in disbursing a riotous crowd). About $49-59. Do a search under Pistoguard (pepper spray). Not legal in some states or try the less expensive 4 oz. Heavy duty fogger (also claims to shoot 20 feet. About $13.95)
  • Instant ice pack, heat pack.
  • Passports (takes weeks to process)
  • A film shield pouch to hold cash (supposedly protect from scanners
  • For those of us who can't afford a generator, Portawaltz 300 watts DC to AC power inverter ( around $39 at Costco or Frys), plug in to cigarette lighter can power a 60 watts lamp, PC , TV or other equipment. May need a battery charger ($45) to recharge the car battery.
  • Peanut butter, jam & Ritz crackers - (kids will survive with them) check expiration date
  • New pair of glasses or contact
  • Plastic gas cans and gas stabilzers (store outdoor with caution & at your own risk)
  • 2 Big fire extinguishers
  • Long water hose
  • Bible
  • mouse traps (in case rodents multiply)
  • a shovel ( to dispose waste)
  • thermal longsleeve underwear
  • carbon monoxide alarm
  • Baby wipes (to wash hand & body if no water)
  • Natural antibiotics (Bioprotein A, olive leaf or the cheapest is Echinacea. . . .). Oscillococcinum by Boiron or Sambucal for Fever, flus.
  • duct tape in case of broken windows
  • Potassium iodate (in case of nuclear accident or explosion. Around $21.95 for 100 tablets. Better than potassium iodide.) Also, Bioguard S.O.D.
  • Plastic garbage cans or buckets to store non-drinking water.
  • Small cans of fruit juice or vitasoy milk, almond milk (99 cents each at Trader Joe)
  • Sweet & sour sauce ($1.19 per bottle at Trader Joe's, add to rice or meat, delicious!)
  • Barter items: batteries, toilet tissue)
  • Firewood, wood starter, charcoal lighter)
  • Do a blackout trial run (turn off all lights for a weekend) & see what you might need.
  • backpacks.
  • Try to get a 30-day medicine refill.
  • Indoor games / home-school curriculum, workbooks for kids if there's no school

    This is strictly informational. You are responsible for what you buy or how you use any items. Please consult with a preparedness expert first before you take any actions.



    -- Watchman (Watchman@watchforyou.com), November 27, 1999
  • Answers

    Watchman

    Good list. I made my own too, but I forgot quite a few things you listed. Thanks. I like to add a camping tent, fruits right before the new year, ink for printer (if it works), a good whistle, a good army knife, motor oils, antifreeze, natural multiple vitamins/minerals, good pair of tennis shoes...



    -- Mark (getting@ready.com), November 27, 1999.

    That is a pretty good list but here are also some other items: A Baygen Radio, Several good books on Wild Edible Plants and Wilderness Survival, Waterproof Matches or also Several Small Butane Lighters, A good pistol and some ammo for possible extreme emergencies, on food - some nuts (high in protein), raisens, beef jerky, etc. Things you can eat but do not have to cook, seeds to grow needed food when the weather warms, extra clothes. Etc.

    -- Kayla (kaylam@jetcity.com), November 27, 1999.

    Well stocked first aid kit with antibotic creams...plus extra tylenol, pepto bismal, aspirin, sleeping pills. Don't forget Lime or Kitty Litter for backyard latrines.

    -- kritter (kritter@adelphia.net), November 27, 1999.

    Bic disposable lighters, long and short, for home and barter. Candy in all sizes and flavors. Same as above. Paper, pens, and pencils, as well as all office supplies for Homeschooling, simple correspondence, etc. Muslin dishtowels for diapers, diaper pins, etc. Small rags sewn into pads for sanitary protection after the commercial ones are used up. These can be washed and reused. This is what women did in wartime. Treadle sewing machine and fabrics, threads, buttons, zippers, patterns, etc. SCISSORS! String, twine, and rubber bands. Strong magnifying glass. Clear nail polish for odd jobs. Polish remover for other odd jobs.

    -- Liz Pavek (lizpavek@hotmail.com), November 27, 1999.

  • shoe and bootlaces
  • mink oil and silicone
  • hand air pump, good quality
  • extra blankets and sheets and pillows and cushions, yard sales, thriftstores
  • ditto for work clothes, and if small children, several bags of assorted clothes in larger sizes than you have now, also some boots in increasingly larger sizes
  • magnifying glasses
  • reading glasses
  • small sewing kits
  • one more "brick" of .22 long rifle ammo
  • fish hooks and gear, extra spools of line
  • one each, extra shovel and hoe, fiberglass handled, if possible
  • ax, 5 lb head, two files for sharpening
  • extra pair binox, 20 clams, wally world
  • large size notepads, for journal keeping
  • a sundial! I got one, best time keeper out there! EMP proof, too! Garden centers have them
  • any and all metal containers from thriftstores. Store grains, electronics, etc. from sad experience, have to report that rodents are unimpressed by plastic. If all your stuff is in plastic buckets, check daily for intruders
  • h-m-m-m those biological roach things, seem to work the best, don't need no cuckarachas in your chow
  • MORE BUNGEE CORDS!
  • ditto tarps, keep them sealed up out of the sun until dire necessity
  • scrap wood, scrap pipe, buckets of nuts and bolts and nails and screws, tools and box for using
  • geez, make sure you got petfood, it sucks to have to put a pet down
  • meds for pets, too, like rabies/parvo shots, worming pills, etc
  • the hyperdermic extractor-style snakebite kits, about 15 clams, worth every penny, also powdered clean charcoal powder
  • gee, might as well store some canned clams (sorry)
  • more bleach, try to find the 2 for a buck brand, and goto www.clorox.com, click on disaster/emergency link there, print out the how-to's on using bleach, buncha copies, then clear tape a copy or six on the bleach bottles so anyone contemplating using the bleach doesn't screw up
  • scrap cardboard, and neatly tied stacks of newspapers, also get old phone books, usually free from neighbors
  • hey, condoms, won't be much cable tv at night.....
  • might as well score some massage oil while on subject.....
  • and that would lead to more batteries at some point....
  • canned beef stew, one can in a big pot of rice and beans will make all the difference in a bland world
  • hey, might as well get more hotsauce, too
  • butts and booze, even if you don't, most valuable, really, better'n gold or greenskins in emergencies
  • instant coffee, tea bags
  • big bag sunflower seeds--will grow you an amazing amount of food and fiber to till back into soil
  • same with whole feed corn
  • several bushels each winter squash, spuds, yams, apples
  • powdered gatorade or powerade stuff. Great for dehydration therapy, lasts a long time
  • garden hose leak mending kits
  • more rope, various sizes from parachute cord, to 1/4 inch, to heavier stuff, million uses
  • one roll, steel "tie" wire, with good sidecutter pliers
  • "space" blankets, at least one per person in group, the good kind, built like a tarp with grommet holes --there's some, next guy

    -- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), November 27, 1999.


  • ****Fuses, for "dirty power". Imagine the lights finally coming on, and you're the only home without due to a blown fuse! Happened to me after an ice storm knocked out my power for a week spanning X-mas last year. For non-techs, dirty power can mean spikes which can blow your fuse box. Best to make sure you have a couple extra set aside for you and a neighbor.

    -- Hokie (nn@va.com), November 27, 1999.

    Don't forget the coffee. Great barter tool, and imported!!

    -- Dorothy (Hippie1959@aol.com), November 28, 1999.

    > See your doctor / dentist > Prepare a will (if you haven't already) > Compass > Good pocket knife and sharpening stone > More TP > Toothbrushes & paste > Roll of plastic sheeting > Rope

    -- midas (midas_mulligan_2000@yahoo.com), November 28, 1999.

    Extra toothbrushes and toothpaste for unexpected guest that might pop in. Plenty of fertilizer for the garden and organic bug stuff. Solar motion detectors for front and back door entry. Cast iron trivet for use on the wood stove. Solar shower from Wal-Mart $7.95 and kiddy pool. Over the counter sinus/allergy meds. Water filter (portable) to use for rain barrel water,ponds and creeks. Heavy duty gloves to bring in wood and other chores. Extra pillows,paint,roofing tar,4 by 8 sheets of plywood,cat stuff for furballs.

    -- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), November 28, 1999.

    P.S.

    A lock for the garage.When the electricity goes off,your automatic garage door opener won't work.

    -- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), November 28, 1999.



    Hi all. Here's my imput:

    * Have a dental repair kit or two handy (around $5 at Wal-Mart) * Have plenty of duct tape * Rope and clothespins (have to dry the laundry somehow) * Denture care products * Wool blankets (they smolder, but won't burn like synthetics will) * Gel-filled burn pads (first aid), for use in case of boo-boo's with that new wood-burning stove you recently installed. * Knive sharpening kit * Have a good supply of large, strong trashbags * Get the no-wash hand sanitizer (great for conserving water, and no waste to throw away) * Fire alarm * Have pet and human first aid books handy, and read them thoroughly NOW. Don't wait until an emergency to read the book. * Plastic sheeting to cover windows or doors (weatherproofing or to prevent cooking odors from getting out) and keep a couple handy for home repairs too. * Call your utility companies and find where the lines are buried on your property. Even if the utilities are out, if you're going to dig, it's better to prevent an accident that might occur once the grid comes back up. * Snow shovel and lots of rock salt to help melt the ice

    -- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 28, 1999.


    Lots of rubber johnnies.

    -- yes (shagging@big.jugs), November 28, 1999.

    Plywood

    -- LM (latemarch@usa.net), November 28, 1999.

    Zog, I got a sundial, too. In antique store. But not much of an idea just how to use it. Yours come with instructions?

    -- Shivani Arjuna (SArjuna@aol.com), November 28, 1999.

    Sundial info is at http://www.sundials.co.uk/index

    RonD

    -- Ron Davis (rdavis@ozemail.com.au), November 28, 1999.



    That Bible is a great idea! Additionally, cards, dice, board games, and all types of books will come in handy when the power goes down and we can no longer be mesmerized by the 'boob tube'. Kids get cabin fever more easily than adults, as we understand the circumstances better. Family time will be important. boots, for hiking or gardening, seeds, fertilizer, if possible, lots of pet food,(my dog is almost a horse), traps (although originally used to get rid of pests - some of those pests are edible), SALT - more and all types! Salt is a key ingredient in almost everything we do or need.

    -- Donna Cavanaugh (lcav@mindspring.com), December 02, 1999.

    *Flashlights (w/spare bulbs), lots of *batteries. *Cleaning supplies. Spare *can opener. Spare *sun glasses, *sunscreen. *Insect repellant. Spare sets of *keys (perhaps spare *padlocks). *Aluminum foil (not just for hats).

    -- Deborah (infowars@yahoo.com), December 02, 1999.

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