Chapter 6 – Sanitation and First Aid

 

ITEM #47 – PERSONAL SANITATION ITEMS

Personal sanitation items are not only necessary for you to feel happy and comfortable, they also keep you hygienic and healthy.  Here are some items you should definitely keep in your stockpile.

 

Toilet paper is one item you will feel unhappy going without for a day, never mind trying to survive a SHTF situation.  So, don't risk finding yourself without and make sure you have it stockpiled.  Also, be sure you have enough diapers for infants and feminine hygiene products.  Paper towels are incredibly useful and have about a million uses, so make sure you have stockpiled plenty.   

 

Another great product to stockpile is cotton balls.  They are great for general first aid uses and can be employed as a fantastic fire-starer. 

 

You will already have towels in your home, but having plenty of spare towels for when SHTF is a good idea.  They can come in very useful for a range of cleaning and sanitary tasks and will be invaluable should you experience flooding. 

 

ITEM #48 - SOAP

Stockpile plenty of soap.  In a SHTF scenario, it is crucial you do all you can to avoid any risk of infection.  Soap can be used to keep you clean, your cutlery clean and your clothes.  

 

ITEM #49 – GLUE, PINS, THREADS AND NEEDLES

These are necessary for applying bandages and slings etc.  As well as patching up yourself and others, it is likely that at some point you will have to do running repairs to your shelter, your clothes or footwear.  We are used to simply going out to a mall to replace a worn t-shirt, but when the SHTF that won't be an option.  It will be a case of mend and make do.  In this situation a simple sewing kit will suddenly become an essential item.  Likewise, safety pins will help you to fasten all manner of things, including tears in shelters, clothes and packaging. 

 

Pack some strong glue.  If you need to fasten a broken show this will help you out.

 

ITEM #50 - FIRST AID KIT

The Red Cross supply a Deluxe Family First Aid Kit.  This is an excellent general purpose first aid kit.  However, this is described as a '72 Hour Kit' and for longer term survival plans you will need to adapt it. 

 

For your shelter-in-place kit you will need to add a number of items and take into consideration your family's specific needs.  Remember that the best first aid kit will always be the one that you create yourself, as it will be tailored to your needs.  Do not be tempted to simply buy one and assume it has everything you need.  You need to personalize it. 

 

The 72 Hour Kit weighs 2 pounds so for Bugging-Out you may need to use something lighter.  The Red Cross also offer a 'Ready' First Aid Kit with just the minimum of bare essentials.  This weighs in at less than a pound and could be kept in your Bug-Out bag.