So you know how important it is to be prepared with food, water, warmth & shelter. But what about items that we take for granted everyday? While the basics are very important, you may learn fast that there are other items that can be of great use during a time of emergency or disaster.

Our purpose in preparation, is not just to help you stay alive during a difficult situation, but also to be able to live comfortably.  There are a few items you might be overlooking in your effort to become prepared.

Here are a few items I thought you might want to consider in your plan to be ready:

Medications
If you are a person who is in need of medication, you know how important it is to your overall health. It is wise to talk to your doctor and ask them if there is a way for you to stock up on your medications over time. If you have a relationship of trust with your doctor, and no history of prescription drug abuse, you may be able to work out a plan to help you prepare for emergencies.

Entertainment
Just living off of food and water could get dull after a while. Why not think about setting aside a way for you to gain some entertainment as well? You could store an ipod that has your favorite music and that can be powered with one of our dynamo chargers. Pack your 72 hour kits with books and board games to help pass the time in a physiologically healthy way. If you play an instrument, consider packing some sheet music or the instrument itself if it’s portable.

Athletic Equipment
Another healthy way to pass the time is to play sports. This can help give you some exercise to keep you healthy. You can pack a simple football, basketball, soccer ball, frisbee, or other kind of ball to help you have a fun and invigorating sport to play.

Hygiene products
This one is not just a want, but it is essential. Do you have all the sanitation supplies you need? Do you have the hygiene products you want so you can feel and smell clean? Keeping your body clean will help prevent disease that would further complicate an emergency situation. Don’t forget soap to wash your dishes and clothing!

Maps
Travel could become difficult of things really get bad. Storing some old fashioned maps and a compass can help you navigate without the need to power up a GPS system. Maps can also help you find necessary supplies and water sources.

Tools
Tools are very important. You never know how much we use them until you go without them. In addition to garden tools like shovels and garden hoe’s, consider keeping a compact ratchet set in your car. Or keep a tool box with hammers, nails, screw drivers, pliers, and what ever else you may need. Keep it as simple as possible, but make sure your tools are high quality. They will take a beating. Also, a good multi-tool can be very handy.

Extra Blankets and warm clothing
The great thing about blankets and warm clothing is that they help you conserve your fuel for cooking and extreme weather. Your body can adjust to temperature changes with the help of blankets and warm clothing. Then, if it gets too cold for these items to work, you will have more fuel saved up to help get you through the really cold weather.

Swim Suits
You might find it needful to get wet. Whether that’s trudging through a river, going fishing, or even just another way to have some fun and keep cool. Packing your swim suit in your survival kit will beat getting your other clothes wet, or the need to get through the water in the nude!

Candy and Snacks
Sweeten up your situation with some candy or snacks. You won’t want to over do this, but it really can help make life a little sweeter for everyone in the family, not just the children.

Firearms and Ammunition
You might find it needful to supplement your food sources with hunting. Fresh meat is a great source of energy in the form of protein. Of course you hopefully will have stored up a good supply of meats from our selections, however, it’s good to take advantage of any food sources you can find so that you can stretch your food supply out as long as you can. In addition, firearms can help protect you and your family.

Skills
Maybe the biggest thing we overlook is gaining survival skills. This isn’t just about how to live in the wild, it’s also about learning useful skills that can help your family and community, such as gardening, sewing, learning to build safe structures, taking care of animals, even learning to work with metal. These skills would be very valuable in a barter society. Preparedness is not just about what you have, but also who you are and what you know how to do to survive.

Dress Rehearsal
Hearkening back to my days of school earthquake drills in California a good idea is to have a dress rehearsal where you take your emergency supplies and use them exclusively for a period of time, 3 days being a good start. Surviving on only your supplies you will quickly learn what things you are doing right and what things you could add or change that would make the experience better.

Source:thereadystore.com