Most preppers would say that bugging in is the best option when it comes to worst-case scenarios. Sure, an off-grid bug out location is cool and all, but let’s face it: owning one isn’t the case for many of us.
When bugging in, it’s important to remember that food isn’t your only lifeline once disaster strikes. You also have to stock up on essential gear to ensure you’re safe and sound at home.
Don’t know what to stockpile? We’ve compiled a prepper supplies list just for you, so read on:
Why Preppers Choose to Bug In
Prepping your home for bugging in during large-scale disasters is your safest bet for the following reasons:
- Your home is where you’re most comfortable, and it helps to be in a familiar place during a stressful situation. At the same time, security and defense won’t be much of a problem since you know the property inside out.
- There’s plenty of space for bug in essentials. You’ll have all the room you need to stockpile food, water, gear, and other prepper supplies.
- The last thing you want is to get stuck somewhere without a reliable shelter. Sheltering in place is your first line of defense from harsh weather conditions. You can even fortify your home to make it more stormproof or to save it from attacks.
- Bugging in can save you so much time and energy because everything you need is already in one house. You’ve got your well-stocked pantry and a collection of prepper supplies that can last and protect you for days, weeks, or even longer.
- There’s always a possibility that things may go south, but if you live in a community of preppers, you might have neighbors who you could count on. And there ain’t no shame in that.
Prepper Supplies for Bugging In
When you hear survival supplies, you immediately think of food and water. That’s cool, but here’s the thing: preparing your home for survival doesn’t mean these two things alone. For every bug in plan, you must also be prepared for emergencies with your arsenal of survival gear.
Your place won’t come out of a disaster unscathed, which is why the right set of tools and gear is important.
Here are some prepper supplies to store at home when prepping for bugging in:
Tactical Flashlight
There can be a power outage in your area, especially during or after a strong hurricane, and you’ll obviously need a tactical flashlight. Tactical lights aren’t your ordinary household flashlights: they’re sturdier, more compact, and mostly weather-proof. They’re built like tanks and can take a literal beating—two qualities you need from your bug in gear.
Navigating around the house in a blackout can be a struggle unless you can see in the dark, which we doubt you can (unless you’re Superman). So…better get your portable flashlight ready in case the electricity goes out.
Entrenching Tool
Branches, wires, your neighbor’s lawn flamingos—debris like this might be scattered around your home after a disaster.
The best equipment to clear them out of your way? An entrenching tool. A multipurpose one can do the trick if you’re looking for a survival shovel that can also cut through dirt, fallen branches, mud, or snow.
Not only is an e-tool good for digging dirt out of the way but it can also be used for sanitation purposes like digging a compost pile in your homestead. Wanna dig a fire pit? Be our guest. Plus, you can use it as a frying pan and a trap for animals when the situation calls for it. Just make sure to do that BEFORE you dig your compost pile or cat hole.
Tactical Gloves
You’d want to avoid unwanted injuries when shit goes down because who would want to drive around in the middle of a hurricane? That’s right. No one. While a first aid kit can mend some wounds, it’s still best to prevent any injuries, especially to your hands.
For full-hand protection, a pair of heavy-duty tactical gloves is what you’ll need for just about any dirty work on the ground.
Consider yourself protected from high temperatures and sharp objects when you get yourself a pair of Kevlar-lined gloves. They are durable enough for any tough job, but at the same time, don’t sacrifice comfort with their breathable material. You’d also wanna be able to call for help with ease, so choose one with smart-phone compatible fingertips.
Wallet Multitool
For quick fixes around the house, you might want to look into wallet multitools. This survival tool is so convenient to carry and very durable; it’s a great piece of gear to use for a few loose screws on doors and kitchen cabinets or when you need a can or bottle opener for the food in your prepper pantry. Trust us; you might need to pop open a few bottles of beer to get through a natural disaster.
But wait…there’s more!
A wallet multitool is also a good fit for your everyday carry (EDC) kit. Just make sure to choose one made of durable steel material, so it doesn’t let you down when you need it.
Axe
Next on our prepper supply list is an axe.
It may be one of the most ancient tools in human history, but modern preppers say everyone should have one on hand for a well-rounded set of survival gear.
Besides, hand axes were damn useful for cave dwellers during the Stone Age, so we don’t see why they won’t be as helpful for us in the modern world.
Axes are effective against hard materials like wood and metal and are a lifesaver in situations like surviving the winter. They’re perfect for chopping logs, small trees, and branches or for splitting firewood and kindling.
Survival Knife
Survival knives are the most understated prepper gear. They’re an obvious choice but are often missed. They may not be as big and flashy as an e-tool or axe, but they can do so much more than just slicing.
Your average kitchen knife is no match for these survival knives because they can assist you with your basic needs as well as other hardcore survival-related functions. Digging, splitting, fire making, signaling, and hammering? You name it, we bet a survival knife can do it.
Blade Sharpener
Most of the survival gear you have are blades, and it would be smart to keep one high-quality blade sharpener in your stash. Because what’s the use of a freakin’ dull blade? Remember: a dull knife is more likely to cause trouble than a sharp one, so keep your blades nice and honed.
Portable Stove
You might be wondering why you need a portable stove when you already have a gas stove or electric stove at home. You’ll likely run out of gas and experience sudden power outages during a disaster.
Considering these possible situations, your current stove won’t cut it, which is why we suggest you secure a portable wood-burning camp stove as one of your prepper supplies for bugging in.
With a camp stove, you won’t need any fuel because natural materials like twigs, leaves, debris, and other biomass will serve as its fuel. A camp stove is also a convenient light and heat source, perfect for colder and darker nights when power is out.
Emergency Whistle
You can never tell what’s gonna happen once a hurricane wreaks havoc on your home. Most of these natural disasters are brutal, and they often leave a trace. It’s a high possibility that you won’t have a roof over your head once the skies clear out.
With that said, we recommend you have a safety whistle with you in a survival situation. Yes, even when you’re just at home. You’re most likely gonna need help, and a whistle can be your signal for rescue. Its distinct sound will alert your neighbors and rescue personnel and will direct them to your location in no time.
Duct Tape
Duct tapes work great in sealing cracks and patching holes of all types. They’re perfect for when there are minor leaks on the ceiling or walls of your house caused by the aftermath of a storm.
Twisting duct tape also creates a rope or cord that can be used for multiple purposes in emergencies. This is why they’re on many a prepper supply list.
Extra Batteries
As mentioned, electricity is going to be a problem during a catastrophe. As a rule of thumb, every prepper must plan for at least 72 hours without power.
For your battery-powered devices such as radios and flashlights, it’s smart to store several sets of batteries for each piece of equipment and consider getting batteries with a 10-year shelf life.
Final Thoughts
Prepping and building a complete survival arsenal is on every prepper’s checklist, even when bugging in.
You must match your survival supplies with your survival tools and equipment to come fully prepared for whatever disaster there is.
What other items would you add to this prepper supply list? Let us know in the comments section!
