With things heating up at home and abroad the last few years, many have turned to preparing for the worst possible scenario. Creating bunkers where there is enough food, water, and ammunition to go around can be challenging because there are so many scenarios for you to think about and prepare for.

There are, however, a few staple items you can keep in the bunker to have you and your family prepared to survive most anything. Some items are things you may already have lying around your house, while others may be what you need to purchase.

Either way, having multiples of these items will give you and your family peace of mind in case of the worst. Not only will these keep you safe from wild people, but also from wild animals. Weapons will also help you provide for your family in the case that you run out of supplies.

Guns/Ammo

You may not want to think about it, but the number one thing you will need to do for you and your family in the event of disaster is to protect yourself. Many things can be used as weapons, but the most reliable will be that of a gun. If you keep n AR15, you will want to be sure to have the proper lower receiver and other accessories with it. Also, of course, you will want to have a stockpile of ammunition for your chosen weapon.

The amount of ammunition you want to have in stock is entirely up to you. Whatever makes you feel safe and secure is what you need to plan for! However, one good prepping tip, is to simply just by 1 box of ammo every time you go to the store, so you can slowly build up a stockpile without spending all of your money at once. This tip can be applied to all other prepping items like canned food and other consumable items.

Nonperishable Foods

Food is an important thing to keep yourself and your family healthy and functioning properly! Nonperishable items can be bought a little at a time, so you do not have to go break the bank in one fail swoop. Just add a couple of extra cans to your buggy each trip and you will have a stockpile in your bunker in no time! Keeping an eye out for coupons in your local newspaper or on a phone app for your favorite store will help you to save money, too.

Nonperishable food items can last for a long time. Just keep in mind what you may need to prepare those food items, like a can opener or hot plates! A way to be sure you have everything you need is to make a list of what food items you have and what you need around to prepare them to eat.

Water

The human body cannot survive for long without water. Depending on what disaster strikes, you may not have natural access to potable water near your home and your water pump may no longer work.

You can purchase filtered water in bulk either in water bottles or gallon jugs from stores near you such as Walmart or your regular grocery store. Again, coupons can come in handy, and you can buy these items in bulk to help save money.

Water lasts virtually forever if stored properly, so you do not have to worry about expiration dates. You could have a well or spring near your bunker to help you prepare for disaster. However, if the disaster is one that wipes out the water supply or poisons it with some chemicals, you will want to have a backup option.

Versatile Clothing

The thing about disasters is that you never know when they will strike. It could be any time of year or season! Therefore, it is necessary to have clothes that are versatile and can be used for each season stored in your bunker.

The best thing would be to have a set of clothes that you can dress in for warm weather or cold. Layers are always the best option. You can get these in a thrift store or at a cheaper clothing store. This will help you save money and stock up on clothing for the entire family without putting yourself in a difficult financial situation.

When prepping for the worst, it can be tempting to spend as much money as possible to stock up on anything and everything. The secret is that you do not have to be a big spender! Thrift where you can and use what you have on hand.

First Aid Kit

Conclusion

There is a myriad of things that you could have in your bunker to prepare you for Armageddon. It is easy to get carried away or to allow yourself to feel overwhelmed with all the things you need in case of an emergency.

This list will help you to stay on track and gather the things you need the most. You can add to your supply as you go along, but you do not have to make yourself feel overwhelmed. Begin with these things and you will have yourself a well-stocked bunker in no time.

Let us imagine that you are a prepper. You have your first aid items, nonperishable foods, extra rifles, ammunition, and even a replacement upper receiver. One of the most important things to have saved as a prepper are clothes! Having the right type of clothes can make or break your potential for survival in the natural elements. What items do you need most? Look no further!

Hats

You always need to have a hat (or two) on hand. It is suggested that you have two, as you can have one to keep the sun off your face in the summer and one to help trap the heat in your body in the winter. In a very cold pinch, you could use both! These hats do not need to be any specific brand, they only have to work! In fact, some places give out baseball caps for free. They use this as a type of advertisement—it is a win-win for both of you. For the hats that will keep the heat in, you may learn how to make those or have someone you know make them for you. Crocheted or knitted wool hats are the best at trapping heat. If you pick up this skill, it would also prepare you for the possibility of needing to create your own clothes in the event of Armageddon.

Jeans/Overalls

At worst, you will be needing to create a homestead for yourself and rely on your own ability to gather food, cultivate a garden, build a shelter, and hunt. This may require you to navigate rough terrain and areas where there are plants such as poison ivy or poison oak. There could also be bugs, such as mosquitos, carrying disease. Having long jean pants and/or overalls at hand will help protect you from each of these elements and more. Excellent quality jeans or overalls, such as those made by Levi’s or Carhartt, will stand up to a lot of stress. Stock up on these and keep them in your bunker. You can put them in an airtight bag if you are worried about them getting moldy or covered in moths over an extended period.

Shoes

It would behoove you to have two or three types of shoes on hand in the event of a disaster. You want to be sure that each pair are the correct size for you. This could be difficult if you have children who are growing, but you could thrift shoes from your local rescue ministry store or the like. For the children, a pair of good tennis shoes should be enough to get them through. For you, your spouse, or other adults, there are a couple of distinct types of shoes that would help you out. A good pair of tennis shoes for daily wear. A good pair of Golashes or duck boots for when it is wet, rainy, or snowy. Also, a pair of hiking boots would serve you well if you are in an area where you may go hunting and gathering. Tennis shoes will do okay in a pinch, but hiking shoes are much better suited for the varying terrain you may encounter. You can purchase these items in thrift stores as well and save yourself some money. Or, as you buy yourself new pairs of shoes through the years, you can put your older ones in storage in the case of an emergency.

Jackets/Coats

There is a saying that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. If you keep the correct type of jackets and coats on hand, this will ring true for you in present day and during a period of Armageddon. Having a wind breaker and a rain jacket rolled into one will help lessen the amount of coats and jackets you need in your bunker. Having multiples is always a good thing in case something happens to the first jacket or coat, but you can get away with a heavy coat and a jacket/windbreaker. These will keep you warm on top of the extra layers of normal clothes you already have packed.

Emergency Blankets and Rain Ponchos

You never know when the temperature is going to drop or you are going to have to stay in a shelter that is cool and drafty. You also never know when it is going to start raining. Having a two in one poncho and blanket will be a life saver—literally. Not only will it keep you dry and from getting colder, it will also trap your body heat inside the poncho to assist in keeping your whole body warm. Choosing a brand that has been thoroughly tested will be key. Any brand can say that their poncho blanket traps the most heat in and keeps the most rain out. But those that have tested their theories with thermal image capture and used NASA grade Mylar will be the best on the market. One such product is made by Prepared4x and can be purchased on Amazon for only $20. This pack will have 4 poncho blankets! Talk about a deal that saves your wallet and you!

Conclusion There are many products on the market that could potentially help you remain safe in the case of a worldwide emergency. The best and most important items to have on hand are the simple things like layers of clothing, jackets, socks and shoes, blankets, and ponchos. Having extra of these items around for each family member will get you started strong on your propping journey. It can feel overwhelming at first, but remember, much of what you will need is already in your home. Those items that you do not already have can typically be purchased easily and cheaply. Do not fret! Even if you are new to prepping, you will be an expert in no time. If not a self-proclaimed expert, then at least prepared for anything!

Have you ever thought about whether or not your home will survive a tornado, an alien invasion, or an apocalypse? The thought of those things happening itself is terrifying enough, but did you know that there’s a way to protect yourself during these unprecedented times?

Panic rooms or safe rooms are secure rooms that are usually installed in private residences or institutions to provide safety and protection for inhabitants. You might have seen examples of panic rooms in movies or TV shows. 

A lot of famous figures have invested in panic rooms. For example, Sir Paul McCartney actually built a panic room after his friends John Lennon was assassinated, and George Harrison was stabbed multiple times during a home invasion.

Madonna is another example of a famous figure who also invested in a panic room. Her luxurious safe room has 5-inch thick steel walls, TV monitors, a phone, and supplies to last her several days.

Although panic rooms might not guarantee 100% protection from unpredictable disasters, the added security will give you peace of mind and comfort during difficult times if disasters do occur. 

Putting the zombie apocalypse and alien invasion theories aside, a panic room is an excellent investment for the future because it can provide you and your family with a safe place if needed and give your household the much-needed protection if natural disasters were to occur. So, how can you start building your safe room? Read on below to find out what the essentials for a panic room are

What to prepare before building a panic room

Now, before you start tearing down your house to make room for your panic room, you need to make sure you check these things off your list.

1. Have a designated contractor.

Do your research thoroughly and find the right contractor to help you create your dream panic room. You definitely want to check whether or not they are certified, qualified, and have the same vision as you. The last thing you want is a room you regret investing in. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions before you settle with the right contractor.

2. Have enough space, preferably underground.

Basements make perfect panic rooms because they are hidden and have reduced entries. This way, you can hide from intruders and keep your household safe from any potential danger. If you don’t have a basement, a hidden room inside your home will do.

3. Make sure the space is free of mold or water damage.

Before starting your panic room construction, repair any water damage and get rid of mold growth to ensure seamless renovation and construction. Untreated mold growth and water damage can bring more problems in the future, so it’s better to get rid of them now.

The Essentials of a Panic Room

Panic rooms in movies and TV shows often look luxurious and expensive. It can be nice to have an extensive entertainment system and endless supplies of food during a tornado, but admit it— it’s going to burn a hole in your pocket.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a proper panic room. You only need the bare essentials. In this article, we’re going to break down the top five essentials you need for a panic room.

1. Fortification

A panic room’s most vital point is its ability to protect whoever is inside. To do this, the room would require thick, soundproof walls, reduced points of entry, and an extremely strong door. There would also be no windows since having them around will increase the chances of intruders breaking in. 

Strong doors are essential to help protect you from external danger. Wooden doors might seem aesthetically pleasing, but they won’t be able to keep you safe when disaster strikes. So, it would be wise to have a steel door to keep you away from danger. 

Basements are the perfect spot for panic rooms because their walls are usually thick and made of concrete. Although concrete might look a bit rough, it’s excellent for handling heavy loads. If you’d like added protection, armored steel panels for walls will do a great job at keeping the room soundproof and secure. 

2. Power

Panic rooms are built to keep you alive for days, so power is definitely something you cannot compromise. Most luxurious safe rooms have their own self-contained power system. A self-contained power system is essential. In situations where your power might get cut off, it can be scary to be without power. With a self-contained power system, you can still survive even though power outages happen. 

The last thing you need is to be left in a pitch-black room with no means of communication, ventilation, or power. So, when it comes to power supply, you definitely don’t want to cheap out and compromise since it can affect your overall safety.

3. Ventilation

Since panic rooms have reduced entry points and no windows, ventilation can be a big problem. To solve the problem of lack of ventilation, it’s imperative that you have a vent that opens or closes for fresh air.

Ventilation is crucial. It controls indoor air quality, keeps the air clean from pollutants, and maintains comfort in a space. Since basements or panic rooms don’t have any natural ventilation, they can get stuffy and can be quite dangerous if air circulation is cut off. 

4. Plumbing

You can be holed up in your panic room for days on end. Without any plumbing, it can be uncomfortable, especially if you have more than two people in the room with you. Some high-end panic rooms have separate plumbing, but you don’t need to splurge if you don’t have the funds to do so.

A portable toilet will do the job but if you have some extra cash on hand, installing a septic tank and separate plumbing with a bathroom is preferred, comments fantastic plumber consultant Dmitri Kara. Other than that, you would also need to stock your panic room with a lot of water.

5. Supplies

Lastly, what is a panic room without any supplies? If you’re one of the lucky ones, you won’t need to stay in your panic room for more than a few hours. But what happens if you have to stay for more than a day? 

Keep in mind to keep your panic room stocked and supplied with everything you need, such as medication, canned food, water, and blankets. If you prefer to cook your own food instead of eating canned goods, you could stock up on ingredients and kitchen gadgets. Some kitchen gadgets make cooking easier and won’t take up a lot of room— so they’re perfect for storage and use for emergencies.

Be sure to check on your supplies periodically and replace them if they are expired. Also, don’t forget to stock up on your favorite books, movies, and games to keep you entertained!

Wrapping Up

Panic rooms don’t need to be fancy and luxurious. Despite popular belief, you can survive a tornado with just these essentials. So, don’t be intimidated by what you see on the media and on the Internet. If you have these five essentials down, you have a pretty solid panic room ready to protect you from any danger.