[Bolster]

IF there's time for a run to one store (grocery store? big box store?) before an event (and often there is), what would you put on your list? I would like to have a list stashed so I'm not blundering through the store just grabbing random stuff.

Try to keep your list to the top 6 things you'd buy at the last minute. Obviously this is determined by what you already stock. My last-minute list would be for the grocery store. (Mostly duplicates many preps I already stock, but would want these as fresh as possible.) So far it would include:

Water (Can never have enough) or possibly CokeZero (my fave)
AA Batteries (to get the freshest possible)
Bleach (would want the freshest bottle possible)
Bread
Ice (to turn powerless fridge into icebox)
Peanut Butter (fresher is better)

...but I'm suspicious I'm overlooking more important items, here. Obviously my preps are such that no last-minute shopping is necessary, but neither does one want to pass up the last opportunity.

If your one stop would NOT be a grocery store, please explain. Given the nature of this list, I'll assume everyone's already stocked up on ammo. "Even if I had the opportunity, I would not go to a store" is also a valid answer. If that's your answer, please explain.

[cowboy1964]

Fresh Bleach?

If your preps are in good shape you really don't NEED to hit the grocery store. Ice maybe.

[Bolster]

Right, I agree. Assume you are already prepped, but the opportunity offers itself and you can make one last visit to a store, what additional stock would you pick up? Maybe just duplicates, or fresh items with a short shelf life.

Think of this exercise like Christmas shopping. No matter how well you prepare for it, there's always something you need to get the day before. What would your list be?

It's good to think this stuff through, BEFORE the event occurs.

[Stevekozak]

Does bleach go bad?

[Commander_Zero]

Depends on which store. Grocery store? WalMart? Cenex? Cabela's?

[Bolster]

Yes, bleach has a reasonably short shelf life (often given at 3-12 mo if it didn't get hot or cold), and if you'd need to be treating water with it, you'd want a fresh bottle.

[Bolster]

Originally Posted by Commander_Zero

Depends on which store. Grocery store? WalMart? Cenex? Cabela's?

You decide. You get to go to one store. This is part of the exercise. Where would you go? What would you get? Six items. Hurry, the storm/aliens/zombies/radiation/drought is coming.

[JimIsland]

Water, Corona, Gentleman Jack, Vodka, Zing Zang, Coke.........sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I've got MORE than enough of everything else.

[Stevekozak]

Originally Posted by Bolster

Yes, bleach has a reasonably short shelf life (often given at 9-12 mo if it didn't get hot or cold), and if you'd need to be treating water with it, you'd want a fresh bottle.

I did not know that. What happens to it. Does breakdown, lose potency or what?

[Bolster]

Originally Posted by Stevekozak

I did not know that. What happens to it. Does breakdown, lose potency or what?

Yes, breaks down into salt and water. Potency is lost over a curve, not all at once of course, but some sources say "full potency" starts to degrade at only 3 months.

That's why bleach treatment of water always includes the sniff test. If it doesn't smell like chlorine after you treated it...your bleach may be old and you'd need to use more.

So .......................................... 46 views so far, and only one list submitted of "buy mostly alcohol"? If you disagree with my list, submit one of your own!

[Vincine]

A selection of greeting cards for all occasions, pineapple corer, turkey baster, make up remover, and dental floss.

[Carry16]

Didn't specify how bad/long an event I'm anticipating, but in general I would think:
1) throw away batteries
2) gasoline - top off cans/vehicle
3) bread products
4) milk
5) fresh veggies
6) ??

[DaveG]

I'd top off the vehicles and gas cans with gas for sure.

[RED64CJ5]

Batteries
Chocolate
Soft drinks
T-P (even though we have a lifetime supply)

[Paul53]

Hot sauce and toilet paper. Never one without the other.

[Bolster]

Good replies, gasoline and chocolate, definitely!

It's actually looking like a 7-eleven or circle K or Kangaroo or AM PM or whatever might be one of the better "last stops" to make because they'd have the gasoline, ice, chocolate, bread, batteries, milk, and water all in one spot. Maybe even bleach? You'd pay top price but in an emergency who cares.

What's the deal with last minute stocking of TP? It wasn't even commercially available until the 1850s. The Romans used a sponge on a stick, and then placed it into a bucket of seawater. Good enough for me.

[Lone Kimono]

I was at a K-Mart in the Keys before Andrew came through. Buy anything you can without getting into a fist fight for it.

1. Water
2. Food
3. Ammo
4. Salt
5. TP
6. Any Camping stuff left

If there were a 7 it would be batteries.

[thesurefire]

Good topic.

For those that said bleach, look into pool shock, its stores forever, is cheap, and can make literally hundreds of gallons of bleach from bag.

It really depends on the event. For example power loss in the summer, Ice is number 1, in winter, its not even on the top 100 list since I can just put stuff outside. In general:

1. Gas
2. Batteries
3. Toilet paper/baby wipes/disinfectant wipes
4. Chocolate
5. Coffee
6. Hard liquor

Spices also wouldn't be a bad idea. It'd be pretty hard to grow the ones that are imported from around the world.

[kirgi08]

By them whole and grind as needed.'08.

[ChuteTheMall]

Well, if you are already stocked up properly on the staples, then the last minute store run would be for your last fresh food for awhile. Bugging out or in matters regarding portability.

Here are some fresh items you might want to grab just before the stores close and the grid shuts down and etc:

Milk
Bread
Meat
Veggies
Fruit
Cheese
Yogurt
Bucket of fried chicken
Ice if you can't produce it fast enough.
Fresh anchovies

[random southpaw]

Originally Posted by Stevekozak

Does bleach go bad?

Yep! Liquid bleach can and does go bad.

That is why a lot of preppers prefer "pool shock," which comes in solid form. It stores and lasts way better. Then, you have a reliable means of making suspect water safe to drink.

Just be sure you know how much to use for a given quantity of water.

[M1A Shooter]

id go for AA batteries, gas, propane tanks, assorted little debbie snacks, cigarettes and beer.

ive got most everything else. even have most of my list but just not as much as i'd like.

for those stocking bleach, look into powdered Calcium Hypochlorite. can be found as Pool Shock, but stay away from those with anything extra in it. if stored airtight and dry, will last almost indefinitely and can easily be made into liquid bleach and used as normal as needed.

[random southpaw]

My family already has a stash to get through most weather type event situations. And, if bad times persisted for a while ( remember, it took about 3 weeks for help to reach New Orleans), we can handle that as well.

As for what we would get--simply because we are prepared--we might get some comfort food type items, make sure we have enough good books to last for a while, and batten down the hatches.

Ready.gov has been telling everybody that we all need to have at least 3 days of food, water, etc. to handle any kind of emergency--and that should always be on hand--like right now.

Personally, after observing the less than stellar performance of our disaster response when something happens in the USA, I think that the 3 day suggested stash of supplies should be multiplied by a factor of at least ten. Do not stop prepping, until your family has a solid 30 day supply of essentials for every member of your family. Oh, and don't forget to plan for more due to the irresponsible friends and family who will come looking for you because they know you plan for these things--and they do not. Nice reward isn't it?

[Bolster]

(removed...I was off topic -- had questions about calcium hypochlorite -- found answers here with a search.)

[bdcochran]

Would go to costco:
1. gasoline
2. batteries
3. filled propane tanks
4. jerky
5. fresh fruit/vegetables
6. canned soup