4 Household Items That Double As Survival Gear You'll Want To Stock Up On

There are so many survival uses for ordinary items, many of which you may not have even thought of. It's going to be super important that we learn to think outside the box when it comes to survival, because depending on the situation, you may or may not have time to gather actual survival supplies.

Survival itemsPhoto byRichelleg

Here are four items that are MVPs in my prep book due to their many other uses besides the obvious:

1. Trash Bags

Trash bags have so many more survival uses than just holding garbage. You can:

• Make a water still
• Make a raincoat
• Shelter repair
• Water-proofing items
• A makeshift personal flotation device
• Make a medicine still

Bag catching waterPhoto byRichelleg

• Make small game traps
• Keeps weapons dry
• Human waste disposal
• Make a small greenhouse
• Signaling
• Concealing food/supply stashes
• First-aid
• Cordage
• Fishing traps
• Storing food

2. A non-digital watch

Besides time, you can find your way around the woods or anywhere with a watch, using it like a compass. We all know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The sun sets further to the south as summer gives way to fall and ultimately winter.

More than just timePhoto byRichelleg

All you need is a sunny day and a non-digital watch that keeps accurate time. With the hour hand toward the sun, place the watch on the ground. South is midway between the hour hand and 12 o'clock clockwise at sunrise and halfway between the two counterclockwise in the afternoon.

3. Eyeglasses

Most people who routinely wear glasses keep an extra pair or four on hand. Besides reading, glasses can be used for:

• Starting a fire- using the lenses and the sun to make a focus fire
• Eye protection: This one is obvious
• Signaling for help: Using the lenses to flash at someone to get their attention
• Make a compass: Take a small piece of metal frame from your glasses and rub it in one direction against a wool shirt or your hair to magnetize it, then set it to float on perfectly calm water. The end that is magnetized will face north.

GlassesPhoto byRichelleg

• Catch fish: The metal frame can be sharpened into small hooks and the plastic nose protectors little lures. If you have plastic frames, file a small piece sharp on both ends and tie a string in the middle. Add a worm and wait for a fish to swallow the whole thing.

4. Chapstick

This popular lip balm has more uses than moisturizing lips. You can also use it for:

• Lubing your tools
• First-aid
• Fire starter
• Keeping the glare out of your eyes
• Emergency sunscreen
• Small wound care
• Protect metal things from rust
• Insect bite de-stinger
• Water-proofing
• Keep friction down on hands/feet
• Blister protection

lip balmPhoto byRichelleg

There you have it! These are four everyday items that you should stockpile in your preppers pantry that are multi-use and fit well in a bug-out bag. These items can help you survive on the road or at home.

Citations:

10 Household Items that Can Double as Survival Gear. (n.d.). Mossy Oak. https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/10-household-items-that-can-double-as-survival-gear#:~:text=Hygiene%20items%2C%20such%20as%20condoms,nosebleeds%E2%80%94and%20even%20filter%20water.Emergency Water Source with Trash Bags. (2024, February 24). The Rike. https://therike.com/blogs/survival-skills/four-common-items-you-can-utilize-for-survival