What’s Your Most Overlooked Prep Item and Why?

[AquaFern1028]

Something I rarely see mentioned is a manual can opener. So many people stockpile canned food but completely overlook having extra can openers on hand, especially non-electric ones. I always keep at least three tucked away in different places—and not the cheap ones that break after a few uses. What “little things” have you all forgotten about until it was almost too late? Would love to hear about those items you now consider must-haves in your supplies.

 

[CrimsonWren145]

Batteries—always the batteries. I thought I had enough until a power outage lasted longer than expected and suddenly all the flashlights went dim. Now I rotate my stash and add a few extra packs every time I’m at the store. Anyone else found a good way to store them so they don’t corrode over time?

 

[OrbitJazz21]

Something I rarely see mentioned is a manual can opener. So many people stockpile canned food but completely overlook having extra can openers on hand, especially non-electric ones. I always keep at least three tucked away in different places—and not the cheap ones that break after a few uses.

Totally with you on manual can openers—it's wild how many people forget that piece, AquaFern1028. I keep one in the kitchen, one in my camping gear, and a solid backup in my off-grid shed. The cheap ones are a gamble; I once had one snap right in the middle of a