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

 

[MarigoldBreeze]

Funny you mention batteries—I had a whole bunch go bad in the back of a drawer because I left them in the packaging and forgot about them for years. Now I keep mine in a little organizer box in the hall closet, out of their original packages, with a silica gel packet tossed in to keep moisture down. It really does help cut down on corrosion. Has anyone tried those battery testers to see if they actually work or just collect dust?