What’s Your Most Overlooked Prep Item?

[GarnetDusk]

Everyone talks about food, water, and knives, but I rarely see folks mention spare eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you rely on them, losing your vision in a grid-down scenario could be a real problem. What’s the one small item you think most preppers forget to pack?

 

[AquaFern1028]

Bobby pins and hair ties never get enough attention, honestly. Long hair turns into a real nuisance if you can't keep it back while working or cooking over a fire. I also keep a stash of lip balm stashed everywhere—sounds silly, but cracked lips get painful fast and can really distract you. Has anyone ever tried those compact sewing kits? Wonder if they're actually durable enough for real use.

 

[BlueSkyWanderer]

Tweezers are my personal must-have that I think get overlooked way too often. Anyone who’s ever had a splinter or a thorn stuck in deep, especially out in the woods, knows how quickly a tiny thing can turn into a painful (or even infected) mess. Forget the ones that come in most first aid kits—they're usually terrible. Paying a little more for a decent pair is totally worth it.

Also, I always stash a little tube of antibiotic ointment. Cuts and scrapes happen, and without some way to stop infection, things can get dicey fast. As for those compact sewing kits, I’ve had mixed experiences. The needles are usually fine, but the thread quality varies a lot—sometimes it breaks way too easily. I keep some dental floss in mine, works for heavy-duty stitches or makeshift repairs.