What’s Your Most Overlooked Prep Item?

[AquaFern1028]

Everyone talks about food, water, and first aid, but I realized recently I’d overlooked some of the smaller, everyday items that could be a real headache in a long-term situation. For example, can openers! I had plenty of canned goods, but my only can opener was the one I used daily—what happens if it breaks? Picked up a couple of old-school manual ones at yard sales since.

Another thing is backup reading glasses. Without them, I’d be struggling big time. Little things like spare socks, sewing kits, and extra garden seeds (not just for the season, but to store year to year) have also moved up my list. I think the everyday comfort items are easy to forget until you really need them.

So, what’s the item you forgot about but now wouldn’t go without in your preps? Or, if

 

[CrimsonWren145]

Those manual can openers really are lifesavers—had one break during a power outage once and it was a real mess trying to get into cans with a pocket knife! One thing I never thought to pack until after the first big storm I went through was chapstick. Dry, cracked lips just make everything more miserable, especially in winter. Another is extra shoelaces. Sounds silly but, if you’re out walking or fixing things all day, busted laces are a real problem, and they can double as cordage in a pinch.

Also, hand-crank radios—yes,