This post is by Bernie Carr, apartmentprepper.com
Although we have a lot of discussions about family preparedness, we also have many Apartment Prepper readers who are couples with no kids. Here are 10 easy ideas to prepare for disasters when you are a couple.
1. Make a joint decision to prepare. If you are in a relationship, there is a chance that your partner is not on board with preparing, which may make it difficult for you. I know a few of those personally – are some tips if your spouse feels that prepping means your are being paranoid
However, the un-supportive partner may feel differently if you show practical reasons such as preparing for a hurricane or you are concerned about job loss. You’ll also want to decide where to store your supplies ahead of time.
If you have to, you may have to use your own funds instead of the joint funds for the preparedness budget. Now that we’ve gotten this out of the way, we can get started.
2. Get your water supply started. Buy two 5-gallon containers or bottled water – these are carried at grocery stores, discount and home stores. Now you have 10 gallons of water for the two of you, enough for five days. The following week, pick up another two 5-gallon containers, and you will be covered for 10 days.
By the third week, find a good water filtration system such as the Berkey, or Katadyn so you can filter water from other sources in an emergency.
3. Start buying shelf stable foods that both of you like to eat. Initially, pick up canned foods, instant noodles, cereal, crackers, peanut butter etc. The key is buying only foods that you both like. Start with a week’s worth, then build up to a month.
The following week, purchase a backup cooking method such as a propane stove, rocket stove.
4. First Aid: If you don’t already have one, buy a prepackaged starter first aid kit – Costco and Sam’s have a good sized one for $20 or so. Add a month or two supply of your personal prescriptions such as birth control pills, blood pressure meds, asthma inhalers, allergy medicines etc. Pack extra pairs of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses.
5. For hygiene supplies, stock up on toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toiletries, large trash bags, paper plates and cups. Buy enough for two people to last two weeks then build up to a month.
6. For communication, have a backup list of contacts for both you and your spouse. Make sure your phones are always charged. For news when the power is out, have a battery operated or crank radio. It is also good to have a solar charger for small electronics.
Backup your important documents. Build a grab and go binder as soon as possible.
Make an emergency plan on how your would contact each other in the event of an emergency. There is always a chance an emergency will happen in the middle of the day when you are both at work. Plan alternate routes home from your work sites in case of a traffic standstill.
7. For lighting, pick up flashlights and batteries, extra matches, tap lights and/or a camp lantern. Emergency lighting can be found inexpensively, if you prepared ahead of time
8. Hide cash for emergencies in a spot that both of you know about. You never know when a bank glitch may keep you from accessing your accounts.
9. Don’t forget about pets. Build a pet emergency kit – set aside extra water, food and any pet supplies.
10. Discuss the idea of safety and defense with your partner. Unless you discuss it beforehand, there may be disagreements – Explore various options such as stun guns, tasers, pepper spray and firearms.
These are just ideas to get started with disaster preparedness- you can do them in any order, then build from there.
© Apartment Prepper 2014
For more fast and easy tips to become more prepared, read my book:
Get the real deal. Whether bugging out or sheltering in place, you can never have enough clean water for survival: For your water purifier needs, please visit:
Thanks for blogging about prepping for couples, not everyone has or wants children. Really appreciate that your blog covers helpful information for people with a variety of living, financial, and family situations.
Hi Sarah, Glad you like the article. I appreciate the kind words. Thanks for the comment!
Actually we need to consider barter items too. After the war in Europe flint stones for cigarette lighters were the de-facto currency in the absence of real money in many areas. Since these types of lighters are out of fashion you still need to think of small items, everyone might be ready to trade with you for, e.g. a neighbor who has hens might give you eggs for a box of matches etc. I usually use things like one or two-pound bags of sugar etc. as these are stuff unprepared people just don’t stock whereas they might be willing to later (SHTF) trade them for batteries, light bulbs, a gallon of gasoline etc.