Imagine you’re going on an exciting adventure, but you’re not quite sure what to do yet. That’s totally okay! We all make mistakes and learn new things as we go.
But guess what? I’ve been on this adventure before, and I want to share what I’ve learned with you, so you can avoid some of the tricky parts. It’s like having a guide to help you on your journey!
We’ll explore this world of preparedness together, like two buddies going on an awesome quest. We’ll learn cool stuff and become experts in being prepared for anything that comes our way. So, let’s get started and have fun on this adventure of prepping!
43 Mistakes To Watch Out For
Not Budgeting For Prepping Supplies
You don’t need to buy everything all at once. Instead, you can save a little bit of money each month, like putting it in a piggy bank. Over time, all those little bits of money add up, and you can use it to buy things for your prepping stash.
It’s like building a treasure chest of helpful items that you can use later if there’s an emergency. So, let’s start saving some money and have our own prepping treasure chest!
Getting Gear, Not Knowing How to Use It
If you buy things without knowing how to use them properly, they might just sit there and not be very helpful when you need them. It’s like having a tool but not knowing how to use it to fix something.
So, before you get all those cool prepping things, take some time to learn about them and practice using them.
Prepping For 1 Event
Imagine you’re getting ready for a big race, and you train really hard for it. You practice running every day and eat healthy foods to be super fast on the race day. But then, on the day of the race, something unexpected happens, like a sudden rainstorm or a strong wind blowing.
Because you focused only on running and didn’t think about other things that could happen, you might find it difficult to deal with the rain or wind. You’d feel unprepared and vulnerable in those situations.
Prepping is a bit like that. If we only prepare for one specific thing and ignore other possible problems, we might not know what to do when those unexpected things happen. So, it’s essential to be ready for different situations and think about all the potential threats. That way, we can be prepared and keep ourselves safe no matter what comes our way!
Not Being Physically Fit
Imagine your body is like a superhero’s body, and it needs to be strong and healthy to handle all the adventures and challenges that come its way. Just like how superheroes train and eat right to stay strong, we also need to take care of our bodies.
Neglecting our health means not taking care of ourselves properly. It’s like not eating healthy foods, not getting enough sleep, or not exercising regularly. When we neglect our health, it’s like our superhero body becomes weak, and it can’t perform well.
When we are healthy and physically fit, it’s like our superhero body is at its best. We can run, jump, and face all the tough situations without feeling too tired or getting sick easily. But if we neglect our health, it’s like we become weak, and it becomes harder to deal with difficult situations or problems.
Not Preparing For Weather
If you forget to consider the impact of your local climate, it’s like going on your adventure without checking the weather forecast. For example, if it’s going to be very hot outside, you wouldn’t want to bring heavy winter clothes because you’ll feel too hot and uncomfortable. Or if it’s going to be cold and rainy, you wouldn’t want to wear shorts and sandals because you might get really cold and wet.
Picking the right gear for your adventure is important. It’s like choosing the best tools and equipment for a superhero mission. If you understand your local climate, you can select the right clothes and gear to make your adventure more enjoyable and safe.
Not Having Manual , Not Electronic Devices
Imagine you have a super cool gadget or toy that you really love to play with. It’s like your special power because it helps you do lots of things easily and makes life fun. But there’s one thing you need to remember about this gadget – it needs electricity to work, just like your toys need batteries.
Now, relying too much on this gadget means you start using it for almost everything, like how some people always use their phones or tablets for everything they do. But here’s the thing – sometimes, the electricity can go out, and that means your special gadget won’t work anymore. It’s like when the batteries in your toys run out, and you can’t play with them until you get new batteries.
And guess what? This can happen when you really need your gadget the most! Let’s say you’re in the middle of doing something important, and suddenly, the electricity goes out. Uh-oh! Now, you’re stuck because you can’t use your gadget to help you anymore.
The same thing can happen with technology. If you rely too much on it and don’t have a backup plan, like using other tools or doing things without technology, you might find yourself in a tricky situation when technology fails. It’s like when you don’t have any other toys to play with when your special gadget stops working.
Letting Food and Water go Stale
Imagine you have a secret stash of your favorite snacks and drinks hidden away in a special place in your room. You put them there to save them for later when you want a tasty treat. But here’s the thing – if you forget about them and don’t check on them regularly, they might not be so tasty anymore when you finally remember to eat or drink them.
You know how sometimes food or drinks have an expiration date? It’s like a magic date that tells you when they’re still good to eat or drink. If you keep your snacks and drinks for too long without checking, they might go bad and get spoiled. It’s like when fruits get all squishy, or milk smells funny because it’s gone sour.
So, just like how you clean and tidy up your room, it’s important to check on your secret snack stash too! Make sure to rotate the food and drinks, which means taking out the older ones and putting in fresh ones at the back. This way, you’ll always have tasty treats ready when you want them, and you won’t waste any yummy snacks or drinks by letting them spoil.
Not Knowing Self-Defence
If you overlook the importance of self-defense skills, it’s like not learning those special moves in the game. You might feel scared or unsure about what to do if something dangerous happens. But when you learn self-defense, you’ll feel more confident and better prepared to handle tough situations.
Not Being Mentally Prepared
Mental resilience is like having a special power in the game that helps you stay strong and not get too overwhelmed when things get hard. It’s like having a positive attitude and believing in yourself, even when things seem tough. Coping strategies are like tricks or techniques that you use in the game to overcome challenges. In real life, these are things you can do to help yourself feel better and think clearly when you’re feeling stressed.
Now, if you don’t develop mental resilience and coping strategies, it’s like not having that special power or those helpful tricks in the game. When you face high-stress situations, you might feel really stressed out, and it can be challenging to make good decisions.
Not Having a Bug Out Plan
Imagine you’re playing a pretend game where there’s a sudden surprise and everyone has to run and hide. But the thing is, you haven’t decided in advance where you’ll go or what you’ll do when the surprise happens. So, when the time comes, you might feel confused and not know where to run or hide.
In real life, emergencies can happen too, like natural disasters or other dangerous situations. It’s essential to have a plan for what to do and where to go in case something unexpected happens. We call this plan a “bug-out plan.”
A bug-out plan is like a special game plan for emergencies. It’s like having a map that shows you the safest places to go and what things you should bring with you. When you create a bug-out plan, you know exactly what to do and where to go when an emergency happens.
Not Preparing The Whole Family
If you’re playing a team game, it’s important to talk to your teammates and make a plan together to win. In real life, when preparing for emergencies, you need to include your family too.
It’s like being on a superhero team! When everyone knows the plan and talks about it, you can work together smoothly during tough times.
But if you don’t include them, it’s like playing without telling your teammates what to do. So, when a crisis comes, it might be confusing and hard to work together.
Including your family in the prepping process helps everyone stay safe and strong!
Forgetting Personal Hygiene
When you go on an exciting adventure or camping trip, you need to pack things to keep yourself clean and healthy, just like having your superhero gadgets ready.
Personal hygiene supplies are like your special tools to stay fresh and comfortable. Underestimating their importance means forgetting to bring them, and that can cause problems.
Without these supplies, you might feel dirty, get sick, or feel uncomfortable during your adventure.
It’s like not having soap to wash your hands after playing in the mud. But when you remember to bring them, you’ll stay healthy, happy, and ready to enjoy your awesome adventure!
Hoarding
Imagine having a big treasure chest to store all your favorite toys and treats. It’s fun to collect things you love, right? But if you keep filling the chest with too many toys and treats without knowing why, it can become messy and take up too much space in your room.
In real life, stockpiling excessive supplies means getting too many things without a clear idea of why you need them. It’s like collecting lots of stuff just because you can, but it might end up wasting your money and the space in your home. Instead, it’s better to have a plan and only get what you really need, just like picking your most special toys for the treasure chest. That way, you’ll save resources and keep your space tidy and organized!
Not Learning First Aid
Learning basic first aid techniques is like having those magic healing tricks. It’s important because accidents happen, and if you know how to help, you can be a superhero in a real emergency.
Neglecting to learn first aid means not knowing how to use those special healing powers. So, when someone gets hurt, you might feel worried and not know what to do.
But with first aid knowledge, you can be ready to help and save the day!
Canned food Overload
Our bodies need different types of foods to stay healthy and strong, just like a superhero needs a variety of powers to save the day.
Overlooking the need for a varied and balanced diet means only eating one type of food and not getting all the important nutrients our bodies need.
This can make us feel sick and not as energetic over time. So, it’s essential to eat a mix of healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins, to stay strong and super healthy! Canned food and dehydrated goods is also great if you’re stocking up for a depression era or storing with your fresh vegetables in the cellar.
Forgetting Pets
Just like how you need food and water, your pet needs them too! Forgetting to prepare means your pet might not have enough food or water during the scary times, and that can make them feel sad and not well.
So, it’s essential to have a special kit with their food, water, and other things they need, like their superhero supplies, to keep them safe and happy during emergencies!
Not Thinking about community
Having friends who are like-minded is like having a team of superhero buddies. If we don’t make friends who share our interests and ideas, it’s like missing out on an awesome team to help us when we need it.
In times of crisis, like when we face big challenges, having friends who understand and support us is super important.
They can be like our superhero sidekicks, always there to help and cheer us up. So, let’s connect with like-minded friends, just like making a superhero team, to feel stronger and have more help during tough times!
Not Preparing Documents
Digital copies of important documents are like having special files on a computer or tablet. But what if there’s no power or the devices stop working?
An emergency binder is like having a magical book with all the essential information you need. It has paper copies of important papers, like birth certificates and emergency contacts.
So, even if the power goes out, you’ll still have everything you need in the binder. It’s like being prepared with a secret treasure of information that can help you during tough times.
Create an emergency binder and be ready for anything!
Heavy Bug Out Bags
A bug-out bag is like your adventure backpack filled with important things to keep you safe during emergencies.
But if you put too many toys or things you don’t really need in it, it can become too heavy and hard to carry. Just like when your backpack is too full of toys and it’s tough to run fast.
During emergencies, we might need to move quickly, like in a game, so having a light and useful bug-out bag is super important. It’s like being a quick and nimble explorer, ready to face anything that comes our way!
Having No Skills
Survival skills are like cool tricks that help us in outdoor adventures, just like a magic show.
But if we forget to practice those skills regularly, it’s like not rehearsing the magic tricks, and we might forget how to do them. In critical moments, like when we’re camping or exploring, having those skills sharp and ready is crucial.
It’s like being a real-life magician with amazing powers to handle tough situations. By practicing these skills often, we can impress our friends and be super prepared for any exciting outdoor adventure!
Ignoring Self Care
Taking care of yourself and your feelings is like giving yourself special superpowers. When we forget to do this, it’s like not recharging our energy, and we might feel tired and not as strong.
Just like how we need to rest and eat healthy food to feel good, taking care of our mental well-being is essential too. When we’re happy and calm, we can make better choices and handle tough times like brave heroes.
It’s important to take time for ourselves, like having a superhero break, to stay strong and face any challenges that come our way!
Not Managing Money
An emergency fund is like having a secret treasure chest filled with money. When we forget to save some money for emergencies, it’s like not having that special chest, and we might feel worried when something unexpected happens.
Just like how we save our favorite toys for later, having an emergency fund helps us be prepared for tough times. If we face money problems, like when we need to fix something or buy important things, our special treasure chest can help us stay safe and strong.
Let’s save some money in our treasure chest for any surprises that come our way!
Falling For Prepper Myths
Prepping myths are like pretend stories that some people believe, like fairy tales.
But if we trust in these myths without checking if they are true, it’s like following the wrong map to find treasure. Sometimes, myths can make us believe things that are not real, and we might make wrong choices or use things that don’t help us.
By checking the facts and asking questions, we can be smart detectives and find the real truth.
This way, we won’t waste time or resources and can make better decisions, just like real-life adventurers!
Not Buying Physical Books
Getting information is like gathering clues to solve a mystery or puzzle. If we only ask one friend or look in one book, it’s like having only part of the story.
By seeking out many sources and perspectives, it’s like having more puzzle pieces to see the whole picture. Sometimes, one friend might not know everything, just like one book might not have all the answers.
But when we ask different people or check different books, we can get a better understanding and not be fooled by wrong information. It’s like being a wise detective and finding the truth!
Practicing Situational Awareness
Being aware of your surroundings means being like a superhero with super senses, knowing what’s happening around you.
If we forget to pay attention, it’s like not using our superpowers, and we might not see dangers coming. Just like how we look both ways before crossing the street, being aware helps us stay safe.
In dangerous situations, like when someone we don’t know approaches us, being alert lets us notice and react quickly. It’s like having a special shield to protect ourselves.
Not having Communication Plans
Cell phones are like our special talk-and-text gadgets that help us stay connected to friends and family.
But if we only rely on them and forget about other ways to talk, it’s like having no signal or battery when we need to call our friends to play.
Sometimes, cell phones might stop working or have no connection, just like a game that doesn’t load.
By using other communication ways like walkie-talkies or landline phones, we can always keep in touch, even if our cell phones have a problem.
It’s like having backup communication powers to stay connected and never miss a fun moment!
Not Planning For Maps
Physical maps are like special treasure maps that show us the way in the real world. If we forget about them and only use digital tools like GPS, it’s like not having our magical map when we really need it.
Sometimes, digital tools might stop working or have no signal, just like when our favorite game doesn’t load. But with a physical map, we can still find our way and explore new places, just like brave adventurers.
So, it’s cool to keep a real map with us, like having a secret superpower, to never feel lost and always find our path!
Not Thinking about Comfort
Comfort items are like special things that make us feel cozy and safe, just like our favorite stuffed animals or soft blankets.
When we forget to bring extra clothing or bedding during survival situations, it’s like leaving behind our comfort buddies.
This can make things much harder and less comfortable. Just like how we wear warm clothes in winter to stay cozy, having extra clothing and bedding helps us feel comfortable even in tough times.
So, it’s good to remember our comfort items, like bringing a little piece of home with us, to make survival situations less challenging and more comforting!
Forgetting About Water
Water is like a magical potion that keeps us strong and healthy. If we forget to find a good water source, it’s like not having our special potion, and we might feel very thirsty and weak.
Just like how we need to drink water every day, we need to plan and find a place to get water when we need it.
By having a reliable water source, we can always stay refreshed and not feel desperate for water. It’s like being a smart explorer and knowing where to find the magic potion to keep us strong and happy!
Not Thinking About Food Outside Of The Stash
Having sustainable food sources is like having a magical garden or a farm that gives us fresh food all the time.
If we forget to plan for this, it’s like not having our special food supply, and we might run out of yummy things to eat. Just like how we need to water our plants to make them grow, we need to think ahead and plan for the future.
By having a garden or raising animals for food, we can keep getting delicious and healthy food even when we can’t find it elsewhere. It’s like being a smart farmer and having food all year round!
Placing High importance On Hunting
Hunting is like being an expert adventurer, finding and catching animals for food, just like in games. But if we think we can always find lots of animals to eat and only rely on hunting, we might have a problem.
Sometimes, animals can become scarce, like when there aren’t many around. It’s like having fewer toys to play within the neighborhood.
So, it’s good to remember that hunting might not always work, and we need to have other ways to get food, like having fruits and vegetables too. This way, we won’t go hungry and will always have enough to eat!
Not conducting regular inventory checks
Think of your supplies like a treasure chest filled with your favorite snacks and toys. Just like how you check your snacks to make sure they’re still yummy, it’s important to check and update your supplies regularly.
If we forget to do this, some things might go bad or become old, just like when snacks get stale.
By checking and updating our supplies, we can make sure everything is fresh and ready when we need them.
It’s like keeping our treasure chest full of useful and valuable things, so we never waste anything and stay well-prepared!
Ignoring the importance of physical fitness for children
Just like how we play games to be strong and fast, staying physically fit means keeping our bodies strong and healthy in real life. If we forget to exercise and be active, it’s like not training to be a strong hero. During tough times, like emergencies or difficult situations, being physically fit helps us endure and adapt better. It’s like having extra energy and power to handle challenges. But if we don’t keep active, we might feel tired and not able to do things well. So, let’s play, exercise, and stay fit, like our superhero selves, to be ready for anything!
Failing to establish a network of reliable suppliers
Imagine if you only have one favorite store to buy toys, but suddenly that store runs out of all the cool toys you want. You’d feel disappointed, right?
In real life, it’s important to have different places to get what you need, just like having more than one store for toys. If you only rely on one source for supplies, like food or clothes, and that source has a problem or runs out, you might be left without the things you need. This also means being prepared for an economic collapse where suppliers may not be available at all.
But if you have different places to get supplies, you’ll always have what you need, even during tough times!
Ignoring the need for cash on hand
When you buy something, you might use your superhero gadget, like a special card, to pay for it electronically.
But what if one day the power goes out or there’s a big money problem? If you only use electronic transactions, you might not be able to buy anything because your special gadget won’t work. It’s like not having any coins or cash in your pocket to buy toys or treats.
So, it’s good to keep some real money safe too, just like how you keep your secret treasures safe. That way, you can always buy what you need, even if your gadget doesn’t work!
Not learning how to navigate without GPS
Learning traditional navigation methods is like being a clever adventurer with a magical map. It means knowing how to find your way without using GPS or electronic devices.
Imagine if you were exploring a new place, and suddenly your GPS stopped working. If you don’t know how to use traditional methods like reading a map, following landmarks, or using a compass, you might feel lost and not know where to go.
But if you learn these old-fashioned techniques, you’ll be like a wise explorer, ready to find your way no matter what happens with modern technology. It’s like having a backup superpower for your adventures!
Neglecting personal protection
Think of personal safety measures like wearing armor or a shield when playing a pretend knight or superhero.
They keep you safe from harm. In real life, it’s important to wear protective gear and use the right tools when doing certain activities.
For example, if you forget to wear a helmet while biking or use scissors instead of safety scissors for crafts, it can lead to injuries. J
ust like how superheroes protect themselves, we need to prioritize safety to avoid getting hurt unnecessarily. So, always use the right gear and tools to stay safe and have fun, just like a real-life superhero!
Overlooking the need for proper waste disposal
Proper waste management is like keeping our surroundings clean and tidy, just like we clean up our toys after playing. If we forget to do this, it’s like leaving a big mess everywhere, and that can make us sick.
In survival situations, like when we’re out camping or facing tough times, it’s crucial to take care of our waste properly. It’s like being a responsible camper and not leaving trash all around the campsite.
If we don’t do this, it can become dirty and yucky, and germs might spread, making us and others sick. So, it’s essential to clean up after ourselves and manage waste correctly to stay healthy and safe, just like a smart and caring friend would do!
Relying solely on one mode of transportation
Sometimes, we use a specific way to get around, like a bike, car, or bus. But if something happens to it, like it breaks down or there’s a big traffic jam, we might not be able to go anywhere! That’s why it’s essential to think about other ways to move around, just like having backup plans in a game.
Having alternative transportation means having a Plan B. It’s like having a friend who can give you a ride or using a different way to go, like walking or taking a different bus. This way, if something happens to our first plan, we won’t be stuck and can still go where we need to be. It’s like being ready for any adventure life throws at us!
Failing to practice self-reliance skills
Being self-reliant is like being your own superhero! It means knowing how to do important things on your own, like fixing things around the house or keeping food safe to eat. If we forget to learn these skills, it’s like not having all the tools in our superhero belt.
In challenging times, like when something breaks at home or there’s a problem with getting food, being self-reliant helps a lot. It’s like being able to solve problems and make things better by yourself. But without these skills, we might feel stuck and not know what to do, just like when a superhero loses their powers. So, it’s cool to learn self-reliance skills and be ready to handle anything, just like a true superhero!
Ignoring the importance of mental fortitude
Having mental strength and resilience means being like a tough superhero in your mind. It’s about staying strong and positive when things get really scary or tough. If we don’t realize how important this is, it’s like not having our superhero powers when we need them most.
During tough times, like in a big emergency or crisis, we might feel really scared or worried. But with mental strength, we can stay calmer and think clearly, just like a brave hero. Without it, we might panic and make bad choices, like picking the wrong path in a game. So, it’s essential to be mentally strong, like a superhero, to handle tough situations and make smart decisions!
Not considering the long-term effects of climate change
When we talk about climate change, we’re talking about the changes happening to our Earth over time. It’s like how the weather and environment around us can become different as years go by. If we forget to think about these changes, it’s like not planning for the future.
Just like when you play a game, you need to think ahead and prepare for what might happen next. So, if we overlook the long-term consequences of climate change, we might not be ready for the changes it brings. We need to think about how it could affect the things we need to survive, like clean air, water, and food. By being prepared and making sustainable choices, we can take care of our planet and ourselves for a long time, just like good superheroes do!
Neglecting to review and update your emergency plans
Imagine you have a special map to find your way around your neighborhood. But as time goes by, new roads and buildings get added, and the map becomes old and not so helpful anymore. It’s like having outdated directions to your favorite places.
In real life, emergency plans are like those special maps to keep you safe during tough times. But if you forget to update them, they might not work well when new problems or dangers come up. So, it’s essential to review and update your emergency plans regularly, just like getting fresh and accurate directions. This way, you’ll always be ready to face any new challenges and stay safe like a true superhero!
Delve deeper into the art of survival and preparedness with our comprehensive guide, where each aspect of your readiness plan is expertly unpacked. Discover essential tips, critical strategies, and must-have items to ensure you’re fully equipped for any emergency.