$5000 CAD Household Preparion Kit
Posted by worldalpha_com@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 28 comments
So, I realize that there may be varying opinions on this, but interested to see the discussion. I'm trying to put together a household kit that would help in my situation. Southern Ontario, Canada where it can get -10C or more in winters. This kit is everything but food, and certain personal items. I'm trying to get it to around $5000 CAD. Appreciate your thoughts on both what I've included, as well as the pricing. Again, it is Canadian not USD pricing, so might look higher if you are from US. Current exchange is around $1.37.
| System | Item | Qty | Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water & Air | 18.9L Water Cooler Bottles | 12 | $13.00 | $156.00 |
| Water Bottle Rack | 2 | $42.99 | $85.98 | |
| Water Dispenser | 1 | $16.86 | $16.86 | |
| WaterBob | 1 | $70.99 | $70.99 | |
| SURVIVOR FILTER™ PRO Hydration Extender Kit | 1 | $140.00 | $140.00 | |
| Survivor Filter PRO Carbon Filter Replacement, Compatible with Electric PRO X | 2 | $25.00 | $50.00 | |
| Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets 334 mg Canadian 30-Pack for 20L | 1 | $19.90 | $19.90 | |
| Original Concentrated Bleach | 1 | $8.99 | $8.99 | |
| (Food &) Cooking | Small 800W Electric Kettle | 1 | $39.99 | $39.99 |
| Small 700W Microwave | 1 | $96.99 | $96.99 | |
| Propane Camping Stove | 1 | $69.99 | $69.99 | |
| Coleman High-Pressure Propane Gas Hose and Adapter | 1 | $22.59 | $22.59 | |
| Rocket Stove | 1 | $88.69 | $88.69 | |
| Cast Iron Dutch Oven & Skillet Set | 1 | $59.99 | $59.99 | |
| Manual Can Opener | 2 | $3.00 | $6.00 | |
| Mylar Bags & Oxygen Absorbers | 1 | $68.92 | $68.92 | |
| Shelter & Maintenance | Propane Heater | 1 | $149.00 | $149.00 |
| Propane Hose with Regulator | 1 | $99.00 | $99.00 | |
| Firebricks x 6pack | 1 | $37.99 | $37.99 | |
| Window insulation film kits | 1 | $32.99 | $32.99 | |
| Door draft blockers | 1 | $21.99 | $21.99 | |
| Sleeping Bags | 2 | $131.62 | $263.24 | |
| Sleeping Pad | 2 | $80.18 | $160.36 | |
| Electric Heating Blanket | 1 | $59.99 | $59.99 | |
| Emergency Blankets x 10pack | 1 | $10.38 | $10.38 | |
| Hand Warmers x40 pack | 1 | $26.99 | $26.99 | |
| Heavy Duty Tarp | 1 | $48.99 | $48.99 | |
| Duct Tape | 2 | $8.79 | $17.58 | |
| Paracord | 1 | $11.89 | $11.89 | |
| Multi tool | 1 | $62.97 | $62.97 | |
| Power & Fuel | Power Station 1000W & Solar Panel 200W | 1 | $1,029.00 | $1,029.00 |
| 12V DC Car Charger for Power Station | 1 | $49.00 | $49.00 | |
| Power Bank | 1 | $49.99 | $49.99 | |
| Lantern (3 Ds, or 3 AA Batteries) | 2 | $32.99 | $65.98 | |
| Headlamp x2 (AAA Batteries) | 1 | $20.55 | $20.55 | |
| 20LB Propane Tanks | 5 | $54.98 | $274.90 | |
| Propane Tank Safety Gauge | 1 | $25.99 | $25.99 | |
| Gas Cans | 2 | $27.99 | $55.98 | |
| Fuel Stabilizer | 1 | $6.99 | $6.99 | |
| Matches | 2 | $1.50 | $3.00 | |
| Waterproof Matches | 1 | $5.49 | $5.49 | |
| Rechargeable Batteries - AAA | 1 | $17.95 | $17.95 | |
| Rechargeable Batteries - AA | 1 | $21.99 | $21.99 | |
| Battery Recharger - AAA / AA | 1 | $18.99 | $18.99 | |
| 8 AA Lithium Batteries | 1 | $18.97 | $18.97 | |
| 8 AAA Lithium Batteries | 1 | $20.47 | $20.47 | |
| Medical & Mental Health | Advanced First Aid Kit | 1 | $57.69 | $57.69 |
| Dental emergency kit | 1 | $9.95 | $9.95 | |
| Nitrile Gloves | 1 | $12.78 | $12.78 | |
| Tylenol | 1 | $15.99 | $15.99 | |
| Advil | 1 | $16.99 | $16.99 | |
| Reactine | 1 | $23.00 | $23.00 | |
| Imodium | 1 | $27.49 | $27.49 | |
| Pepto-Bismol | 1 | $17.49 | $17.49 | |
| Polysporin | 1 | $16.49 | $16.49 | |
| Oral Rehydration Salts | 1 | $11.49 | $11.49 | |
| N95 x 10 | 1 | $31.98 | $31.98 | |
| Hygiene & Sanitation | Camp Toilet | 1 | $20.99 | $20.99 |
| Waste Toilet Bags & Gels | 1 | $49.99 | $49.99 | |
| 55L Barrels | 2 | $97.00 | $194.00 | |
| Laundry Sheets | 2 | $16.99 | $33.98 | |
| Hand Sanitizer | 2 | $11.49 | $22.98 | |
| Toilet Paper | 2 | $26.99 | $53.98 | |
| Heavy Duty Black Contractor Bags. | 1 | $35.99 | $35.99 | |
| Body Wipes | 1 | $24.98 | $24.98 | |
| Security & Safety | "Propane/Explosive Gas" & CO Detector. | 1 | $54.99 | $54.99 |
| Fire Alarm | 1 | $13.99 | $13.99 | |
| Door Jammer | 1 | $27.99 | $27.99 | |
| Fire Extinguisher | 1 | $74.99 | $74.99 | |
| Work Gloves | 1 | $24.80 | $24.80 | |
| Mobility & Communication | Walkie-talkie (pair) | 1 | $49.99 | $49.99 |
| Compass | 1 | $19.99 | $19.99 | |
| Ontario Map | 1 | $6.95 | $6.95 | |
| BOBs Includes NOAA Radio | 1 | $284.99 | $284.99 | |
| Faraday Bag | 1 | $14.99 | $14.99 | |
| Readiness USB | 1 | $37.99 | $37.99 | |
| Community & Resources | Ziplocs for Documentation | 1 | $6.99 | $6.99 |
| Guidebook | 1 | $20.00 | $20.00 | |
| 102L Bins | 6 | $11.97 | $71.82 | |
| Total | $5,079.18 |
infospongue@reddit
Judging your list, you may like this item:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Anker+SOLIX&crid=2F1S12OZRPR7P&sprefix=anker+solix%2Caps%2C594
infospongue@reddit
I also would add food to the list.
Some stuff you may only use during an emergency. And those things are indeed extra cost.
I think "rotation" is a keyword here. Meds, food and batteries have a shelf life.
Pick food with a good shelf life and you like.
Then start buying in bulk and discount.
For your regular cooking you use the oldest items from your storage. What you use, you replace with a new item.
That way your stuff never expires. And that in the long run saves you money.
You can also consider a stovetop pressure cooker. It uses less fuel, and can even be used on a wood fire. You need an alternative when there's no power.
David_C5@reddit
I would make sure your solar panel is rigid frame and glass backing. Don't ever get flexible/foldable ones. They will die in 5-7 years. Plus they are less efficient. Rigid frame protects them and glass is best for transmission(also protects them as well). There is a compromise making them so flexible and light.
NiMH batteries are best for most people. Most people don't maintain them and just store them, and they eventually drain very low. The Lithium ones will get damaged when going very low and may become useless. I would avoid Duracell for Alkaline as they leak and damage your electronics.
Water kettles are most efficient electrical way of heating water. I would insulate them somehow. Glass is already a pretty good insulator but more insulation is better. You can tell they are efficient as they heat the water directly and the glass doesn't heat up much. You can make it better though.
Get a proper gask mask over N95. If it's anything serious then N95 won't help much.
Radtoo@reddit
I'd definitely take my lipo battery lantern/headlamp/clip on lamps over pure AA/AAA. Runtime in weeks/months on low settings, much easier to recharge than NiMh (or much less common, rechaging alkaline) on solar power. There are quite a few models that can take AA/AAA batteries too but I wonder if that will ever be useful to me vs just the lipo round cells that also can be swapped out and just have a lot more power stored and again, are easier to charge.
200w solar panel? IDK, I'd get a lot more than that. Usually the ~400W panels that are installed on rooftops are pretty cheap per watt, 2-4 of them could be a good idea, or at least something like 400-600Wp in smaller flexible or rigid panels.
Having some LoRa radios and some regular radios (depending on whether you need a license for the latter, earlier is license free almost everywhere) might be good.
Also Swiss Army Knifes, saw, pry bar, axe.
I'd probably add more tarp and larger wool blankets.
David_C5@reddit
I would never get folding/flexible panels. They are for camping not any long term. They will die in 5-7 years and have less efficiency. You need glass backed panels with rigid frames.
The advantages of the AA/AAA and alkaline/nimh over LiPo is that most people leave their flashlights and batteries stored and eventually they drain to very low power. That will kill most LiPo devices. The NIMH batteries in the long term can easily be charged back up.
ContestNo2060@reddit
This seems reasonable. I bought one 200W solar panel and decided to add on another because it seemed like 200W would not produce much, especially in the winter.
Also, for the concentrated bleach, I’d get it in powder form because it will last longer on the shelf if you’re considering a liquid. Pool Shock (unscented) seems to be the go to.
David_C5@reddit
Buy a solar panel with a proper rigid frame and glass backing, not flexible/portable ones. The flexible/portable ones will die in 5-7 years. Seen few happen. Plus they are less efficient in real use at the same size.
Lancifer1979@reddit
Where can you get that?
ContestNo2060@reddit
I purchased mine on Amazon, but it can be picked up from pool supply stores. There may be other brands besides Pool Shock, but that’s the most popular brand. Many preparedness guides specifically look for 68% calcium hypochlorite granules.
worldalpha_com@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the tips.
Background-King9787@reddit
Are you storing 30 of those giant water cooler bottles? That seems a bit much to me in Ontario. We have water. Unless you are very worried about contamination
worldalpha_com@reddit (OP)
Hmm. It says 12 water coolers, but 30 Aquatabs to use when stored water is used up.
Background-King9787@reddit
Ooops, sorry bad job of reading the spreadsheet on my phone!
musicman2494@reddit
Which power station/solar panel did you land on?
dancing-on-my-own@reddit
A tent might be a good addition. I’m very cold weather, it creates a smaller “room” inside your house, that’s easier to warm up. Though the tarp could also serve that purpose when put over a table or something.
iambecomesoil@reddit
What is the $9.95 dental emergency kit? Seems cheap.
worldalpha_com@reddit (OP)
It is. About as basic as you can get. https://wildmedkits.ca/products/dental-emergency-kit
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Combo air compressor jump pack. A towel. A blanket for worse. 12 pack of military mres. Fill your tub. Basicly free. Your car is a charger.
MegWhitCDN@reddit
For me I made the decision to not use a power station and get a generator instead as it was better in every way.
In Canada we have a thing called a generator link it goes on your power meter and you can plug in a generator and run whatever you want depending on load. We love ours cause we can choose what to run rather than being limited select items on a generator panel. We can choose to turn off the hot water and run the oven for example. I think we have a 40 amp generator link (3,500 installed a few years ago) and 11,000 watt generator (1000 from Costco also a few years ago) now i can heat my house, cook, Run the well pump hot water heater ect just not all at the same time.
Depending on if you have a well and septic with a $5000 budget this might be a good place to start. For use we know there are limited events when we would not be able to use our well water as long as we can power the pump. after our last 4 day power outage and realizing just how much water it took to flush the Toilets this is the comfort level of prep I want and know will work for us in most cases.
SatansMoisture@reddit
I'll see if I can find the make and model, but the store I work at has a portable water kettle that has a wattage that's lower than 800w. I was considering buying it but it's like $75 cad
-Thizza-@reddit
Why would you want one of those? They're terribly inefficient. I'm on single phase induction using 3.5kW for my kettle but a two phase 7kW would be even more efficient.
SatansMoisture@reddit
That could be. I've never used one before.
BibliotecaAlejandria@reddit
To power it with the portable power banks
worldalpha_com@reddit (OP)
Yeah, that would be helpful.
shesaysImdone@reddit
I was over here getting excited that I could use my 3d printer for prepping by printing CAD models
worldalpha_com@reddit (OP)
Sorry to disappoint. I'll have to keep the Canadian dollars to myself.
Eredani@reddit
Pretty good list actually.
worldalpha_com@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Appreciate the input.