Getting ready for an emergency doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money in one shopping trip. Dollar Tree can be a convenient place to pick up affordable basics a few at a time, especially items that come in handy during severe weather, blackouts, or days when getting to the store isn’t easy.
You don’t need a closet full of supplies you’ll never use. Start with things your household already relies on, check package sizes and prices, and add a few extras when it makes sense for your budget.
First Aid Supplies
Bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, and other basic first aid supplies can come in handy for minor cuts and scrapes. Check expiration dates where applicable, replace used items, and remove any damaged or no-longer-suitable supplies from your kit.
Related: 19 Survival Items You Should Stockpile from Dollar Tree
Candles, Matches and Lighters
Candles, matches, and lighters can be useful during an emergency, though flashlights and battery-powered lanterns are safer choices for lighting a room. Store fire-starting supplies in a dry, secure place, and never leave a burning candle unattended.
Over-the-Counter Medicine
Keep pain relievers, allergy medicine, and other over-the-counter products your household regularly uses on hand before bad weather or other disruptions. Check the active ingredients, dosage instructions, and expiration dates rather than buying unfamiliar medicines just because they’re inexpensive.
Canned Protein
Canned tuna, chicken, sardines, and similar foods provide protein without needing refrigeration before opening. Choose varieties your household enjoys and keep a manual can opener nearby if the cans don’t have pull tabs.
Related: Canned Meats With a Long Shelf Life to Stock in an Emergency Pantry
Canned Vegetables
Canned corn, peas, carrots, green beans, and mixed vegetables can add variety to meals made with rice, pasta, or other pantry staples. They’re already cooked, so you can eat them without heating if you’re dealing with a prolonged blackout.
Shelf-Stable Snacks
Crackers, granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, and other ready-to-eat snacks are handy when you can’t prepare a full meal. Choose foods your household likes and rotate them into your usual snack routine before they go stale or expire.
Soap and Personal Hygiene Supplies
Bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and other everyday toiletries are easy to overlook while preparing for an emergency. Keeping a small backup supply can make a few days at home more comfortable if stores close or travel becomes difficult.
Flashlights
Having flashlights in several easy-to-reach places means you won’t have to search the house in the dark for the only one you own. Keep them in predictable spots, such as bedrooms and the kitchen, and test them periodically to check that they still work.
Batteries
Extra batteries are useful only if they’re the right sizes for your flashlights, radios, and other emergency equipment. Check your devices before shopping, then store compatible batteries together in a cool, dry place.
Garbage Bags
A roll of garbage bags can handle more than everyday household trash during an emergency. Use them to separate wet clothing, contain cleanup debris, or protect selected belongings from dirt and moisture.
Duct Tape
Duct tape can provide a temporary fix when you can’t make a proper repair right away. It may hold loose materials in place, patch certain tears, or secure a cover until you have the tools and materials for a lasting repair.
Paper Products
Toilet paper and paper towels are ordinary household items that become a nuisance to run out of when stores are closed. Keeping a reasonable backup gives you enough for everyday needs and helps with spills or cleanup when washing reusable cloths isn’t convenient.
Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil can cover food, wrap leftovers, and line certain cooking surfaces when your usual kitchen routine is disrupted. It’s inexpensive, takes up little room, and fits easily alongside other food-storage and cooking supplies.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Supplies
Sponges, scrub brushes, suitable disinfectants, and household bleach can help with cleanup after storms, blackouts, or other disruptions. Follow each product’s label, never mix bleach with other cleaning products, and replace old bleach according to its storage guidance because it loses strength over time.
