Top 10 Prepping Mistakes

Peter van Dijk

Prepping is a journey, not a destination. While the goal is to be ready for emergencies, mistakes can happen—especially for those new to the world of disaster preparedness. The good news? Every misstep is a chance to learn and refine your approach. Here are the top 10 prepping mistakes, clear examples of how they happen, and practical solutions to ensure you’re truly ready when it counts.

1. Focusing Only on One Type of Disaster

The Mistake:
Some preppers focus exclusively on a single scenario—like a hurricane or power outage—without considering other possibilities. This leaves them vulnerable to unexpected challenges.

Example:
A Florida family stocks up on hurricane supplies but has no plan for a sudden economic downturn or winter storm during a vacation.

Solution:
Prepare for a variety of risks. Use tools like FEMA’s hazard map or research your region’s most likely emergencies, but include broad essentials like water, food, and first aid.

2. Overlooking Water Storage

The Mistake:
Many preppers underestimate how much water they’ll need or rely solely on store-bought bottled water.

Example:
During a week-long power outage, a family realizes they don’t have enough water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

Solution:
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for two weeks. Invest in water filters or purification tablets as a backup. Rotating your stored water every six months ensures it stays fresh.

3. Ignoring Physical Fitness

The Mistake:
Focusing solely on gear and supplies while neglecting physical health and fitness.

Example:
A prepper has a 50-pound bug-out bag but struggles to carry it even a short distance.

Solution:
Incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Simple activities like walking, jogging, or weightlifting improve your stamina and strength, ensuring you’re physically capable during emergencies.

4. Stockpiling Without a Plan

The Mistake:
Buying gear and supplies without knowing how to use them or creating a strategy.

Example:
Someone buys a generator but never tests it until the power goes out—and realizes it’s missing a critical cable.

Solution:
Make a plan for using every item in your emergency kit. Test and practice with your gear regularly. Create a checklist to track expiration dates and maintain your inventory.

5. Forgetting About Mental Preparedness

The Mistake:
Overlooking the emotional and psychological impact of emergencies.

Example:
During a disaster, panic sets in because no one in the family has practiced staying calm or working together under pressure.

Solution:
Engage in mental resilience exercises like meditation or mindfulness. Conduct family drills for common scenarios, such as evacuations, to build confidence and reduce fear.

6. Failing to Rotate Supplies

The Mistake:
Letting stored food and supplies expire or deteriorate over time.

Example:
A prepper opens their pantry during a power outage only to find expired canned goods and spoiled snacks.

Solution:
Use the FIFO method (First In, First Out) for food rotation. Regularly check expiration dates and incorporate stored items into your everyday meals to keep them fresh.

7. Overpacking a Bug-Out Bag

The Mistake:
Packing too much gear in your bag, making it heavy and impractical.

Example:
Someone’s bug-out bag includes unnecessary items like full-sized kitchen gadgets, making it impossible to carry long distances.

Solution:
Focus on essentials: water, food, first aid, clothing, shelter, and a multi-tool. Keep your bag under 20% of your body weight for mobility. Regularly reassess and update its contents.

8. Not Including Personal Items

The Mistake:
Failing to tailor your supplies to your family’s unique needs.

Example:
A household forgets to include medications for chronic conditions or comfort items for children.

Solution:
Customize your preps to include prescriptions, eyeglasses, and any special dietary needs. For kids, add comfort items like toys or snacks to reduce stress during emergencies.

9. Forgetting Communication Plans

The Mistake:
Relying solely on smartphones without a backup communication method.

Example:
During a power outage, cell towers fail, and the family can’t coordinate because they never planned for an alternative.

Solution:
Establish a family communication plan with meeting points and backup methods like walkie-talkies or emergency radios. Write down important numbers and keep them in your kit.

10. Procrastinating Preps

The Mistake:
Thinking, “I’ll start prepping tomorrow,” and putting off critical preparations.

Example:
A severe winter storm hits, and someone is left scrambling at the last minute to buy supplies from empty store shelves.

Solution:
Start small and build momentum. Focus on one area—like water storage or a basic first aid kit—and expand gradually. Set monthly goals to stay on track.

Conclusion

Prepping is about progress, not perfection. By avoiding these common mistakes and learning from the examples above, you can build a comprehensive and effective plan to keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember, the key to successful preparedness is to start now—one step at a time.

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