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40 Good Things To Buy And Be Safe Rather Than Sorry, As Shared By People In This Online Thread
How many times have you found yourself in a situation where you wished you didn’t skimp on something or wished you knew better and prepared in advance? Probably a lot. The famous quote goes, “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” However, let’s not confuse owning too much stuff and hoarding possessions at a storage unit with keeping certain items “just in case.” Do you really think you’ll need all those leftover cables and old chargers with ports that don’t fit any of the electronics you own? You probably don’t.
For certain life situations and emergencies of all sorts, some things are better held close at hand or somewhere nearby. Keeping emergency items, whether at home or in your car, is a good practice. However, aside from the obvious, such as the first-aid kit, self-defense tools, or flashlight, there are quite a few useful buys and good things to have in your car, home, or purse that one should always have. To explore the options of good things to buy and the best items to have in an emergency, we looked at this thread on AskReddit, which asked fellow community members, “What is your best example of ‘buy it before you need it’?” In the comments section, Redditors left an overwhelming amount of items they prefer to own in case of an unforeseen situation. To optimize the thread and make it more useful, we’ve selected the most upvoted answers to compile a list of things to have just in case.
Below, you’ll find the most popular ‘just in case’ items that Redditors recommend buying and owning to be safe rather than sorry. Do you agree with Redditors’ selections? If you do, give those entries you agree with an upvote. Also, are there any good things to buy and keep close at hand just in case that haven’t been mentioned? If so, share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.
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"Carbon monoxide detector."
WorshipNickOfferman said: "Lawyer here. Had a case a few years ago where the roommate came home drunk and left her car running in the garage. A running engine filled the house with CO and killed her and her roommate. House had a design flaw where the garage was connected to the HVAC system. House did not have dual-band smoke detectors. We caught the landlord swapping out the smoke detectors the week after the tenants died. Really sad case."
Here's an actual Alabama Public Service Announcement: Do not fire up your BBQ in the middle of your Mobile Home Living Room for heat. Thank You, Alabama Fire Department.
"Dashcam can easily prove you innocent in an auto collision - some insurance even offers discounted rates if the insured vehicle has a dash cam. I personally recommend a front and rear cam setup."
"Physical therapist here. Single-story home. Buy a house you can age into. Can’t tell you how many times I see older people hospitalized that can’t safely return home. Whether they have their bedroom upstairs, multiple stairs to get in, or whatever else they just don’t think ahead.
Yeah, it’s really cool when you can afford your dream home when you’re in your mid 50’s. But once 20 years pass and you break a leg or are down with pneumonia or something for a few days you’re going to struggle to get around like you once did."
Think about changing or or adding infrastructure for aging before you need it. My Dad swapped out all the door knobs for handles when he saw how my grandma struggled with arthritis. I wish they would have put in a walk-in shower with grab bars before he starts needing surgeries etc.
"Spare keys - for your car and house."
I keep a spare car key in my purse, and another in my apartment. The spare house keys are in the apartment but security can let me in.
"Fire extinguisher."
likethefish33 comments: "The only annoying this is they expire. Usually, before you need them!"
BeefInspector replied: "Just schedule your fires to happen a few days before the extinguisher expires, that way you never waste one."
"Leatherman multitool I have used every single one of the tools that are on it many many times over again. I also use it at least once a day usually 5-6 times a day. It is invaluable and if I should ever lose it or it breaks beyond its 25-year warranty then I would buy a new one that very day. Maybe it's just my lifestyle but I consider it to be more important than my mobile phone."
This. Every last one of my office colleagues has mocked me for having a Leatherman tool in my handbag. Right up until the day they need my help and the trusty Leatherman is what I use to assist them. They mysteriously shut right up at that point - noooo idea why.
"It might sound a bit morbid, but… an outfit you can wear to a funeral hung in the closet with a hose/tie, etc.
There’s nothing worse than going shopping for such an outfit while grieving. Think of it as giving your future self a hug and saying, 'Here, I’ll take care of this for you.'"
"Toilet plunger."
MasuMora comments: "Back in college my roommate lent his plunger to the girls next door. It was more than an hour later till they came back with a brand new plunger. We asked what happened and she said they broke the plunger. We were surprised at the idea of breaking a plunger but we happily took the new plunger they bought for us.
They also told us that the cashier was very confused when they were at checkout with 2 plungers."
"Bought a bunch of bags of road salt from Walmart recently. Only 97 cents per bag.
My girlfriend asked why, it's not even cold out, and I just said these same bags will be probably 3 bucks a pop when it's storming."
"Car emergency kit. Jumper cables, fix a flat, spare tire, Jack, basic first aid kit, road reflectors.
A fire extinguisher is a good idea to add, as well as the rechargeable 'jump-start yourself' pack. And a plug kit vs fix-a-flat is a good idea. I've never done a plug, so I'd have to catch up there myself. Air compressor for refilling the tire also. Some food/heat if you live somewhere where it could logically be a problem. A box of protein bars and some way to make a fire, blankets, etc. I'm never that far off the beaten path that it would be an issue for me, but for anyone who is, it makes sense.
And, damn, how many people have had dads who used jumper cables as a belt?"
"My wife is a nurse and comes from a family of preppers. In 2018 she bought a whole lot of N95 masks for 'just in case.'"
"A case of bottled drinking water."
Kyanche comments: "I get those 5-gallon bottles delivered. After a couple of earthquakes scared me, I asked them to just bring 4 extra bottles. So now instead of having 2 in my kitchen, I've got 6. That way I always have at least a couple of weeks of extra water on hand, but we regularly cycle through it."
Or you know, just refill a few 2 litre coke bottles from the tap and keep them instead. You can even empty them on a regular basis (using the water on your garden) and refill. Costs a hundredth as much. If you really want a lot of water on hand, then get a proper water tank. You can buy a 100 litre one for less than a hundred bucks and either fill it with a hose or rain water.
"Flashlight for when the power goes out."
EmeraldMoose12 replied: "And candles."
"A case for your phone."
"Insurance."
Inle-rah replied: "That’s exactly what I was thinking. Auto liability insurance, homeowners insurance, hell I even have gap insurance."
Please buy Life insurance with Disability coverage. I had vehicle insurance with disability coverage but because I was not hit by a car, insurance company did not pay out. They used a loophole. Get some kind of life insurance that has a disability. Read what it covers and keep up the payments. The government WILL NOT be there for you. If something happens to you. I'm learning this the hard way.
"Canned soup, because it’s good. I would say cause of hurricanes and disasters but it’s just good."
Canned soup is only good if your palate is used to processed foods. If it isn't, canned soup tastes like salt, sugar, and sadness. I tried to save myself some time after dental surgery by buying canned soup. It was bloody awful. Bought the high end stuff too. Still awful.
"Cold/flu medicine. Not fun stumbling to the drugstore when you feel like death."
"Batteries."
Diligent_Jury_9956 replied: "Yes! I always find myself running out if batteries and end up can't go to the store."
I have a box full of different sizes. Also different size light bulbs.
"Backup means of heating and cooking that don't require electricity.
I live in Texas. Not going through that again."
You wouldn't have gone through it at all if the politicians in your state gave a shît about you and maintained the infrastructure.
"Ice scraper. Do you know how long it takes a window to defrost on a car that just started? A lot longer than it should."
"Put a bag of kitty litter in your trunk now before it starts snowing and freezing."
"Epi-pen."
notthesedays comments: "Pharmacist here. One of the most obscene things about the recent price-gouging is that this is an item that people purchase because they hope they never need it."
hjonsey comments: "I was in the hospital last month and they gave me a med I was anaphylactic allergic to. It was the first time needing an Epi-pen. I have always kept them on me but never needed them. I was scared but the relief to be able to breathe again is indescribable. I will NEVER not have one on me at all times."
"Toilet paper. Or as we call them at home. Lifesavers!"
levelup_jar replied: "Yeah, everybody called me a madman for always having 2x 20packs at home, and then covid hit and I was laughing and s*itting without worries."
"An umbrella."
driving_andflying comments: "Especially one that can stand up to windy conditions while it rains."
"Nail clipper - especially for healthcare workers."
I keep one in my work bag and my car. I don't need it often but there's nothing worse than having a hang nail that catches on things all day. I also keep an emergency toothbrush and floss in my work desk drawer. Nothing worse than having something stuck in your teeth after lunch.
"Generator. My ex-girlfriend said it was a stupid purchase and a waste of money. Ended up using it for two days straight after a wind storm. Had the fridges, fish tank a few lights, TV, and internet going the whole time."
Pineneedlecollada replied: "Yeah, generators are really useful, but you have to take care of them. When I was like 6, there was a really bad snowstorm where I was. The generator hadn't been taken care of for around a year, so it didn't work. Ended up not having power for like 2-3 days. At least it was cold outside so the stuff in the fridge could stay cold. Frozen milk isn't the easiest to drink though.
So now anytime we go back to that place, my dad checks the generator. So far it's helped us every other time."
Because of limited resources, I only have large amounts of power bricks. Ranging from 8k to 20k mA/h. Keeps our devices alive and well for a long time.
"Here in Florida, air conditioning systems are our lifeline. One of the most common failures is the fan motor start capacitor for the compressor. It’s a cheap part ($20 to $50), but it always takes several days to get. Without air conditioning in your home in Florida, not only will it be impossible to sleep, but your house will grow mold indoors in 2 days or less. This is exactly how AC repair companies get to charge $500+; they stock the parts but refuse to sell you the part and charge the repair as an emergency.
So buy one and keep it as a backup."
"Light bulbs."
hippiemuch21 said: "Thanks for reminding me."
"Ear plugs.
Nothing worse than getting woken up in the middle of the night and trying to go back to sleep by smashing a pillow over your head."
I tried ear plugs to block the noisy neighbors but found they only muffled noise.😕
"Anything that doesn't have an expiry date, that gets used with regularity, I stock up on. Toilet paper, kitchen roll, dish soap, shower gel, hand soap, bleach, etc."
SisyphusMedia agreed: "This. I was gonna say, 'Everything?' I absolutely loathe shopping. There are at least fifty scrubbing sponges under my sink. I have dozens of boxes of Kleenex, and fifteen or so bars of soap, the list just goes on and on.
My bill at the Mega Membership Mart is typically $500. But I only go two or three times a year. That's about as much exposure as I can stand."
I bought myself a couple of those shoe holders that hook over the door of a cupboard. They have little pockets and I have filled every single one of those pockets with household goods, cleaning stuff, toiletries, etc. I have one in my boiler cupboard in my kitchen and I have the other in the cupboard in my entrance hall. Recently in my best friend ran out of toilet paper and some other toiletries before payday and I was very happy to be able to supply her x
"If you're a parent or plan on having kids - diapers. It seems like a no brainer but there's nothing worse than looking at your pack and going, 'Eh I think we can last til tomorrow' then sending your son or loading your kid up at midnight for a trip to Walmart because they've pooped way more than you anticipated that day."
"Tire inflator/compressor to keep in your car. And a tire repair kit (not the slime) for bonus points."
"Printer ink."
melody0505 replied: "Especially if you’re a student."
Printer ink is such a scam. Those companies should be in jail. Company jail.
"Gas. Had to push my car 1/2 mile down a highway just to get enough to make it to a cheaper location. Didn't take too long to push but it was a harrowing experience being out of a car on the highway with traffic not slowing around you."
Keep a "go bag" for each family member. It should have 1-2 changes of clothes, extra socks/undies, a weeks worth of any regular meds, a complete med list for emergencies, COPIES of any important documents (birth certificates, license, wills, insurance information, important phone numbers, etc), spare cash, flash lights, batteries, toiletries. A family bag may have/might include bottled water, canned foods, CAN OPENER, dry goods like granola and granola bars, fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers, and a well stocked 1st Aid kit. There's probably more, but you will be glad you have this ready to go if you have to leave fast.
How do you get an extra week's worth of meds? Even if your doctor would OK it, it's not likely insurance would cover it.
Keep a "go bag" for each family member. It should have 1-2 changes of clothes, extra socks/undies, a weeks worth of any regular meds, a complete med list for emergencies, COPIES of any important documents (birth certificates, license, wills, insurance information, important phone numbers, etc), spare cash, flash lights, batteries, toiletries. A family bag may have/might include bottled water, canned foods, CAN OPENER, dry goods like granola and granola bars, fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers, and a well stocked 1st Aid kit. There's probably more, but you will be glad you have this ready to go if you have to leave fast.
How do you get an extra week's worth of meds? Even if your doctor would OK it, it's not likely insurance would cover it.
