Many of us have been prepping for quite a while. We started by getting some more food, a few cases of water, and some gear. Then prepping took over our lives and we now have a lot of prepping things and a good size food and water storage. 

I have been prepping for longer than five years, but I know that I have areas of my prepping I need to revisit. I bet you do too. As I have been decluttering and reorganizing, I have noticed things getting a little out of date, maybe a little dusty, maybe a little rusty, and some of it definitely being unused. I know our emergency plans are out of date and we have a lot of revisions to make. 

Sound familiar?

Here is a list of things you need to check if you have been prepping awhile. While we should be checking our preps every six months to one year, time does get away from us and we get busy with other things. Now is as good time as any to get your preps in line for, you know, just in case!

Preps to Check:

Check Water

• Check containers for leaks and aging
• Dump out old, stale water 
• Refill containers with new, fresh water
• Label each container with what kind of water and date

Check long-term food stores 

• Freeze-dried foods need to be checked to make sure the seals are good and no containers are bulging 
• Food stored in mylar bags needs to be checked and possibly opened to make sure there is no spoilage or bugs
• Food buckets need to be checked for a good seal and no holes or breaks
• Canned foods need to be checked over to either be eaten or thrown and again no bulges in the cans
• Is the food still things you would eat or not? 
• Is there any obvious holes in your food storage your need to fill?

Check supplies 

• Does everything still work? 
• Do batteries need to be replaced? 
• Do I have a good stock of batteries?
• Does the oil, gas, or propane need to be replaced?
• Have you started or used this prep lately to make sure it works?
• Is everything in good condition?
• What needs to be repaired or replaced?

Check caches and supplies hidden at other places

• Are they still there? 
• How is everything holding up in the caches? 
• Time to rotate the food in the caches?
• Check clothing if stored for kids and replace
• Hiding spot still good?
• Cache container still have good camouflage? 

Check security

• Ammo and guns still in good condition?
• Knives sharpened and in good condition?
• Other methods of defending yourself still in good condition?
• Does everybody still know their role in the home security or does your plan need revision?
• Is all your window and door locks in good condition?
• Is your home still invader-proof? Walk around the house to make sure.

Check home emergency supplies

• How are the fire extinguishers? Still in date and still functioning?
• Rope ladders from upstairs rooms still in good condition?
• How are your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Still working well or need to be replaced?
• Generators still run well? 
• Still have an adequate amount of gas, propane, and/or diesel on hand? Container still in good condition?
• Do you still have a good amount of bedding and supplies for those that might show up in an emergency or disaster?

Check your bug-out bags and 72-hour kit

• Is the clothing and shoes still size appropriate for who is using it?
• Is the food still good? Do you still have an adequate amount?
• Does everything function correctly and is still appropriate for the person carrying it?
• Does the batteries need to be replaced in anything?
• Is there adequate amount of supplies for the people in your family? 

Other Questions you should be asking yourself

• Is your evacuation plans still good?
• Does your emergency family plan need to be revised?
• Are your kids older or do you have kids now?
• Do you need plans for your kids in college or on their own?
• Do you need to have plans for your parents and older family members?
• Is your emergency information updated?
• Is your phone list still current?
• Do you need to update your personal information in your family emergency binder?
• Do you have an updated list of all medications your family is taking?
• Do you have current health histories on everybody?
• Is your vehicle emergency kit current? Does anything need to be replaced?
• Is your Every Day Carry current and still useful?
• How is your emergency cash fund? Does it need to be replenished or increased?

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