Sometimes becoming better prepared doesn’t have to take much time or money! I’m pretty sure most of you can find a few empty (and clean) trash bags in your home.
These simple plastic bags that most of us have in multiple places in our homes can serve a whole variety of purposes in an emergency. Here are twenty:
- Wear as a poncho
- Use as a shower. Fill with water, let sun heat it and then poke holes in it and stand underneath!
- Use as an arm sling
- Wrap around feet with a rubber band to keep them dry
- Use as a privacy curtain
- Use as a rain cover / tarp to keep items dry
- Make gloves. Wrap a piece of the bag around your hands to help with unsanitary jobs.
- Use as a ground cover
- Use it to line a bucket for an emergency toilet
- Wear under clothing as an insulator
- Fill with leaves to use as a makeshift pillow
- Use between two trees to create a shaded area
- Create a sink: dig a hole and place the bag inside
- Use as a vomit bag
- Tape to windows for additional insulation.
- Keep food safe by placing it in the bag and then hanging it in a tree to keep it away from most animals.
- Use with duct tape to make snow pants / cover.
- Tear up a light one and use as a trail marker
- Use as a tourniquet
- Use to keep dirty items separate from clean ones
- Use a light one as a signal flag
Can you think of more?
Your 10 minutes project today is to put a few trash bags in your car, 72 hour kits and anywhere else you think you may need one! Print the list above and include it. Easy Peasy!
Lack of Time
I’ve found that there are lots of reasons that keep people from becoming better prepared or more self reliant. But as a young mom one of the top reasons is time, or rather a lack of time.
But really, I don’t think us young moms are alone….
I think that many, if not most, in our fast paced society feel that time slips through their fingers regularly. And when feeling rushed and anxious, it can be difficult to invest time in becoming more prepared and self reliant.
Pin It Now For Later!
10 Minute Preparedness Projects!
But very one of us can find 10 minutes, right? Every 10 days or so, I challenge myself to spend 10 minutes on preparedness and self-reliance and I invite you to join me! Simple, right?
You can see all the 10 minutes preparedness projects here:
10 Minute (or less) Preparedness Projects.
I can do this one! I’ll tuck some in my 72 hour kits right now. I’ll put my emergency change of clothes inside the bag to keep them dry inside the kit. In a pinch, the bags might help you to collect rain water or leave out overnight to collect dew? Just a thought.
Yes! Great thought Kerry!
Brilliant! I always have one bag in each kit, but Snow Pants! I had never thought of that one! Or as a shower! Now if I were in the wilderness, needed a shower and all I had was a black trash bag, I would figure it out, but now I can plan for it!
Thanks!
So glad to hear it Carla!
Besides having the good yard bags, an abundance of cheaper and smaller bags is a must. And, you can’t have too many of the small plastic bags from stores. Think doggie bag, without the dog.
So true! Bags of any size are helpful!