What Les Stroud thinks you should have in your apartment

If you follow the blog you know I am extremely interested in stocking up on supplies, just in case the basic services we all hold near and dear shut down or I have to spend more than three days in my home.

Last week I posted questions I put to Les Stroud, host of the hit television series Survivorman and author of Survive!, about the pros and cons of living in a city during an emergency. 

I also asked him about what I should buy or have ready in my home. The answers are below. For reference a full list of items Stroud thinks everyone should have on hand are detailed in Survive!

Q: What are some key items people should have in their apartments in case of an emergency?

A: The ability to boil water always seems to be the first thing people look to do in an emergency situation.

I keep a general two-burner camp stove with a propane canister and matches always ready to go as well as a large jug of fresh water. It’s important to have items that all people, men and women, are comfortable using.

Q: What skills should people living in cities learn in case of an emergency?

A: First aid, water procurement when it is scarce. After that people are most comfortable in their own homes, but if there is no heat or electricity and food chains are shut off then it comes down to what you have in the house that can help you.

Stroud also said that having an easy and safe way to heat your home is a very good idea.

I have bottled water and pills to purify more suspect sources, but I like the idea of having a two-burner stove for boiling. Summer is coming, so I am not worried about the cold but I am wondering whether I need to start thinking about safe sources of heat for next season.

Things to add to the (always growing) shopping list.

P.S. The photo of Stroud in front of the roaring fire is by Laura Bombier, who apparently takes all the photos of him. Guessing, based on the locations she is working in, she would also be handy to have around if things went south.