Steve | PrepperDeals.comBy Steve | PrepperDeals.com
When folks think about survival prep, they tend to picture blizzards, hurricanes, or the grid going down in the dead of winter. But let’s not forget: summer can be just as brutal. Between heatwaves, rolling blackouts, wildfires, and droughts, summer throws its own curveballs. And if you’re not ready? It gets sweaty, dangerous, and expensive—fast.
So grab your wide-brimmed hat and let’s walk through a practical, no-fluff guide to getting summer-ready. Whether you’re a seasoned prepper or just starting to stock up, this checklist will help you stay cool, hydrated, and lit up when the power goes out.
Section 1: Beat the Heat (Without Breaking the Grid)
Let’s start with the obvious: heat kills. Literally. Every year, thousands of people suffer heatstroke or worse during heatwaves—especially the elderly and folks without air conditioning.
Here’s how to stay cool when the grid’s stressed or down:
- Reflective Window Covers – These keep the sun from turning your home into a convection oven. Pick up a roll of Reflectix or emergency Mylar blankets and tape them inside your windows during a heatwave.
- Battery-Powered Fans – Cheap, cheerful, and effective. Pair them with a spray bottle for DIY air conditioning.
- Evaporative Cooling Towels – Soak, wring, drape. These lightweight towels are a lifesaver during yard work or bug-out drills.
- Pop-Up Shade Canopies – For cooking outdoors or creating a shaded staging area, these are worth their weight in gold.
- Wide-Brimmed Hats and Sun Shirts – Don’t overlook clothes as gear. Loose-fitting, UPF-rated clothing keeps the sun off and your body temp down.
Pro Tip: Fill gallon jugs with water and freeze them while you still have power. They’ll keep your freezer cold during blackouts—and make great ice blocks for cooling off.
Section 2: Stay Hydrated, Stay Sharp
You can last weeks without food, but only a few days without water. And in summer? Even less. Dehydration doesn’t just make you feel bad—it messes with your decision-making. Not ideal in a crisis.
Water Storage & Filtration Basics:
- Store at Least 1 Gallon Per Person Per Day (More in Summer) – For drinking, washing, and cooking.
- Stackable Water Bricks or 5-Gallon Jugs – Easier to store than giant drums, especially in suburban garages or closets.
- Electrolyte Tablets or Powder – Replenish what you lose through sweat. Look for sodium, potassium, and magnesium—not just sugar.
- High-Flow Water Filters – LifeStraw is good for individual use, but grab a gravity-fed Berkey-style filter for family-scale prep.
- DIY Rainwater Catchment – Summer storms can help you stock up. Just make sure your barrels are food-grade and covered.
Bonus Tip: Add collapsible water containers to your bug-out bag. Empty, they take up no space. Full, they may save your life.
Section 3: Light It Up – Blackout-Ready Essentials
Blackouts don’t just mean no TV or internet. In the summer, they mean no AC, no cold food, no fans, and if you’re on a well—no water either.
Your Summer Power Outage Kit Should Include:
- Solar Lanterns – Rechargeable, reliable, and safe. Look for models with USB outputs to charge phones.
- Battery Banks – Keep them charged and store in a cool place. Bonus if they have solar charging capabilities.
- USB Fans – These little guys run great off power banks and make hot nights a little less miserable.
- Rechargeable Headlamps – Flashlights are fine, but headlamps let you cook, fix, or prep with both hands free.
- Mini Solar Panel Kits – For charging essentials like phones, radios, or batteries.
- Crank Emergency Radio – Some have built-in lights, weather alerts, and phone chargers. Keep one handy.
Reality Check: You can’t run a window unit on a solar lantern. But with some strategy and battery banks, you can keep communication, lighting, and air flow going through the worst of it.
Section 4: Wildfire & Smoke Preparedness
Summer also means wildfire season in many parts of the country. Even if you’re not in the burn zone, smoke can travel for miles—and wreak havoc on your health.
What to Prep for Fire & Smoke Season:
- N95 Masks or Respirators – Protects lungs from fine particulate matter.
- Portable Air Purifiers – Small HEPA units can make a huge difference indoors.
- Evacuation Plan – Know two ways out of your neighborhood. Practice with your family.
- Fire-Resistant Document Bag – For IDs, titles, insurance docs, and USB drives with backups.
- Go Bag Ready to Roll – Include maps, water, clothes, pet supplies, and copies of key documents.
- Hose Ready with Nozzle – If you’re staying put, be prepared to defend your space from embers.
Prep Tip: If wildfires aren’t a risk in your area, that’s great—but someone else’s wildfire can still fill your sky with smoke. Have a plan.
Section 5: Summer-Specific First Aid & Hygiene
Sweat, heat, bugs, and more bugs. Welcome to summer.
Add These to Your First Aid Kit:
- Aloe Vera Gel or Burn Spray – For sunburns or cooking mishaps.
- Hydrocortisone Cream – For itchy bites and rashes.
- Antihistamines – For seasonal allergies and unexpected reactions.
- Bug Spray or Wipes – Look for DEET or picaridin.
- Tick Removers – Especially if you’re in tall grass or woods.
- Foot Powder – Keeps your feet dry and blister-free in hot boots.
Hygiene Matters More Than You Think:
- Baby Wipes or Body Wipes – Bathing is harder without water.
- Biodegradable Soap – Safe for you and the environment.
- Extra Deodorant & Feminine Supplies – Summer isn’t the time to skimp.
- Trash Bags – Use for waste, water collection, or emergency ponchos.
Section 6: Outdoor Cooking & No-Power Meals
Cooking indoors during a blackout is a no-go. Make sure you’re ready to go full pioneer mode if needed.
Outdoor Cooking Essentials:
- Propane or Butane Camp Stove – Easy to use and stores compactly.
- Charcoal or Wood Grill – Stock extra fuel and fire starters.
- Solar Oven – Yes, they work—and they’re great for slow-cooking during the hottest part of the day.
- Canned & Shelf-Stable Meals – Think stews, soups, chili, tuna, and protein bars.
- Manual Can Opener – Don’t forget the obvious!
Test Drive: Try going a weekend without your stove or microwave. Cook every meal outdoors or with stored food. It’s a great way to see what you’re missing (and train your kids without freaking them out).
Section 7: Mental Resilience & Community Matters
Let’s get real: even the best gear won’t save you if panic sets in. And the summer stress combo of heat, boredom, and uncertainty can wear down even the steadiest folks.
Simple Ways to Boost Summer Resilience:
- Plan Low-Energy Activities – Board games, card games, coloring books. Keep morale up.
- Rotate Kids’ Outdoor Toys – Simple water games, chalk, or nature hunts help avoid meltdowns.
- Talk to Neighbors – Know who’s vulnerable. Share tips, tools, or a cold drink in tough times.
- Mindfulness Tools – A journal, Bible, deck of cards, or even a breathing app can help keep calm.
Final Thoughts: Prepared, Not Paranoid
Prepping for summer isn’t about building a desert bunker or buying pallets of gear you’ll never use. It’s about being realistic and ready for the most likely threats—heat, power loss, water issues, and fire.
And the good news? Most of what’s on this checklist pulls double duty year-round.
At PrepperDeals, we track down the gear you actually need—at prices that make sense. Whether you’re grabbing an LED lantern, a water filter, or just a sun hat that doesn’t make you look ridiculous, we’ve got your back.
Stay cool out there.
– Steve
🔗 Related Resources on PrepperDeals:
- Best Portable Solar Panels Under $150
- DIY Rainwater Harvesting for Beginners
- Everyday Carry Essentials for Summer
🛒 Shop Smart:
Visit our Summer Survival Gear Section to stock up before the next heatwave hits.
