Bury These 8 Items Before The Next Crisis

When the world seems to turn upside down, having a secure backup plan is not just smart—it’s crucial for survival. Looters, desperate neighbors, and even authorities can quickly become a threat to your hard-earned supplies post-SHTF. One of the best ways to keep your essentials safe is to bury them in strategic, discreet locations. This method allows you to hide items from prying eyes and ensures that when things get chaotic, you still have what you need to survive. Below are eight items that you should consider burying now—before things take a turn for the worse.

Food Supplies

Non-perishable food items like canned goods, vacuum-sealed packages, and dehydrated meals are ideal for burying. You can find here plenty of ideas for Superfoods you can get during a crisis, along with the ingredients you’ll need. I think it would be an excellent reference when deciding what to bury.

Because the truth is, when disaster strikes, grocery stores will be the first to get raided, and food scarcity will follow soon after. By creating a stash underground, you’ll have the means to feed yourself and your family when shelves are empty and desperation sets in.

How to Bury:

• Use Airtight Containers: Choose sturdy, airtight containers, preferably made of plastic or metal, to keep your food fresh and safe from moisture and pests. Make sure to test the seals before burying to ensure they are secure.
• Location: Bury them in a secluded area of your property, somewhere that doesn’t draw attention. A garden or under a tree works well. Avoid areas prone to flooding, as water could damage your supplies.
• Depth: Aim to bury food supplies at least 2-3 feet deep to keep them safe from scavengers, both human and animal. Make sure to disguise the burial site by covering it with natural debris.

Tools and Survival Gear

Tools like hatchets, shovels, this EMP Cloth, and multitools are vital for survival. When chaos breaks loose, these items will be worth their weight in gold—and they’ll be among the first things people try to steal.

How to Bury:

• Rust Prevention: Coat tools in a layer of oil or wrap them in cloth treated with grease to prevent rusting. Alternatively, use silica gel packs to absorb moisture and keep rust at bay.
• Depth: Bury them deep enough that metal detectors won’t easily find them but not so deep that retrieval becomes a struggle. A depth of 2-4 feet is usually sufficient, depending on the soil type.
• Grouping: Consider burying tools in a bundle to make retrieval easier. Wrap them in a tarp or heavy-duty plastic to keep everything together and protected.

👉 The 5 vital electronics that still matter after an EMP

Weapons and Ammunition

When things get bad, protecting yourself might become your number one priority. Firearms and ammunition are high-value targets for looters (you should learn how to keep them at bay, by the way…) and potentially even authorities trying to control the population. To keep these items safe, they need to be buried and hidden well.

How to Bury:

• PVC Pipe Cache: Use a PVC pipe to store firearms and ammunition. Seal the ends properly to ensure they’re watertight. PVC pipes are durable, discreet, and easy to bury.
• Grease and Oil: Coat firearms in gun oil or grease to prevent rusting over time. Moisture can be a major issue underground, so take extra precautions.
• Mark Your Spot: Keep a discreet map or note of where you buried these items, but make sure it’s kept in a safe place that only you can access. Consider using a coded marking system so that even if the note is found, it won’t be easy to decipher.

Precious Metals and Valuables

Gold, silver, and even cash can be essential to rebuilding your life once the dust settles. Whether you need to barter for goods or pay for a ticket out of town, having these resources will give you leverage in uncertain times.

How to Bury:

• Small Metal Boxes: Place your precious metals in metal boxes that can be sealed tight. Use anti-corrosion paper or cloth to further protect these items.
• Consider the Soil: Metals can corrode, so take care to line the box with protective padding or silica gel packets to absorb moisture. Avoid areas with high moisture content, such as near water bodies or low-lying areas.
• Depth and Secrecy: Bury valuables deep—at least 3-4 feet—to avoid detection by metal detectors. Choose a location that isn’t frequently disturbed, like an area under thick brush or near natural landmarks.

Essential Documents

Think birth certificates, property deeds, medical records, and identification. When the authorities come knocking or you need to prove ownership or identity, having copies of essential documents could mean the difference between security and chaos.

How to Bury:

• Use Waterproof Bags: Place documents in waterproof, vacuum-sealed bags to ensure they stay dry. Consider double-bagging for added security.
• Double-Bury: Consider burying these documents within another container that adds an extra layer of protection against water or pests. A sturdy, lockable box is ideal.
• Location: Choose a spot that is easy to access in a hurry. You don’t want to be digging for hours if you need these documents urgently.

Medicines and First Aid Supplies

In a crisis, medical supplies will be among the most sought-after items. Whether it’s basic first aid, antibiotics, or prescription meds, having a stash that’s hidden away could be lifesaving.

How to Bury:

• Plastic Bins: Store these supplies in labeled, airtight plastic bins to keep them in good condition. Labeling helps you quickly identify the contents when needed.
• Shade and Coolness: Choose a burial spot that is shaded, as medicines are best preserved in cool environments. Consider burying in a north-facing area or under a large tree where temperatures remain more stable.
• Rotation: Regularly check on and rotate out expired medications. You don’t want to be caught with expired antibiotics when you need them most.

What Medicine Should You Stockpile?

Not every medication is essential, but there are a few you should have on hand that could save your life in a crisis. However, there are two big problems that you could face.

First, these medicines sell out very quickly. Second, most of them come from China or India. The supply chain is already vulnerable, and in the event of an EMP or a political crisis, it could collapse dramatically. Therefore, you have to move fast if you want to build a decent supply. Here’s what you should invest in:

1. Naproxen – This is a highly effective painkiller you should have. It’s available over the counter and is stronger than ibuprofen.

If you want to find the other 9 medications on the list, click here, where you’ll also find the other 9 medical supplies you need to keep at home – plus how to stockpile antibiotics without a prescription.

Seeds

When the food runs out, being able to grow your own is one of the best strategies for long-term survival. Seeds are small, easy to store, and can be the key to your independence in a post-collapse world.

How to Bury:

• Mylar Bags: Keep seeds in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers to increase their shelf life. This will help protect them from moisture and pests.
• Label Clearly: Be sure to label the bags with the type of seed and the date so you know what you’re working with when you dig them up. Include planting instructions if possible.
• Multiple Varieties: Store a variety of seeds—fruits, vegetables, herbs—to ensure you have a diverse source of nutrition once you begin planting.

Besides using them to make or replace food, you can also use seed to obtain alternative remedies when pharmacies are shut down. In a crisis, you might develop issues like intestinal parasites. These are especially dangerous, so check out this papaya seed-based recipe.

Water Filtration and Purification Tools

Clean drinking water is essential for survival. During a crisis, having water filtration tools can be the difference between life and death. You can bury portable filters, iodine tablets, or even small filtration pumps to make sure you always have access to safe water.

How to Bury:

• Layer of Protection: Store these items in plastic containers, and add a layer of protective cloth to prevent damage from impacts or shifting soil. Wrap filters in bubble wrap to prevent breakage.
• Easy Access: Bury these in a spot that is easy to get to—you don’t want to be struggling to retrieve them when you’re already in a desperate situation. Consider a location close to a water source for convenience.
• Include Spare Parts: If possible, include spare parts or extra filtration cartridges. During a long-term crisis, having replacement parts could make a significant difference.

A very important recommendation you should keep in mind is to secure access to an alternative water source. In a crisis, the public water system will almost certainly go down, so this backpack-sized water generator could make the difference between life and death.

Bury Items for SHTF Effectively – Best Tips

• Diversify Your Locations: Never put all your eggs in one basket. Bury items in different spots to minimize the risk of losing everything if one stash is discovered.
• Mark with Natural Indicators: Instead of marking your locations with obvious signs like a stick or rock, use natural indicators—like an oddly shaped tree root or a specific plant—to remember where your caches are.
• Keep it Secret: The fewer people who know about your buried items, the better. Desperation can turn even friends or neighbors against you, so keep your plans to yourself.
• Use a Metal Detector: Before you finish burying, use a metal detector to ensure there is nothing else metallic nearby that could give away your stash’s location to someone else using similar tools.

The Special Case of Fuel

Whether it’s gasoline, diesel, or propane, fuel will become an incredibly scarce and valuable resource during a crisis. Without a steady supply, most people won’t be able to run generators, vehicles, or essential tools—putting their survival at serious risk. That’s why burying fuel reserves can give you a critical edge.

But it’s not without risks: leaks can contaminate the soil or groundwater, and flammable vapors can lead to fire or even explosions. To store fuel underground safely, you must use proper containers—thick, corrosion-resistant plastic drums or stainless steel tanks designed specifically for fuel storage.

These should be tightly sealed, placed in a dry pit lined with gravel for drainage, and covered with a heavy-duty waterproof tarp or membrane. The containers must be hidden well but still accessible when needed.

One major mistake is burying fuel too close to your home, water source, or garden. If done properly, this hidden stash can become a powerful asset when the grid is down and energy is no longer just a convenience.

Legal Considerations Before You Bury Items for SHTF

Before burying any items – especially weapons, ammunition, or fuel – always check and comply with your local, state, and federal laws. In many areas, unauthorized storage of firearms or fuel can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines or criminal charges.

While protecting your future is essential, doing so in a lawful manner ensures that you don’t put yourself or others at risk. Always use discretion and prioritize both safety and legality in your preparedness planning.

Why It Makes Sense To Bury Items for SHTF

In times of crisis, everyone will be out to protect themselves and their families. Governments might impose restrictions, seize assets, or crack down on personal freedoms—especially when resources run low. Looters and thieves will be on the lookout for anything they can get their hands on. By discreetly burying essential items, you are taking a proactive step to ensure that you have the resources you need when the going gets tough.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Prepare now, while you still can. Think strategically, bury smart, and give yourself the advantage you need to weather whatever storm may come. Remember, what stays hidden, stays safe.

Don’t forget that FEMA will have the right to enter your home and confiscate various items – especially weapons and ammo – in a state of emergency. Learn from A Navy SEAL’s Bug-In Guide how to protect your most valuable items in such a scenario!

You may also like:

Why You Should Bury A Barrel In Your Backyard

What Really Happens When You Bury A Shipping Container (Video)

Cheap Items That Could Save Your Life During an EMP

Why You Should Bury A Trash Can In Your Backyard

How to Bend Anti-Prepping Laws