While packing up your bug out bag you might want to consider including these small but useful items! They're common household items that actually can come in handy during a critical SHTF moment. At first, they may seem impractical but read up and see if you do not think they are a must-have!

Chewing gum
… use it to bait traps or fishing hooks. The metallic wrapper works as an emergency fire-starter too: Combine it with the terminals of a smartphone or headlamp battery, and it will burst into flame.
Bleach
Just two drops will purify a liter of water as well as iodine. You also get the added benefit of being able to sanitize your food prep area and tools (especially important if you’re working with raw meat).
Soda
Drink it for a quick boost of energy, which will feel even more noticeable when you haven’t had food for a bit. By breaking one of the links, you can use the soda tab as a makeshift fishhook.
Hand Sanitizer
Useful for keeping clean in questionable situations, hand sanitizer also makes an excellent material for starting fires.
Tampons
They make excellent dressings for wounds, sopping up blood while you deal with the root cause or evacuate the patient. Shredding the cotton of the tampon yields an impressive ball of fluff that will very easily take a spark or a flame.
Black Trash Bag
Use it to carry supplies and transport water, or open it up for a tarp. Make a poncho to keep you and your backpack dry in the rain (it’ll keep you almost as warm as a Mylar blanket).

There is much more you can use these items for and you can read about them and other survival items over on Backpacker.

These are only five articles and if you put your mind to it we bet you can think of even more small items to use in multiple ways! Pull out your backpack and start filling it up now!