These days it seems as if there is not a season or region that is immune to serious and often life threatening weather. Consider the headlines in the last 12 months that have included devastating hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, ice storms, and forest fires. The resulting power outages and road closures have isolated residents for days and even weeks at a time.
An emergency weather kit is mandatory to insure your family’s safety at any time of year. If you don’t have one, you need to set aside time to build one. If you have one, pull it out and make sure you don’t need to replace or add to it.
People tend to rely on last minute runs to the grocery store to insure food for an emergency. But as we have seen, Mother Nature doesn’t always give us a warning. Make sure your emergency kit includes non perishable food. Use water tight plastic tubs to store the items, clearly mark the tub(s) and place them in an easy to access location. When you pack your food and water, you need to consider how many people you will be feeding during a storm. Pack enough for several days. Set aside a large cooler to be kept with the storm kit. Label it and pack some of your food or utensils in it. Here are some other suggestions and guidelines to follow:
Water—pack enough for bottled water for one gallon per person per day. Rather than load up a storage container, consider using storage shelves in your garage, basement or utility room for water storage. Be sure to replace any water you might use for non-emergencies.
Protein—Keep a supply of canned fish and meat on hand. Canned beans are also a good source of protein. And of course, peanut butter is a universally favorite staple item.
Fruits and veggies—Dry fruit is a good staple to have on hand as it takes up less space in your kit than canned. Add a few cans of veggies, or buy some bags of freeze dried selections from camping or sporting goods suppliers. If you have a cook stove, canned soup is a meal by itself.
Cereal and grains—Cereal bars and crackers have a long shelf life. You can also add multipacks of peanut butter or cheese crackers. Avoid boxes of dry cereal. They take up a lot of room in your kit. Chances are you will have dry cereal in the house that you can grab. Add packages of cookies packed in moisture proof wrapping.
Condiments—It is more convenient to have the individual condiment packages. You can buy them in bulk, or just save leftovers from carry out meals.
Pet food—Remember Fido and Fluffy when you are setting up your storm kit. Add a week’s supply of dry food for each pet. Plan emergency measures for exotic animals and fish.
Baby food or special diet needs—Pack enough formula, baby food, juice and crackers. Include bottles and a spare pacifier with the utensils. If you have a family member with special diet needs, it is important that you have those items set aside from the regular family food stuff.
Miscellaneous—Make sure you have paper towels or reusable disposable towels in the kit, as well as plastic plates, silverware, glasses and cups. Put in a package or two of locking plastic storage bags. Don’t forget drink mixes, tea bags and instant coffee. Include a small camping stove or outdoor grill. Remember to have propane or charcoal to fuel your temporary kitchen.
Be sure to check your food kit on a regular basis and remove and replace any out of date items. Plan ahead on how you will salvage and store food items from your kitchen and pantry. If you are in a storm where you home is left intact, but you are isolated and without power, you will want to eat your perishable food first before you start on your storm kit.