Emergency ABC - Preparing for your Food and Water Needs in an Emergency or Disaster

Preparing for your Food and Water Needs in an Emergency or Disaster

You never know what will happen. Disasters can hit us without any warning. It could be a power outage, or a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, and earthquake. It could be a toxic spill, or the emission of biological warfare fumes. You could lose your house in a fire. It is important to plan your food and water needs for any emergency or disaster. Are you prepared?

If you can afford to do so, it would be wise to build yourself an emergency shelter for that time of need. This emergency shelter should be made of solid concrete or steel. The doors and windows should have an airtight seal around them when closed. In addition, you should add a protective seal over the inside of the windows, in case of possible glass breakage. It should also contain shelving with doors which will help prevent

water damage for dry stored food in the case of flooding or severe weather. In addition, is better to have these shelves at least three feet off the ground. This would be in case of a minor flood.

If you cannot afford to build an emergency shelter, a basement would work in most cases (except for an earthquake). You can prepare a basement the same way as the shelter above.

In your basement or shelter you should include the following:

Plenty of food that will not spoil: It's best to store some food that will not spoil in case of a power outage. These types of foods can include dry goods such as cereal, tuna, canned soups, and fruits, peanut butter, jelly, canned spaghetti, canned stews, and others. Don't forget to include a can opener and utensils. If there's room, store some paper plates, cups and towels. Paper plates and cups will not need to be washed but you may find it a better solution to store one plate and cup for each member in the household.

If you do have some refrigerated and frozen food, eat that first and save the dry food for last. Also, you can use the frozen food to keep your refrigerator cooler longer. This will help you keep your food safe to eat for a longer period of time. Battery operated refrigerators are available as are generators.

Set up alternative energy sources. You would be wise to set up alternative energy sources. These will be useful when you do not have any electricity or gas to heat with. Keep handy battery operated cooking devices, matches, firewood, and other alternative energy sources to cook and heat with. However you must be sure that the energy sources that you use are safe enough. For example, if your shelter has a wood burning stove, it should be properly ventilated. In case of a war, it is best to use battery operated cooking equipment. That way, the enemy cannot track you down. Don't forget to pack some flashlights. These come in handy whenever you need a smaller light source.

Store an adequate water supply. It is recommended to store at least a few weeks worth of water supply to clean, cook and bathe with. You can purchase water in bottles, or even buy water in dispensers. In addition, you could install a pump. Water is something a person can only live without for no more than three days, so it is important that you keep enough water for every person in your household.

If you cannot afford to build an emergency shelter, you can create an alternative plan. First, you can store food and supplies at another emergency location, such as a friend or relative's house. Then, you can also register your name at a public shelter far enough away from the disaster location. These places usually have food and water provided, as well as water for cleanliness needs. If you decide to stay at an emergency shelter, make sure you have working transportation. Also, plan the shortest route to that place. Yet, make sure that the shelter is far enough away from the source of the disaster.

Stay tuned to local TV and Radio stations for further information. Local media can help instruct you on how to be prepared for a disaster.

Keeping informed, and being prepared in case of an emergency can save you and your family's life.

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Five Things to Ask Your Childs School or Daycare Provider about their Emergency Preparedness

Home
◦ Disability Dangers during Disasters
◦ Do You Know All Your Emergency Phone Numbers?
◦ Drafting a Medical Game Plan in Case of an Emergency
◦ Fifteen Ways to Disaster Proof Your Home
◦ Five Fire Facts for Fleeing to Safety
◦ Five Important Things to Know before Cleaning Up after a Flood
◦ Five Things to Ask Your Child's School or Daycare Provider about their Emergency Preparedness
◦ Five Things to Do to Protect Yourself during a Lightning Storm
◦ Five Things to Do When Disaster Strikes While You Are at Work
◦ Five Tips in Averting Home Fires
◦ Four Ways to Protect Your Family against Crime during an Emergency or Disaster
◦ Gassing up and Other Things to Do in an Evacuation
◦ Get Fired Up - Do You Know What to Do in a Fire?
◦ Household Hints to Live by in Preparing for an Evacuation
◦ How to Plan Your Escape Route When Disaster Strikes
◦ How to Raise Awareness for Emergency and Disaster Preparation
◦ How to Talk to Your Child about Disaster Preparation
◦ Hurricane Help - Ten Ways to Prepare for the Big Storm
◦ Importance of Water in an Emergency or Disaster
◦ Insure Against Disaster - Re-Evaluate your Disaster Policies
◦ Keep Afloat During Floods - Six Important Safety Tips
◦ Make a Plan of Action in Case of a Chemical Spill
◦ Making the best out of being stranded: When your vacation won't let you leave
◦ Office Preparedness - Items for your Survival Kit
◦ Pet Essentials - What You Need to Pack in Case of Evacuation

Home Security
◦ 3 essential steps to build a secure community
◦ 5 absolute essentials of home security
◦ 5 absolute essentials of protecting yourself from bogus callers
◦ 5 essential things to check for when you are buying a house
◦ 5 things you must never do if you want a secure home
◦ Apartment Security
◦ Computerized Home Security
◦ Home Automation System
◦ Home Security: 7 things you should never forget about.
◦ Home Security Advice
◦ Home Security Alarm Monitoring
◦ Home Security and Children
◦ Home Security and Information Security
◦ Home Security and Personal Safety
◦ Home Security and Safety
◦ Home Security Basics
◦ Home Security: Bogus Callers
◦ Home Security: Burglary Prevention
◦ Home Security Companies and Contractors
◦ Home Security Do It Yourself
◦ Home Security: Domestic Dangers