It is important to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters, and having an emergency food supply is a vital component of preparedness. By having one, you can eliminate stress, worry, and inconvenience during an emergency, and also guarantee that you and your family will have sufficient food even if access to it is limited.
A recent survey by the British Red Cross showed that 63% of UK adults are worried about their ability to handle a flood or other emergency situation in their vicinity. However, 53% of the British population revealed that they do not possess an emergency kit at home. It is important not to fall into this category, as making preparations for emergencies beforehand could be extremely beneficial.
How Much Food Should You Store?
The quantity and variety of food to store will be determined by the individuals in your household, your preferences, any specific health conditions, your ability to utilize the food during an emergency, and the amount of storage space you possess. The UK government advises households to have sufficient food, water, and other necessary items to sustain themselves for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency situation. Nevertheless, it might be sensible to consider storing an additional amount, particularly if you reside in an area prone to frequent power failures.
Preparing a Three-Day Emergency Supply
To effectively prepare for most disasters, it would be advantageous to create a three-day emergency kit. By collecting necessary items and storing them in a designated area, you and your household can better withstand the most challenging days of an emergency. This kit, specifically designed for immediate use, should consist of food, water, personal hygiene products, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and other recommended emergency essentials.
When getting ready for a three-day emergency food supply, it is crucial to choose non-perishable foods that do not need refrigeration, require minimal or no preparation/cooking, and need little or no water. The CDC states that households with emergency supplies were better prepared for disasters and had a higher chance of evacuating quickly. Some excellent choices to include in your three-day emergency food supply are canned meats, fruits, and vegetables that are ready-to-eat; canned juices, milk, and soup; high-energy foods such as peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix; and foods suitable for infants, elderly individuals, or people with special dietary needs.
Preparing a Two-Week Emergency Supply
Having a two-week emergency supply of food is advisable, even if the chance of a lengthy disruption in the food supply during an emergency is low. This is particularly important if you reside in an area where power outages occur frequently. A study conducted by the CDC in the USA emphasized the importance of households having emergency supplies, as it increases preparedness for disasters and facilitates prompt evacuations.
To start creating your two-week emergency food supply, begin by stocking up on more of the essential foods that you typically have on hand. Take note of all family members, their specific dietary requirements, and the staple foods that you currently possess. Include details such as the quantity available, purchase date, opening date, and the known use-by/replace date. Keep this list nearby your storage cabinets or closets and make sure to update it whenever there are any changes.
When it comes to meals, it is important to plan food supplies in a step-by-step manner so that at least one well-balanced meal can be consumed each day. Consider the inclusion of lightweight dehydrated or freeze-dried foods, as they require less space. However, it is crucial to have additional water supplies for rehydrating these foods. Some dehydrated foods, such as fruits, can be consumed as is. If there are foods in your kit that require cooking, make sure to include some ready-to-eat options as well. During certain emergencies, it may be possible to access fires or stoves for cooking, but this may not always be the case. It is important to keep in mind that short-term emergency supplies should prioritize survival, energy, and hydration (water). However, by planning ahead, it is possible to also include nutritionally balanced meals.
Suggested Emergency Food Supplies
When assembling your emergency food supplies, consider the following factors:
- Store at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food.
- Choose foods your family will eat.
- Remember any special dietary needs.
When selecting emergency food supplies, we recommend considering the following items. It is possible that you already possess many of these items.
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener
- Protein or fruit bars
- Dry cereal or granola
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit
- Canned juices
- Non-perishable pasteurized milk
- High-energy foods
- Food for infants
- Comfort/stress foods
Food Safety and Sanitation
Food stored in refrigerators and freezers can become unsafe if there is no electricity or a cold source. The growth of bacteria in food accelerates quickly at temperatures ranging from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which can lead to severe illness if these foods are ingested. Typically, thawed food is safe to consume as long as it remains cold like it would be in a refrigerator. Furthermore, if there are ice crystals present, the food can be refrozen. It is important to remember the phrase “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Do:
- Keep food in covered containers.
- Keep cooking and eating utensils clean.
- Throw away any food that has come into contact with contaminated flood water.
- Throw away any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more.
- Throw away any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
- Use ready-to-feed formula. If you must mix infant formula use bottled water or boiled water as a last resort.
Don’t:
- Eat foods from cans that are swollen, dented or corroded, even though the product may look safe to eat.
- Eat any food that looks or smells abnormal, even if the can looks normal.
- Let garbage accumulate inside, both for fire and sanitation reasons.
Cooking
During times of emergency, various alternatives can be utilized for cooking, such as candle warmers, chafing dishes, fondue pots, or a fireplace. It should be noted that charcoal grills and camp stoves are intended solely for outdoor use. Additionally, commercially canned food can be consumed directly from the can without the need for heating.
To warm up food inside a can, follow these step-by-step instructions.
- Remove the label.
- Thoroughly wash and disinfect the can. (Use a diluted solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water.)
- Open the can before heating.
Managing Food without Power
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened.
- Refrigerated or frozen foods should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for proper food storage.
- Use a refrigerator thermometer to check temperature.
- Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours.
- Discard any perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more.
Using dry ice for various purposes.
- Know where you can get dry ice prior to a power outage.
- Twenty-five pounds of dry ice will keep a 10 cubic foot freezer below freezing for three to four days.
- If you use dry ice to keep your food cold, make sure it does not come in direct contact with the food.
- Use care when handling dry ice. Wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.
