Food and Water
In the event of an emergency or disaster that strikes your community, you might not have access to food and water from retailers due to stores being closed. By taking some time now to store emergency food and water supplies, you can provide for your entire family.
RECOMMENDED EMERGENCY FOOD SUPPLIES
- Canned meat
- Non pasteurized milk
- Sugar, salt and pepper
- Dried fruits
- Power bars and granola bars
- Food for infants
- Nuts and trail mix
- Peanut butter
- Canned vegetables such as beans, carrots and peas
- Crackers
- Stress foods
Emergency food supply tips
- Enough food should be stored to support each member of your household, and pets, for 3-5 days.
- Choose foods that don't need to be cooled, heated, or need a lot of water.
- Choose food that provides a balanced diet.
- Make sure you have a can opener if you plan to use canned foods.
- Store food in a cool, dry location. Place boxed foods in a secure, airtight containers.
- Check expiration dates.
- Throw out canned goods that become swollen, dented, or corroded.
- Discard any food that appears to be spoiled or contaminated.
- Account for your family's unique needs and taste.
- Avoid to many salt foods because they increase thirst.
- When the electricity goes out
- Keep refrigerator door closed.
- Fridge food should be safe as long as power was out no more then four hours.
- Use fridge thermometer to check temp-should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
- REMEMBER: When in doubt, throw it out!
water is an important resource:
Water is the most important resource to have available dehydration can occur in as quickly as 36 hours without it. Therefore, having plenty of water available for each member of your family, including pets, is crucial.
- Do NOT ration water supplies unless instructed to do so.
- Healthy people need to drink a half gallon of water each day. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more.
- Store at least two week supply for each member.
- store water in clean, sealed and unbreakable containers.
- store containers on shelves or pallets to keep them off concreate surfaces. Concrete can cause container failure and possibly contaminate the contents.
- Replace your stock of stored water every six months.
- Water treated commercially, such as city tap water, does not require any additional treatment prior to storage.
other sources of drinking water
- Ice cubes
- Water from water-packed canned goods.
- Water drained from hot water heaters: shut off the main water valves to the house. Drain water out of the bottom drain valve of the tank. Sediment at the bottom of the tank may, at first, make the water look murky. Continue to drain until this water clears up.
- Water from your home's water pipes: first, shut off the main water valves to the house. Next, turn on the faucet at the highest point in your home to allow air into the system. Draw water, as needed, from the lowest point in your house, usually the hot water tank drain.