Severe weather can cause power outages or other problems that may affect the safety of food and water. Preparing for a weather emergency can reduce the risk of illness. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross all have tips on preparing for emergencies.
Here’s what they recommend:
Water
Commercially bottled water that has not been opened is best. To stay properly hydrated, each person needs to drink a half gallon of water everyday. Because you will also need some water for cooking, emergency aid officials recommend trying to store a gallon a day per family member and trying to keep enough to last two weeks. For a family of four, that’s 28 gallons!
You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool. If water supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow.
Food
In the event of a power outage, eat perishable foods first, then frozen foods, then pantry foods. Food in the fridge has a lifespan of about four hours if the door is unopened. Food in the freezer can last up to 48 hours if it is full and the door is closed, or 24 hours if it is half full and the door is closed.
Before eating pantry items, inspect them and check expiration dates. Go through your emergency shelf every six months, eat items that are about to expire and replace them.
Foods to be used within six months include: Crackers, dried fruit and powdered milk.
Foods to be used within a year include: Canned soups, vegetables and nuts; peanut butter, jelly and ready-to-eat cereals
Foods that can be stored indefinitely include: White rice, dry pasta, salt, some bouillons, instant coffee, tea and cocoa.
Keep a cooler on hand to store some foods if you can get ice. To cook indoors, you can use a fireplace. Outdoors, a charcoal grill, gas grill or camp stove can be used. Canned food can be eaten right out of the can.
The Red Cross and FEMA recommend the following should be included in an emergency preparedness kit:
Three-day supply of nonperishable food, manual can opener, disposable utensils.
Three-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person, per day).
Portable, battery-powered radio or television, and extra batteries.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First aid kit and manual.
Sanitation and hygiene items (hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, and toilet paper).
Matches in waterproof container.
Whistle.
Extra clothing and blankets.
Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils.
Photocopies of identification and credit cards.
Cash and coins.
Special needs items such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solution, and hearing aid batteries.
Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers.
Tools, pet supplies, a map of the local area, and other items to meet your unique family needs.
