How to prepare and deal with a disaster

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Disasters can happen unexpectedly or people can be given a notice of a disaster like hurricanes. Preparation for emergencies is key. Most grocery stores will run out of food and water quickly when there is an announcement of a lockdown.

The key food items to look for when shopping for emergency food supply is how long the food can be stored and does it require any water or need electricity to cook.  You also want to look for foods that meet the needs of everyone who will be eating the food including pets. Ready to eat foods that don’t need to be refrigerated or cooked is best. You also want to look for food that will not increase your thirst or need for water like salty or spicy food.

Water supply is important to store and maintain. Typically, you want to consider 1 gallon of water per day for each person and pet. Store as much as possible when planning ahead to keep as an emergency storage. If you know the power will go out, there are tips to store water. Fill the bath tubs up with water to use to flush the toilet, any kind of cleaning, or anything else you may need for water. Fill up as many containers, bottles, or anything you have with drinking water. Coolers can be used to fill up with ice to keep food cold after four hours. Freeze as many refrigerated items as you can to keep them at a safer temperature longer. Have manual can and bottle openers, utensils, plates, and cups. Camp stove is a good idea if it is possible to use depending on the situation.

Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep it cold as long as it can be. Refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours if doors are kept closed while a freezer can last up to 48 hours.

These are a few tips to remember when preparing for an emergency of any kind. Food and nutrition is important to remember to decrease the risk of food waste, foodborne illness and going hungry. Being prepared will help reduce the stress of leaving the house into danger and have a peace of mind that you are prepared for an emergency.

 LS

United States Department of Agriculture. (2017). USDA offers food safety tips for areas affected by Hurricane Irma. Retrieved from https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2017/nr-090517-01

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Food and water needs: preparing for a disaster or emergency. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html


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