Food Items
Information Provided By Civil Defense
Food Choices
Buy foods that can be eaten with little or no cooking. (i.e. canned goods and non-perishible items)
Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in your home.
Close food boxes and cans tightly after use.
Wrap bread, cookies, or crackers in plastic bags or keep them in tightly closed containers.
Use plastic containers when storing food, and buy emergency food in cans.
Keep clean plastic containers on hand to store 1/2 gallon of water for each person per day.
Have a special section of the food cupboard set aside for emergency food, so that it is easier to manage, and can be packed quickly if there is a need to evacuate.
Rotate food every 6 months.
Purifying Water
Boiling: Boil water vigorously for 1 to 3 minutes. To improve taste, pour water from one clean container to another several times.
Purification tablets: These are available at most drug stores. Follow the directions on the package carefully.
Bleach purification: Liquid household bleach can be used to purify water. It must contain hypochlorite, preferably 5.24 percent; add the amount listed below, then stir and mix. Let water stand 30 minutes before drinking.
For 1 gallon of water: If water is clear add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon). If water is cloudy add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon).
For 5 gallons of water: If water is clear add 1/2 teaspoon. If water is cloudy add 1 teaspoon.
Powdered flavored beverage mix may be added t offset the chlorine taste.
Preparing Meals
Disposable plates, forks, spoons, and knives
Disposable hot and cold cups
Paper napkins or towels
Non-electric can opener
Trash bags
Sterno heater, hibachi or camp stove with 5-day fuel supply
Matches in waterproof container
Heavy-duty aluminum foil
Other utensils i.e. cutting knifes, available at home
Ziplock bags for food storage
Paper or plastic garbage bags
If You Know You'll Lose Power Ahead Of Time:
Use the perishable food in the refrigerator and freezer first.
Make extra ice.
Freeze extra freeza-pack inserts and keep them frozen for emergencies.
Buy a cooler.
Freeze water in plastic containers. (Do not fill containers to top before freezing.)
Know in advance where you can buy dry and block ice. 25 pounds of dry ice should hold a 10-cubic foot freezer cold for 3-4 days.
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