In case of a hurricane(or worse)I'm putting together an emergency food box to last a month. Then, in a year I'll add the items back into inventory. I'm not sure where I'll be able to store it yet. The only place I can think of is the attic. We'll need more than canned goods --- like teabags, spaghetti, dry cat food. Do you think zip-lock bags work for these items? or how about Glad type containers? Any other suggestions? What do you all do? Thanx
Yes, I too think that's a good idea. The way things are going in the economy, all of us should be prepared for it. Of course, I am already retired so I can't lose a job, etc. But what about an emergency where the stores are cleaned out of food, water, etc? So I am going to make an effort to stock up also. Storage is a problem, I have a 2 bedroom condo, with no storage in my kitchen to begin with. But under the bed is a good place for dry goods. The attic is iffy because most attics are extremely hot for several months of the year, not good for food, etc. Top shelf of clothes closets also are good. Depends on how much room you have, etc. Just make sure everything is "bug proof"!
Forgot to mention: I always have a 20 lb. bag of white rice on hand and several bags of dried beans, also canned beans. IN an emergency, I could survivie on rice and beans plus water for several days as I like both of them!
When Aldi's has a sale on thing we eat and we have extra money we will buy a case at a time. We usually have four cases of bottled water put up and we have a case of soup, a case of canned vegtables, of tomato products, a case of jars of Spaghetti sauce and cases of fruit.We also have juice, tea and coffee put up. Oh and We have rice, pasta and beans both canned and dried. So if our checks fall through or other hard times we do have food.
I think you're being very smart in preparing for who knows what. We, too, have been buying some extra canned goods, and I sealed extra bags of flour and cornmeal in plastic bags and put in the freezer. But, I've noticed the stores aren't having much on sale in canned goods lately. Pasta would be good, but would it freeze well (dry)?
If you have a vacuum sealer, that would be better for longer storage, not just freezing. If you don’t have one, ask a friend who does, and supply the bags yourself, I’m sure they wouldn’t deny you the use…how long could it take?
Here in California we have been urged for many years to have an Earthquake Emergency box for the "big one" when it hits. You might want to include a first aid kit and a flashlight with batteries, along with your food. How will you cook rice in a big emergency? Things which are canned and can just be opened and eaten cold, if necessary, are good choices. Hope this gives you some additional ideas to go along with the great ideas you already have.
Thanx to Teenybopper for referring me to a website that discusses emergency preparedness. I guess ever since Katrina the FEMA now advises to prepare for two weeks, where before it was 3 days. The site she sent me to is Millenium Ark Emergency Preparedness. view link
This was my experience: We lived in South Mississippi during Katrina. We had no water for 4 days,no power for 5 weeks and no phone for 7-8 weeks. The cellphones didn't work because the cell towers were down. The neighbors got together to cut trees to make paths to the road, then there were trees across the roads. It took 5 days before there were a few pay phones working and I could call family to let them know we were OK. The hospital was closed so they set up a "mash-unit" outside. The stores and pharmacies were closed. There was no mail delivery. That's about it. You couldn't buy gas because the pumps need power. Finally helicopters dropped water and ice. You were on your own for quite awhile.
I always put in double zip locks if a flour or noodle put in a couple of bay leaves. beans hard.and meal and flour soup,extra tolet, paper ,handiwipes,matches,lighters.perk coffie and coffie.shortning or oil.candels oil for lamps.heat--plenty of water and maybe some koolaid.and have put seeds back for a just in case when all this 9-11 need to stock up here now gave nothing.just me now tho.
I think having a just in case box or storage area with things to have on hand for whatever emergency life throws at us, including unexpected guest for a month, anything can happen, but there is nothing quite as good as being prepared.
Don't stock up on things you won't ever eat and be sure to use up your stuff and replace it on a regular basis to keep it fresh.
You can't always stock up on medications but you can keep OTC pain killers, and tummy medications on hand and keep all medications in a thermal insulated zip picnic type container in a convienant place. First aid supplies too. You can use it from there every day and grab it if you need to run.
Some people even keep a year round packed suitcase with cash, a change of clothes, pet food, medications etc. and they keep it near the door on a closet floor or ? So if they have to evacuate it's ready to grab and run.
This isn't being a pestimist. We know we may never use it but if the day comes it is needed we will be grateful it is there.
