4. In a disaster you may not be able to get to the store
In a disaster you may not be able to get to the store. You may not have a stove or microwave for cooking.
Having an emergency food supply ready doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.
By taking small steps, you can make sure your family (including your pets) will have what they need when disaster strikes.

5. Buy a three day emergency food supply for your household.
Take steps now to make sure the food in your refrigerator and freezer will stay safe in a power outage.
Make sure you can meet any special dietary needs in your household in a disaster.

7. Have an emergency food supply that will meet the needs of your household for three days without outside help.
Set it aside in a bag or box, OR
Keep it in your cupboard and rotate it as part of your regular food supply
Industrial park – hazardous materials releases
Rivers, lakes, oceans – floods, hurricanes
Railroad tracks – hazardous materials release, derailment
Wooded areas – wildfire
Nuclear power plant – radiological release
Steep slopes – landslide, avalanche
Stress that disasters can happen anywhere. 92% (check number) of all Americans live in areas that are prone to disasters, but no one is disaster proof. Floods can happen anywhere, including deserts and neighborhoods far from rivers and lakes when heavy rains flood streets and open areas faster than they can drain.

8. You know better than anyone else how much food your family needs for three days.
Create a three day meal plan for your family using shelf-stable foods and post it inside your cupboard.
Make sure you always keep those items on hand.
Don’t forget about pets!

9. Eating right is even more important during a disaster, when you and your family members are under stress and may be doing things you are not used to doing.
It is also extremely important to eat right for any health conditions that you might have. They can become worse with stress or a poor diet.

10. Balance
Usability
Shelf Life
Include a variety of foods from each of the basic food groups.
Include comfort foods like chocolate and graham crackers and high energy foods like nuts and protein bars. These should not be the biggest part of your food supply.
Choose items that don’t have to be heated or kept cold, and that don’t need a lot of water to prepare:
Canned or dried meat
Dry cereal
Canned vegetables
Make sure you have a manual can opener if you are including canned foods. Some can openers can be hard to use, so make sure it works for you!
Check the expirations dates on each food item.
Use and replace the items before the expiration date.

11. Select the slides that apply to the area in which you are presenting.

12. When the power goes out temperatures in your refrigerator and freezer will start to go up, even if the doors stay closed.
If your refrigerator is more than 41°F for more than 4 hours, food like meat, milk, mayonnaise, leftovers, etc. may not be safe to eat.
If your freezer is above 41°F for more than one or two days, food may not be safe to eat.

13. If frozen food still has ice crystals in it, it should be safe to eat.
Always check the color and smell of food, especially meat.
When in doubt—throw it out!
Make sure you dispose of food where animals can’t get to it.

14. Buy thermometers for your refrigerator and freezer
If you know a storm is coming that may cause a power outage, turn down the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer. The colder it is when the power goes out the longer it will take for it to get warm.
Keeping containers of ice in your freezer will keep the temperature colder longer.

15. Cover your refrigerator and freezer in newspapers and blankets to keep the cold in.
Make sure vents are clear in case the power comes back on.
Avoid opening the doors.

16. If you don’t know the temperature of your refrigerator and it was off for more than four hours, perishable food should be thrown away.
Eating perishable food that has gotten too warm can cause food poisoning, even if it is refrozen or cooked.
When in doubt—throw it out!

18. There can be serious health effects for some people if they don’t have the right food available.
Allergies (peanuts, dairy, eggs, etc.)
Disease treatment (Celiac, Ketogenic, etc.)
Metabolic disorders (Argininemia, PKU, etc.)
Special textures (liquid, etc.)

19. Talk to your healthcare provider or a nutritionist about nonperishable food options for special dietary needs
Picture of a gluten-free care package sent to a food bank in Joplin, MO following the 2011 tornado.

20. Include a description of your medical condition and your diet in your emergency kit
If you have to evacuate it will help shelter workers or others understand your needs

21. Special equipment may be needed to properly prepare food for people with certain health conditions:
Blender, food scale, feeding tubes, etc.
Keep extra preparation equipment in your Go Bag, or at a friend or relative’s house, in case you have to evacuate

22. Emergency preparedness isn’t a machine that has to have all of its parts to work. It’s a toolbox, and even having one or two tools is better than none.

23. Disasters can happen at any time.
If you are away from home would you know where to find safe shelter locations? Will you be able to reach the people who count on you?
Learn how to make sure you and your loved ones are safe in a disaster, no matter where you are.

24. For more information
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