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What would you do in the event of a major flood, man-made disaster, power outage, toxic spill, or health-related quarantine? Could you survive on your own for the first 72 hours after a major disaster or emergency?
The 72 Crew Awareness and Preparedness campaign is dedicated to helping you and your family Be Prepared . . . Not Scared. Click on Get Involved to learn how your community can be 72 Crew Certified.
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Food
Keep enough food on hand to sustain you and your family for 3 days. Remember that you may not have access to electricity or refrigeration and that water may be scarce. Watch your salt content, as salty foods make you drink more water.
- Store food items that are familiar, rather than buying special emergency food. Consider any dietary restrictions and preferences you may have.
- Ideal foods are: Shelf-stable (no refrigeration required), low in salt, and do not require cooking (e.g. canned fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, jam, low-salt crackers, cookies, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, canned soup or meats, juices and non-fat dry milk).
- Foods should require very little preparation - try to avoid things that need water or cooking
- Make sure it's food your family will eat
- Remember to include a manual can-opener and utensils in your emergency supplies
- Ready-to-eat canned foods: meats, fruits, vegetables, soup, juice, and milk
- High-energy foods: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix
- Small amounts of comfort foods: candy, sweetened cereals, potato chips, and cookies
- Dried foods
- Instant ready-to-eat meals
- Mark a rotation date on any food container that does not already have an expiration date on the package.
- Include baby food and formula or other diet items for infants or seniors.
- Store the food in airtight, pest-resistant containers in a cool, dark place.
- Most canned foods can safely be stored for at least 18 months. Low acid foods like meat products, fruits or vegetables will normally last at least 2 years. Use dry products, like boxed cereal, crackers, cookies, dried milk or dried fruit within six months.
- After a power outage, refrigerated food will stay cold longer if you keep the door closed. Food should generally be consumed within 4 hours. Food in the freezer will normally remain safe for 2 days.
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