Tag: Emergency Preparedness

Supplies to Have Enough of While Quarantined

Posted on by Boden

Being prepared and proactive is best in the event of any emergency, not just a Coronavirus quarantine. As a global community, it’s important to share helpful information to help manage our lives through this uncertain time. In the spirit of helpful sharing, here is a list of Supplies to Have Enough of While Quarantined.

Medications

If you or your family members take any prescription medications, stock up now. Try to have at least a 30-day supply on hand if possible. Even if you use mostly natural remedies (like fire cider or lemon honey cough drops), it’s helpful to have some over the counter (OTC) medications for symptoms like high fevers. Check your medicine cabinet for these commonly used medications: ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), cough medication, cold medicine, and the pink stuff (you know, Pepto Bismol). It’s best to have these all now just in case they’re difficult to get later.

Food

Homesteaders often already have preserved foods and essentials on hand. Even gardens are getting started for the year. But, is it enough? Assess your pantry for these basic (and some not so basic) food staples:

  • Dried foods (rice, pasta, beans, oats, cereal, nuts, fruits)
  • Canned and dried meats (tuna, salmon, chicken, jerky)
  • High-protein meat alternatives (tofu, chickpeas, lentils)
  • Baking ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar)
  • Dairy and/or non-dairy alternatives (milk, cheese, yogurt, almond milk, coconut milk)
  • Comfort food (chocolate, candy, snacks, coffee)
  • Livestock feed and pet food

Emergency Supplies

Currently, there are no signs of power outages or water shortages. Even so, first aid and emergency supplies are always a must in any home at any time. From band-aids to flashlights, it never hurts to have these items in a central location in your home. Sterilize any unused glass bottles, fill with boiled water and store away. If you have any empty mason jars, you might as well put them to good use. Water is the most important resource, so it’s a must  – even if it’s just in case.

This isn’t an exhaustive list since different families have varying needs. For example, be sure to include items unique to dietary restrictions in your family. Now, take a deep breath. Panic and fear are not helpful during the Coronavirus pandemic.  Checking to make sure you have these items mean you’re taking proactive measures to protect yourself and your families. Stay safe and I hope this guide for Supplies to Have Enough of While Quarantined was helpful.

How to Stockpile Supplies for an Unexpected Event

Posted on by House & Homestead

No one wants to be unprepared for a natural disaster or emergency. But most people don’t bother to stockpile supplies because they don’t know how to get started. Begin with the basic essentials like water, food and first aid supplies. Most people stockpile for a few days, but once you do that, expand your stockpile to a week, and then two weeks – and so on. It is far better to have too many supplies than not enough.

1. Start with a Plan

How much do you need to store? How many days or months of supplies do you need? The answer depends on the kind of emergency that’s most likely to happen in your area. That will determine your best plan to stockpile supplies.

The Department of Homeland Security recommends a basic emergency supply kit with enough food and water for every family member for 72 hours. That includes:

  • One gallon of water for each person per day.
  • Enough canned or nonperishable food to feed everyone for three days.
  • A flashlight and batteries
  • A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
  • Basic first-aid supplies

2. Make Water a Priority

The goal is to have one gallon of water per day for each person in your family. In fact, if you have to choose, stockpile water rather than food. Both are essential, but people can only live three days without water, while they can survive three weeks without food. You can save commercially-bottled water or store tap water in your own bottles. Either way, be sure to follow these safety recommendations:

  • If you use tap water, replace it every six months.
  • If you use commercial water, check the expiration dates and replace it regularly.
  • Store a bottle of unscented liquid chlorine bleach with your water supply for sanitizing and disinfecting water. Don’t use scented bleach or types with color-safe or cleaning additives. Look for a bleach label that says the product is safe for disinfecting water.

3. Buy in Bulk

You can save a lot of time and money by buying in bulk to stockpile supplies. Here are some foods that are nutritional and give you the most food value for the buck:

  • Peanut butter
  • Whole wheat crackers
  • Nuts and trail mix
  • Cereal
  • Power bars and granola bars
  • Dried fruit
  • Canned meat such as tuna, salmon, chicken and turkey
  • Cans of vegetables such as beans, carrots and peas
  • Canned soups and chili
  • Sports drinks
  • Sugar, salt and pepper
  • Powdered milk
  • Multivitamins

4. Save Seeds for Sprouting

Seeds, beans and nuts for sprouting are a healthy addition to your stockpile. You can sprout fresh greens in a Mason jar. Be careful, since sprouts can become contaminated with dangerous bacteria such as E. coli, so learn how to safely make and consume sprouts.

5. In the Case of an Expected Event

Is the news bad? If you know an emergency event is heading your way or could happen, go out and gather the following:

  • Apples
  • Citrus
  • Winter squash
  • Unripe avocado
  • Potatoes
  • Sweet potatoes and yams
  • Unripe tomatoes
  • Dry salami, which lasts up to six weeks without refrigeration

6. Stockpile Supplies of Dried Foods

Dried foods tend to take up less space than canned and some last longer, too. Cans and granola bars are good for a short while, but stockpiling for weeks or months means you need to include:

  • Starchy Foods: Flour, rice, sugar, cornmeal, popcorn, pasta, dried potato flakes and oatmeal
  • High Protein Foods: Powdered milk and eggs, beans, lentils, canned fish and meat, nuts, seeds, dry and powdered cheese and boxed tofu
  • Nutrition-Dense Foods: Canned pumpkin and tomatoes, dried fruit and dried vegetable soup mix
  • Flavorings: Chocolate, cooking oils, salsa, jam, seasonings, spices, yeast and salt
  • Beverages: Tea, coffee and powdered beverage mixes

7. Rotate Your Stockpile Supplies

To make sure your stored food is safe to eat when you need it, pay attention to the shelf life. Rotate foods near the end of their shelf life by using them in your meals and adding fresh foods to the stockpile. When you properly store it, stockpile supplies can last a long time. Check the packaging for expiration dates and revolve your foods.

Be prepared by learning how to stockpile supplies and manage them. You’ll have more peace of mind knowing your family is safe in any event.