Whether you’re stuck in your home due to a snowstorm, flood, or shelter-in-place order, you’ll need to have the pantry stocked with the essentials.
Below, we’ll go over the pantry supplies you should have on hand for an emergency.
Covering the Basics
A top consideration in preparing these provisions is discerning how many days you should prepare for ahead of time. It’s recommended by the American Red Cross to keep a two-week supply of emergency rations and clean drinking water to cover every household member’s needs. It’s also important to account for the food and water needs of any household pets.
When this food is close to expiring, it should be rotated into your current inventory and replaced with fresh items. That way, your emergency pantry always has a good stockpile.
It’s advised to check the supplies at least twice annually. To make remembering this task easier, you could schedule it on the same days each year, such as during daylight savings time.
Water Is the Main Priority
Each person who will be sheltering needs to have a gallon of water each day. Households in warm climate or members who are pregnant or ill may need additional water.
Most animals need roughly one ounce of water per pound in weight each day. For instance, if your cat weighs eight pounds, you’ll want to allot one cup of water per day for the cat.
Of course, not all that water is for drinking. Some will be used for cooking, mixing with powdered foods, and taking care of personal hygiene matters.
As water is used during the emergency, be sure to mark the containers to distinguish between potable and non-potable water. Furthermore, it’s recommended to keep powdered drink additives with necessary electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals to make the water more appealing and beneficial.
Shelf-Stable Food
There are a lot of options when it comes to items with a long shelf life. While a bug-out bag should have dry goods that are light in weight, the emergency pantry ought to be stocked with a mix of canned and dry goods.
Examples of ready-to-eat dry goods include protein bars, dried fruits, nuts, trail mix, jelly, peanut butter, and fortified cereals. These are great for snacking — especially for children — and may be prepackaged into smaller portions if you have a bulk bag and vacuum sealer.
For canned goods, it’s advised to opt for high protein items, such as canned chicken and tuna. Protein-rich vegetables have the added benefit of being palatable when eaten cold.
These might include green beans, peas, and carrots as well as some canned fruits. Canned soups, stews, and chilis also make great emergency rations if you have a heat source.
Never cook indoors on a camp stove, kerosene heater, or grill with an open flame as these have the potential for asphyxiation or fire.
If the thought of only eating room temperature food is unappealing, you should think about investing in a backup home generator.
The right automated system could provide your family with electricity to cook food, charge batteries, and stay warm when the power goes out.
Consider reaching out to a trusted generator installation service to get the most optimal match for your home and household’s needs.
Miscellaneous Supplies
Once you’ve stored plenty of food and water, there are a few other important items to keep in the emergency pantry. A sturdy, manual can opener is key, along with certain spices, including salt, pepper, and other seasonings to add flavor to bland food and keep everyone in good spirits.
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Lastly, all these items will be hard to eat without plates, cups, and utensils. Whether you opt for disposable, camping, or inexpensive reusable dishes, make sure there is enough to go around. The same goes for a first aid kit and personal hygiene items.
While it’s difficult to be prepared for every scenario, setting up an emergency pantry is a great first step. Look to this quick guide to provide a great starting point in your journey toward disaster preparedness.
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Image credit: what to stock in your pantry for an emergency by envato.com
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