If you’re planning to prepare for a disaster, one of the most important things to consider is how to store and preserve food.
While it’s important to have enough water and emergency supplies, it will be useless if you don’t have anything to eat in the days following a disaster.
In this post we’ll cover what kinds of foods can be stored for long periods of time and how best to keep them safe from pests or spoiling during an emergency.
Before the incident
Before the incident
- Create an emergency kit and make sure you can get it quickly in an emergency.
- Locate a shelter near your home or work that will be open during an emergency (this may be a school, church or community center).
- Learn about what to do if there is an earthquake, fire or other disaster that could threaten your safety. Know how to shut off gas lines and electrical circuits at the main switches in your home so they don’t become live again when power returns after an outage. Also learn where fire extinguishers are located in case of fire; learn how to use one if needed!
If you live in a mobile home, learn how to secure it properly and make sure that it has been inspected recently by a certified inspector. If you live in an apartment building or other multi-unit structure, learn where fire extinguishers are located and how they work.
Get to know your neighbors and let them know if you are going to be away from home. When an emergency does occur, your neighbors may be able to alert you if there is a problem at your house or apartment.
During the incident
- Keep the food in a cool, dry place.
- Make sure the storage area is clean, dry and dark (if you’re using a bag).
- Don’t store your food in an area that’s too hot or cold. Heat will cause it to spoil more quickly; cold temperatures can freeze foods solid and make them impossible to thaw without spoiling them further.
- Avoid storing your food in humid areas like basements or damp cellars–humidity can promote mold growth on stored items like grains and legumes that are susceptible to such growth
If you’re storing food in freezers, make sure the temperature is set at 0°F (or below). If it’s above that level, the food will begin to thaw, which can lead to spoilage. You should also rotate your frozen foods every few months so that you’re using up old items and making room for new ones.
After the incident
Once you’ve dealt with the immediate aftermath of your disaster, it’s time to move on. Here are some things you should do:
- Rebuild your house or apartment if it was destroyed by fire or flood damage. You may need to rebuild a wall or two and replace broken windows, but this can be done by hiring contractors who specialize in this kind of work.
- Repair any damage caused by water leaks or mold growth inside your home (if applicable). If there is any structural damage that needs fixing before you can start living there again–and especially if there were mold spores present during the incident–you should call an expert contractor immediately! They’ll know what steps need taken before anyone else does; don’t try doing anything yourself unless they tell you otherwise first!
- Clean everything inside thoroughly so nothing remains from before (especially if there was some sort of toxic substance involved). This includes washing all surfaces down with soap/water solution as well as vacuuming floors/carpets thoroughly enough so no dust remains either.”
If there were any toxic substances involved, you should clean your home with a soap/water solution before getting rid of all remaining debris. You may also want to hire someone who specializes in cleaning up after fires and floods; they’ll know exactly what steps need taken before anyone else does.
If you want to survive a natural disaster, it’s important to have a plan in place…
In order to survive a natural disaster, it’s important to have a plan in place. You can’t just wing it when you’re trying to save your life and the lives of your family members. There are several steps you need to take before, during and after an emergency situation occurs.
First, determine what type of natural disaster might occur where you live. Hurricanes are common along coastal areas like Florida; tornadoes strike many parts of the country; earthquakes happen along fault lines like California’s San Andreas Fault; wildfires burn through forests in California and other states with dry climates (like Arizona).
Once you know what kind of calamity might hit your area–and when its most likely time frame is–you can start thinking about how best to prepare yourself for it by stocking up on food storage supplies such as nonperishable canned goods or freeze dried foods (which don’t need refrigeration) that will keep indefinitely until opened as long as they’re sealed properly in airtight containers like Mylar bags or 5 gallon buckets lined with plastic wrap so oxygen doesn’t get inside them while being stored away from heat sources like stoves/ovens etcetera…
It’s also a good idea to have a supply of water on hand for each member of your family (at least one gallon per day per person). You may need to boil it for at least three minutes before drinking it to kill off any bacteria or viruses that may be present.
The Last Word
The key to successfully storing and preserving food during a disaster is to have a plan in place. You should store your food in a cool, dry, and dark place, avoid humid areas, and make sure the temperature of your freezers is set at 0°F or below. It’s also important to know how to secure your home, know your neighbors, and learn what to do in an emergency.
After the disaster, make sure to clean your home thoroughly, repair any damage, and rebuild if necessary. In order to survive a natural disaster, you need to know what type of disaster might occur in your area and have a supply of non-perishable food and water on hand. A well-thought-out plan and preparation can ensure the safety and survival of you and your loved ones during a disaster.
