Food And Water Tips When A Natural Disaster Strikes

12 April 2016
 Categories: Food & Cooking, Blog

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Emergencies such as hurricanes, wildfires, tornados, and serious snow storms can have a big impact on the public's health and safety. Proper preparation is the key when it comes to ensuring that your family has the resources needed to weather the storm. When it comes to having access to ample food and water, there are some things you can do to maintain your food and water supply until you're able to replenish.

Keeping Food Fresh

It's always a good idea to freeze some food in advance so you'll have it in case of a power outage. Group some prepared meals together in plastic bags that can easily be thawed and eaten in the event of a natural disaster. Dry ice is a great way to keep food fresh, so have a phone number for an emergency supplier like United City Ice Cube posted in case you need it. Since the ice in your freezer will quickly melt when the power goes out, using dry ice stored in a cooler is a viable alternative that can help preserve food for a much longer period of time. You can also put it inside of your refrigerator or freezer to provide an extra source to keep foods colder, longer.

Water Safety

Water is essential for survival. However, natural disasters can make getting access to clean, drinkable water difficult. Store two gallons of clean bottled water for every person in your household in a pantry or garage so you'll have a backup source if needed. If you do not have ample room to store the water, you may need to distill your own before drinking it. You can create clean water by boiling some on a fire or stove top for at least one minute. If you have a gas stove, it should be able to be used even in a power outage. Let the water cool before consuming it. 

Avoid Food & Water Hazards

Always ensure that the food and water you consume is safe. Damaged or dented cans should be discarded to avoid getting sick. Dry goods like pasta and rice are an ideal option as long as they're stored in an airtight container to prevent insects or bacteria from getting to them. If you're the victim of a flood, never consume food or water that has come in contact with flood waters, even if they're in a sealed container. Check all food to make sure it's still good before eating it. You can do this by smelling it and looking at it carefully before eating. Since refrigerators and freezers can only stay cold for a limited amount of time, food can spoil rather quickly in a natural disaster scenario. By being vigilant, you can ensure that your family will have access to clean drinking water and food that's safe to eat until the emergency is over.