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Food Items Needed During Hurricane

Information Provided By Civil Defense

Food Choices
  • Buy foods that can be eaten with little or no cooking. (i.e. canned goods and non-perishible items)
  • Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in your home.
  • Close food boxes and cans tightly after use.
  • Wrap bread, cookies, or crackers in plastic bags or keep them in tightly closed containers.
  • Use plastic containers when storing food, and buy emergency food in cans.
  • Keep clean plastic containers on hand to store 1/2 gallon of water for each person per day.
  • Have a special section of the food cupboard set aside for emergency food, so that it is easier to manage, and can be packed quickly if there is a need to evacuate.
  • Rotate food every 6 months.
  • Purifying Water
  • Boiling: Boil water vigorously for 1 to 3 minutes. To improve taste, pour water from one clean container to another several times.
  • Purification tablets: These are available at most drug stores. Follow the directions on the package carefully.
  • Bleach purification: Liquid household bleach can be used to purify water. It must contain hypochlorite, preferably 5.24 percent; add the amount listed below, then stir and mix. Let water stand 30 minutes before drinking.
  • For 1 gallon of water: If water is clear add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon). If water is cloudy add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon).
  • For 5 gallons of water: If water is clear add 1/2 teaspoon. If water is cloudy add 1 teaspoon.
  • Powdered flavored beverage mix may be added t offset the chlorine taste.
  • Preparing Meals
  • Disposable plates, forks, spoons, and knives
  • Disposable hot and cold cups
  • Paper napkins or towels
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Trash bags
  • Sterno heater, hibachi or camp stove with 5-day fuel supply
  • Matches in waterproof container
  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Other utensils i.e. cutting knifes, available at home
  • Ziplock bags for food storage
  • Paper or plastic garbage bags
  • If You Know You'll Lose Power Ahead Of Time:
  • Use the perishable food in the refrigerator and freezer first.
  • Make extra ice.
  • Freeze extra freeza-pack inserts and keep them frozen for emergencies.
  • Buy a cooler.
  • Freeze water in plastic containers. (Do not fill containers to top before freezing.)
  • Know in advance where you can buy dry and block ice. 25 pounds of dry ice should hold a 10-cubic foot freezer cold for 3-4 days.
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