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- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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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Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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