8 Preparedness Tips

For the normal city folk….

• Goals – Before you go on a shopping spree, make sure you have a plan of action. How much food do you need? How much water should you have on hand? The Department of Homeland Security recommends you have a basic emergency supply kit that includes enough food and water for each of your household members for at least 72 hours. Other supplies on their list include a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and basic first-aid supplies and a can opener. Make a list and stick to it.
• Water – People go crazy buying water don’t they? But, one mistake you can do is to forget to look at the expiration dates on the water. If you do happen to have old water, you don’t have to dump it. You can save it, add a little bleach and use it for cleaning and disinfecting.
• Bulk Supplies – Buying bulk will save you money, but don’t do what I did years ago. I bought random items that I wouldn’t normally use to cook with so I ended up giving many bags of food away. It’s always good to have basics on hand.
• Nutrition – Nutrition is Important. Don’t stock up on a bunch of sugar. Our bodies need healthy foods.
  • Pancake Mix – Purchase the pancake mix that you only have to add water to. Most pancake mix has added vitamins to it.
  • Powdered Milk – Hey, it doesn’t taste great alone, but you can use it for cooking and if you pour it in cereal, you won’t notice a big difference because the cereal taste will help mask the flavor of the powdered milk.
  • Cereal – You can snack on it dry or add milk.
  • Peanut Butter – Peanut Butter is high in protein and other nutrients. It has a pretty long shelf life.
  • Baking Supplies – Flour, sugar, baking soda/powder, salt, pepper, seasonings. You can make your own bread, biscuits, etc.
  • Canned Meat
  • Protein Bars
  • Dried Fruit
  • Nuts
  • Canned chili, soup, etc
  • Trail Mix
  • Whole wheat crackers
• Seeds – If you’re really motivated and want to prepare for the very worst, make sure you have seeds on hand so you can plant your own little garden. If you don’t have space for a garden, you can use pots to plant some veggies in.
• Fresh is Best – Apples, citrus and potatoes last quite a while if you keep them cool. You can also can these items yourself if you know how.
• Rotate Your Food – Make sure you rotate your food supply to ensure foods won’t just sit there and expire.
• Medications – If you or a family member need medications, make sure you have extra. It’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand.