The Major Disaster Process
A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these steps:
- Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance;
- The State Responds with state resources, such as the National Guard and state agencies;
- Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer organizations determines losses and recovery needs;
- A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery;
- FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the state’s ability to recover;
- The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.
Complete article: Click Here
I just pulled the top ten 2009 Federal Disater Declarations. They are as follows:
06/19 Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
06/19 Oklahoma Wildfires
06/16 Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
06/16 South Dakota Severe Storms and Flooding
06/11 Alaska Flooding and Ice Jams
06/03 Alabama Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds
05/29 Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides
05/27 Florida Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds
05/15 Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
05/15 West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides
For the complete list click here.
I found a chilling press release today. The article talks about emergency bioterrorism and disaster preparedness. The program is called Mass Casualty and Terror Response in Israel - What Texas Hospitals and First Responders Can Learn.
Link to Article.
It is very brief, but captivating.
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10 June 2009 in
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Most people deny the potential of natural disasters to the point that they do not prepare for them. So most of us realize that an earthquake, tornado, or flood would be a bad thing and it makes sense to prepare for those events, yet we still do not prepare.
Here are several potential reasons why we don’t prepare.
- It will not happen to me.
- My (insert their name here) has more than enough supplies to help me out.
- If it does happen I probably won’t survive.
- If I prepare then I will make something bad happen.
- It is too costly.
- It will take too much time.
- I don’t know how to do it.
- I don’t want to turn into a “Survivalist”.
If you see a tiny bit of yourself in any of the excuses above take hope, you can do it! It will cost you much, much more if a disaster strikes and you are not prepared. Take a few baby steps and see how you feel once you have a little food put away. Learn how to close off water at your main, and shut down gas and electricity. Simple steps will go a long way to ensure the safety of your family.
Another real monstorous disater is the potential for an economic flood, or earthquake. If your earning abilities were cut for weeks or months what would you do? There is a greater potential for you to be displaced by an economic tidal wave than an earthquake. It makes more sense to be prepared today than it did a few years ago. Do the right thing, get ready.
Gas prices are going up. Is it the summer travel hike costs, or something else? And honestly do you think there is enough acerage in all of the United States to produce fuel from Corn? As farmers sell this new found fuel on the open market prices go up, and the amount of food to eat decreases.
It is a common attitude about food storage and preparation that goes like this; in troubled times we prepare. In plentifull times we wait. So now that the price of gas is down is your attitude one of preparation or wait and see?
Emergencies:
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- Cyclone Nargis May 2009
- Hurricane Ike - Sep 2008
- Hurricane Hanna - Aug 2008
- Hurricane Gustav - Aug 2008
- Tropical Storm Fay - Aug 2008
- Hurricane Dolly - Jul 2008
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Your first aid kit should be tailored to your families needs. A small cardboard box with a lid works but a hard plastic case similar to a fishing tackle box works best. Keep your kit in an easily accessible place and out of reach of small children. Remember the special needs of people in your family (extra glasses, sugar for diabetics, also diapers and baby supplies for infants).
Photo of personal emergency medical kit
BASICS:
The following items are recommended as basic items for a family first aid kit.
- Sterile gauze squares (2″, 3″, 4″)
- Roller gauze (1″, 2″, 3″)
- Plain absorbent gauze pads
- Eye dressings
- 3-Triangular bandages
- Assorted adhesive dressing(such as bandaids)
- Pair of small scissor
- Pair of tweezers
- Oral thermometer
- Tongue blades and cotton tipped applicators
- Tube of petroleum jelly
- Safety pins in assorted sizes
- Cleansing agent (soap)
- First aid hand book
- NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
- Some non-prescription drugs to be considered are as follows.
- Aspirin or acetaminophen: To reduce fever or pain
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Antacid: For stomach upset
- Emetic: To induce vomiting following poisoning.
- Laxative: High fiber foods are helpful also.
- Eye wash
- Rubbing alcohol
- Antiseptic or Hydrogen peroxide
- Vitamin supplements
BANDAGES
Bandages can be easily made from sheets torn into strips. You can use clean rags, disposable diapers and sanitary pads for dressings. Dressings can be held in place by the torn sheets, men ties or stockings. It’s not a bad idea to purchase some bandages either.
OTHER SUPPLIES
- Plastic bag for waste disposal
- Paper cups
- Spoons
- Needle and thread
- Splinting material
- Disposable diapers (can be used as dressing)
- Sanitary napkins (can be used as dressing)
- Formula (if needed for infant)
- Medicine dropper (to measure bleach for water purifying)
- Cold packs
- Hot packs
- Cotton
- Tissues
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Matches
- Pre-moistened towelettes
- Hand lotion
- Pocket knife
- Ace bandage
- Extra eye glasses
- Sunscreen lotion
SPECIAL
Special prescription medicines such as insulin, heart medicine or high blood pressure medicine. Obtain specific information from your doctor or pharmacist on labeling, storage, how much to store and how often to rotate it.
- Taylor to family needs.
- Basic first aid kit items.
- Non-prescription and prescription drugs.
- Bandages and dressings.
Your electricity should be turned off at the main switch which is usually found on the outside of your house in the main power box.
Main power box that allows you to cut the power to your home
It is just a matter of flipping a switch or two. (Depending on individual boxes). Find yours and become familiar with it. You also have a power box inside your home, which allows you to turn electricity off in certain parts of your home.
The breaker box inside your home.
You will want to turn off your electricity if you find frayed or damaged wires after a disaster or if there is risk of anyone being electrocuted.
Gas meter outside your home. This is were the gas can be turned off.
Your main gas valve is usually located on the outside of your house, next to the gas meter. It may take a special key to turn it off. The gas company will have to send its own employee to come out and turn it back on. Check with your local gas company. You will need to turn off your gas immediately if you find or smell a gas leak after a disaster. Your main water valve is located inside your home where the main water line comes into your home, usually found in the basement or crawl space. Become familiar with its location and operation. To close the main water line turn the key clockwise. You can check any cold water tap in your home to insure the main water line is closed. You will want to turn your water off if you find damaged pipes when inspecting your home after a disaster or if you need to use water out of your hot water heater for drinking or cooking.
- Know where and how to shut off all utilities in your home.
- You may need a special wrench to turn off your water or fuel.
- The power company will need to turn fuel back on for you.
- Teach other family members how to turn utilities off also.
The following is a checklist will help you prepare for almost any disaster.
The breaker box inside your home
- Gas meter outside your home. This is were the gas can be turned off.
Main Power Box
- Do you have a Survival Kit (72 hours, 3 days) including food and water, clothing, first aid supplies, transistor radio and flashlight with extra batteries?
Survival Kit for three days
- Do you know the location of water, gas and electrical shut off valves in your home? Do you have the necessary wrench handy to turn off the gas main?
- Do you have a good first aid kit in your home? In your car? Does everyone in your family know where they are located?
Personal emergency medical kit
- Do you have an ABC type fire extinguisher in your home and car? Are they easily accessible?
ABC type fire extinguisher
- Do you have a complete inventory of your belongings? Is a copy kept outside of the home in a safe place?
- Do you store important legal and family documents in a place safe from floods and other disasters?
- Do you have smoke detectors installed in each sleeping area of your home? Do they work?
Inexpensive smoke detector
- Do you have an evacuation plan in case of fire? Do you ever practice that plan?
- Is there a family meeting place chosen in case of evacuation? Does everyone in your family know its location? Have you done anything to reduce the possibility of disaster damage to your home and belongings?
Evacuation plan detailed before an emergency.
- Have you had a recent inspection of your home to identify and correct safety, fire, poison or other hazards?
- Do you keep your cars gasoline tanks at least halfway full of gas?
- Do you have some emergency supplies in your car at all times?
- Do you have emergency numbers posted near all your phones?
- Be sure to have long term food storage.
- Have an ABC type fire extinguisher in your home.
- Keep you cars gas tank at least halfway full.
- Know where and how to shut of utilities.
For each type of disaster there are things you can do to prepare your home and prevent damage to an extent. For all disasters you will need first aid kit, a Survival Kit (72 hours, 3 days) for each family member and long term food storage.
Personal emergency medical kit
Survival Kit for three days
It is very important that you have smoke detectors in every sleeping area of your home. Many disasters can cause a fire. Know your best escape routes from every room and practice them with your family. For all disasters you will need to know where you utility (gas, water) shut off valves
Gas meter outside your home. This is were the gas can be turned off.
Main Power Box
are and how to shut them off. Have a family communication plan in case your family is separated. Know the safe rooms in your home if you have a tornado or hurricane risk. Make sure you have material to quickly cover your windows if needed. Make sure pictures and tall furniture are secured to walls. Don’t forget to use a strap on your water heater to prevent it from falling over. Have your home inspected for potential hazards specific to the likely natural disaster in your area. Do everything you can think of to get prepared.
- Have smoke detectors in all sleeping areas of your home.
- Know where your utility shut off valves are and how to use them.
- Make sure you have material needed to quickly cover windows.
- Have your home inspected for potential hazards.
Major winter storms can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. To prepare, have snow removal equipment and rock salt on hand to melt ice on your walkways. Make sure you have plenty of heating fuel because regular heating sources may be cut off. Winterize your home by insulating walls and attic. Weather strip your doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover them with plastic on the inside. Be sure to have safe heating equipment such as a fireplace, wood, coal or camp stove
Propane stove
or portable kerosene heaters. (If using a kerosene heater, check with your local fire department on legality of using kerosene heaters in your town and remember to only re-fuel outside). Prevent pipes from freezing by wrapping them with insulation and letting faucets drip a little bit to avoid freezing. Know how to shut off water valves. Be sure to have your first aid kit handy.
Personal emergency medical kit
Have an ABC type of fire extinguisher.
ABC type fire extinguisher
Develop an emergency communication plan with your family in case you are separated during the storm and a plan for getting back together.
Stay indoors and dress warmly. Listen to the radio or TV for latest storm information. If you are caught outdoors, cover your mouth and protect your lungs from the cold air. Avoid over exertion because cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Keep dry and change out of wet clothing to prevent body heat loss. When shoveling snow take frequent breaks. A winter watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way. After the storm, report any downed power lines. When you go outside, proceed with caution and watch for falling snow and icicles.
- Be prepared for major winter storms.
- Winterize your home.
- Have another heating source and fuel available.
- Have disaster supplies and food storage on hand.
Some thunder storms can be seen approaching and some hit without much warning at all. It’s important to learn and recognize the danger signs and to plan ahead. Some danger signs of a thunderstorm are dark towering or threatening clouds and distant lightning and thunder. Have disaster supplies on hand such as flashlights and extra batteries, battery operated radio, first aid kit
Personal emergency medical kit
, a Survival Kit
Survival Kit for three days
(72 hours, 3 days), emergency food and water, non-electric can opener, essential medicines and some cash. Check for hazards in your yard, such as dead or rotting trees and branches that can fall during a severe thunderstorm and cause injury or damage. Teach your family how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water.
Gas meter outside your home. This is were the gas can be turned off.
Main power box that allows you to cut the power to your home
Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency and which radio station to tune into for emergency information. A severe thunderstorm watch is issued when conditions of the thunderstorm are likely to develop that have damaging winds (58 mph or more, or hail an inch in diameter or greater). A severe thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been sighted or detected by weather radar. When this happens, the danger is serious and you should go to the safest place in your home, listen to the radio or television and wait for an all clear by authorities. In case family members are separated from one another, which is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school, have a plan for getting back together. If you are indoors during the storm, secure outdoor objects, such as lawn furniture and other light things that could blow away. Close shutters if you have them. Listen to battery operated radio if electricity is out for the latest storm information. Do not handle any electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire. TVs are especially dangerous. Avoid bathtubs and water faucets because metal pipes can transmit electricity. If you are outdoors, try to get into a building or a car. If you cannot, get out in the open and squat down, low to the ground. Never stand underneath a single large tree in the open. Crouch with hands on knees. Avoid tall trees, fences and telephone wires. Stay away from bodies of water. If you are isolated on a level area and you feel your hair stand on end, which indicates that lightning is about to strike, bend forward putting your hands on your knees. A position with feet together and crouching is recommended. Do not lie flat on the ground. If you are in a car, pull to the side of the road and put your flashers on until the rain has subsided. Do not get out of your car. You can estimate the distance of a thunderstorm because light travels much faster than sound. Estimate the number of miles the storm is away from you by counting the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by five and you will have the number of miles. Remember that you are in danger of lightning if you can hear thunder. Hail may be produced by severe thunderstorms and they can be small as a blueberry or as large as a grapefruit. Hail can be very destructive to plants and for farmer’s crops. Take cover immediately and bring animals into shelter. After a storm check for injuries if necessary. A person who has been struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge. Check for breathing and pulse and perform CPR if needed. If the person is burned give first aid and call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Look for burns and damage from entrance and exit sites. Report downed electrical wires and inspect your home for damages.
- Have disaster supplies including long term food storage, first aid kit and Survival Kit (72 hours, 3 days) on hand.
- Know the difference between storm watches and warnings.
- Do not use electrical equipment during a storm.
- Have a designated meeting spot in case your family is separated.
Thunder storms and winter snowstorms can do a certain amount of damage. It a good idea to be prepared, especially if you live in an area where they happen frequently. Thunderstorms can bring heavy rain (which can cause flash flooding), strong winds, hail, lightning and tornadoes. Lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm. Many people are struck and killed by lightning each year. Some people think that lightning can’t strike twice in the same place. That’s not true, lightning can strike several times in one place in the course of one discharge. The state with the highest number of thunderstorms is Florida.
A major winter storm can be deadly. Preparing for cold weather conditions and responding to them effectively can reduce the dangers caused by winter storms. Some things to keep in mind are, wind chill is how cold it feels outside when temperature and wind speed are combined. A strong wind combined with a temperature just below freezing can be dangerous. When a winter storm watch is announced, this means that severe winter weather may affect your area. When a winter storm warning is announced, this means that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way. A blizzard warning means that large amounts of snow or blowing snow and winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for the next several hours. For details on these storms go to the specific menu.
- Lightning is a major threat during thunderstorms.
- Wind chill can make winter storms deadly.
- Winterize your home ahead of time.
It is important to carry a first aid kit with you in your car in case you come upon an accident or if you get stranded somewhere or even if you are out with your family and someone becomes injured. Your first aid kit for your car is smaller than the first aid kit recommended for your home. But it should have the following vital items in it and then any other you wish to add.
- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- 2 inch sterile gauze pads
- 4 inch sterile gauze pads
- Hypo allergenic adhesive tape
- Triangular bandages
- 2-inch sterile roller bandages
- 3 inch sterile roller bandages
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- A needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Tongue blades
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Safety pins in assorted sizes
- Cleansing soap
- At least 2 pairs of latex gloves
- Small bottle of sunscreen.
You may also include some non-prescription drugs-aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid for stomach upset, syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting if advised by a poison control center, and a laxative.
- Your auto first aid kit should be compact, yet have certain vital items.
- Put in prescription medicine that you must take.
You may find yourself in your car driving when a disaster strikes. Remember that for an earthquake, you should stay in your car and away from bridges, trees, buildings and utility wires. For a hurricane you should listen to your radio for instructions. Do not drive near the vicinity of the storm. For floods, stay away from flooded roads. Only two feet of moving water can pick your car up and swish it away. For tornadoes, never try to out drive one, they can change direction quickly and can lift up a car and toss it through the air. Get out of the car and take shelter in a nearby building or get in a ravine or ditch. It is important to carry a automobile first aid kit and Survival Kit (72 hours) kit in your car at all times.
- Listen to radio for disaster instructions.
- Stay away from flooded roads.
- Watch for downed power lines.
- Have your automobile first aid kit and Survival Kit in your car.
Obviously, during a power failure, your methods of cooking are going to change and this post will help you get prepared. You need to conserve fuel as much as possible. Consider the amount of cooking time needed for particular foods. If you have limited heat for cooking, choose foods that cook quickly. Prepare casseroles and one-dish meals or serve no-cook foods. Some methods for cooking without electricity are;
- Fireplace
- Camp stoves or charcoal burners
- Dutch ovens.
Fireplace
To cook in the fireplace, you can skewer, grill or wrap food in foil to cook it.
Camp stoves or charcoal burners
Be sure to use camp stoves and charcoal burners outside your home, and not even in your fireplace, because these stoves give off carbon monoxide and the fumes are deadly.
Dutch oven
You probably know what a Dutch oven is already, but incase you don’t, it is a heavy, flat-bottomed cast-iron kettle with a close fitting lid and sturdy handle. This cast-iron oven can be used for frying, baking, boiling, roasting and deep-frying. There are two types; one with legs for outdoor use and the one without legs for use indoors. The indoor version can be used outdoors by placing three stones underneath the oven to raise it off the fireplace coals. The lid can be turned over and used as a frying pan. One way to use it as a frying pan, is to push sticks into the ground, to hold it over coals. Another way is to turn it upside down on top of the oven itself, and put coals on aluminum foil inside the oven. The oven can be used for baking with the inside lined with foil and the oven placed on coals and put some coals on the lid of the oven also. To use it for boiling, simply fill it with water, put it over heat and add the food. For deep-frying in the Dutch oven, fill it with oil and drop either fish, poultry or meat into the oil. A Dutch oven will provide your family with a versatile tool that will come in handy when camping or surviving a disaster.
Remember, you should only cook frozen foods if you have enough heat supply for cooking, because frozen foods take considerably more cooking time and heat than canned goods. Commercial canned foods can be eaten straight from the can. Do not use home canned vegetables unless you can boil them for ten minutes before eating. To conserve water, save the liquids off the canned vegetables and then use it instead of water for cooked dishes. Drain and save juices from canned fruits and substitute it for water in salads and beverages. For your health sake, boil all water used in food preparation for at least 10 minutes. If you are without refrigeration, open only enough food containers for one meal. Some foods can be kept a short time without refrigeration. Recently cooked foods such as vegetables and meat can be kept unrefrigerated from noon until the evening meal if it is covered. If available, packaged survival or camping foods are good to have. Do not serve foods that spoil easily, such are ground meats, creamed foods, hash, custards or meat pies. These end up being a good source for bacteria growth. If necessary, substitute canned and powdered milk for fresh milk. Canned milk will keep safely for many hours after you open the can. But, if you are feeding a baby canned milk, you need to open a new can for each feeding. Only use boiled or disinfected water to mix the powdered milk in. If safe water or water disinfectants are not available, use your canned or bottled fruit juices instead of water. But remember you may have clean water in your water heater. (see water section of this CD). If you can, prepare and eat foods in their original containers so you won’t need to wash so many dishes and use so much water. Before using any dishes, pots, pans or cooking utensils that were in contact with floodwater or contaminated rainwater, wash and disinfect them. Air dry dishes. Do not dry them with a dish towel. If cupboards and food preparation surfaces were in contact with contaminated water, clean and rinse them with chlorine bleach solution before storing dishes and utensils.
- Use camp stoves, fireplace, charcoal burners and Dutch ovens to cook.
- Only use camp stoves and charcoal burners outside because of toxic fumes.
- Dutch ovens can be used in many ways.
- Choose foods that have a shorter cooking time when possible.
- Keep your first aid kit handy in case of accidents while cooking.
You should be careful when you are planning your food storage that you include all of the four food groups. The following is a list of the four food groups and foods that you can store for each group to ensure you have a healthy storage.
Dairy
The first group is Dairy. Probably the best dairy items to store are instant non-fat milk and dry eggs.
Grains
The next group is grains. There is a much larger selection of foods in this group. Store flour either white or wheat, oatmeal, cracked wheat, granola, macaroni and spaghetti.
Fruits and Vegetables
The fruit and vegetable group is a fun one. You can store gallon containers that are cheaper to buy and cover them with plastic lids after they are opened. Most all fruits are either canned or dried. Peaches, pears, pineapple, applesauce, fruit cocktail, and mandarin oranges are good selections that are canned. Bananas, apples, peaches, pineapple, berries, and raisins are good selections that are dried. Different types of beans are a good canned vegetable because they have a lot of protein. Peas, corn, carrots and potato flakes are also good choices.
Meat
The next group we will consider is meat. You can purchase several different meats in cans such as chicken, beef chunks, tuna and turkey. Dried meats are also good to store. Some people dry venison and elk meat besides the usual beef jerky.
Miscellaneous
Then there is a miscellaneous group of foods that you should store along with the essentials. Some of these foods are puddings, jams, honey and syrup, which are high calorie foods. You will also need baking items such as baking powder and soda, salt, sugar, shortening and oil. Don’t forget vitamins and minerals.
- Store foods from all groups.
- Store foods your family likes from each group.
- Remember to store foods with essential vitamins.
First you should know that the water in water pipes and toilet tanks (NOT THE BOWLS) is safe to drink if you closed the valve on the main water line before the flood or loss of the water system. Now, here is how you can use this water safely. To use the water still in pipes, turn on the faucet located in the highest point in the house usually an upstairs bathroom. This lets air into the system. Then draw water from the lowest faucet in house. Your water heater or water pressure tank could supply 30 to 60 gallons of safe water in an emergency. Before using water from the water heater, switch off the gas or electricity that heats the water. You could cause an explosion or burn out the heating elements of your water heater if you leave the heating part on while the heater is empty of water. After you turn off the gas or electricity, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Do not turn the water heater on again until the water system is back to normal service. Be sure to shut off the main water valve to protect the clean water already in your system. If possible close the valves on the water lines leaving the house. If you have ice cubes in your freezer, you can thaw them for water. Always purify your water unless you are absolutely certain your home water supply is not contaminated by flood or sewage backup. Purify all water before using it for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth or dish washing. If the water contains sediment or floating material strain it through a cloth before treating it. There are a couple ways to purify water. You can boil it or chemically treat it. To treat it by boiling, bring the water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes to kill any disease causing bacteria in the water. Then, add a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water to improve the taste. To chemically treat the water, use Chlorine Bleach such as Clorox or Purex. Household bleach is a good disinfectant for water, but you need to check the label to be sure that the active ingredient is sodium hypo chlorite at 5.25%. Do not use bleach, which contains detergents. Only treat the water chemically if you cannot boil it. Use 8 drops of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Double this dose if the water is cloudy. Mix bleach thoroughly into the water. Let it stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slightly chlorine odor. Household iodine from the medicine chest or first aid kit will purify water. The iodine should be 2% United States Pharmacopoeia (U.S.P.) strength. Add 20 drops per gallon of clear water, and 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water. Seal the container and let stand for 30 minutes. The water supply will be safe for an indefinite period. Water Purification Tablets will also purify water. Follow manufacturer’s directions. Water purification tablets are available at drug stores and camping supply departments of your local stores. You can store water ahead of time, which is recommended. You can buy jugs of water or use sterilized milk jugs with the added bleach. You will need 1 gallon of water per day, per person.
- You can use the water in your pipes and hot water heater.
- You can thaw ice cubes from your freezer for water.
- Always purify water before drinking it.
- You can chemically treat water with chlorine bleach.
Recommended foods to store are dry milk, protein rich foods, fruit and vegetables, wheat and grains and macaroni or spaghetti, calorie foods such as pudding, sugar, jams, honey, vitamins and minerals, yeast, baking powder, oils and shortening and canned meats. By including fruit, vegetable, protein rich foods, dairy and grain products, you can be assured of a nutritionally balanced diet for your family.
You can increase storage life by providing the best storage conditions. A basement or other cool area is best, especially if it is dry. Don’t store food directly on the floor in case your basement becomes flooded. If your storage conditions are not cool and dry, you will need to check your stocks more often to determine their current condition. If a product looks, smells and tastes normal, it should be useable and have most of its food value. Low-moisture products such as those listed in the Food Storage section of this CD, stay in good condition up to four or six years, but rotation and replacement every few years is recommended and a wise practice.
- Include fruits, veggies, grains, dairy and protein in your food storage.
- You will also need calorie foods such as pudding, jams and honey.
- Store it in a cool dry place.
- Do not store food directly on the floor.
There are several different types of food that you can use in your food storage. Some of these methods are;
- Pressure canning
- Water-bath canning
- Salting
- Smoking
- Drying
To use the pressure canning method, you will need a pressure canner. Use clean mason jars only, making sure there are no nicks or cracks in the rim of the jars. Before using your pressure canner, inspect the petcock safety valve and rims. Have the pressure gauge tested annually according to the manufacturer directions. If the canner or lid has been dropped, don’t use it because hairline cracks may not be visible and when under pressure it could cause it to explode. Use the pressure canner according to its instructions.
The water-bath canning method is used to can high acids foods such as pickles, fruits, jams and tomatoes. Fruits should be peeled, pitted and cut into slices or serving-size chunks. They can be treated to prevent darkening with Ascorbic acid, or by soaking for a few minutes in a solution of two tablespoons each of vinegar and salt in one gallon of water. Jams are made from crushed fruits and sweetener. Foods to be pickled, except cucumbers are briefly boiled then heated in a vinegar solution which may contain spices or sweetener. Tomatoes should be peeled and then cut in half. The easy way to do this is to pour boiling water over the tomatoes and then the peels just slip off. Tomatoes are fairly acidic but a teaspoon of salt should be added to each jar.
Dry salting for storage is different than curing meats. First, you steam or boil the vegetables for ten minutes, Mix four cups of food with one cup of salt. Then pack it into crocks or containers and cover with cheese cloth. Brine should form within 4 hours. Store in a cool place and it should be finished in 3 to 5 weeks. Scrape off any foam that may form on top.
Hot smoking, 10 degrees or higher, is used to prepare foods for immediate rather than long term storage. Cold smoking, keeping the food in 70 to 120 degree smoke is used for preparing storage. The food is dried and flavored in the process. Afterwards it should be stored in a cool dry place. Making quality smoked foods needs to be learned. You can buy smokers or learn to build your own homemade smoker.
Drying is one of the easiest methods of preserving food. All vegetables should be blanched in boiling water or in stem for 3 to 7 minutes to inactivate enzymes to prevent changes in the food after it is dried. Fruits should be halved or sliced, then treated with citric acid to prevent darkening. You can also soak fruits for 10 minutes in a gallon of cold water with a tablespoon of salt and of vinegar to prevent darkening.
The most satisfactory way to establish a food storage reserve is to store those foods that permit normal menus with long storage life. Some people use a combination of wet-pack and low-moisture foods. It is probably easiest to use a list for one person and then multiply that by the number of people you have in your family.
Consider any special needs your individual family members may have, such as an infant who would needs formula or others who have unique medical needs.
The following is a suggested 12 month supply for one person using low-moisture and wet-pack items.
Group #1
- Milk (2 servings daily) Approximately 38 lbs. Of non-fat dry milk.
Group #2
- Protein (2 servings daily)
- 9 to 12 1 gallon cans of textured vegetable protein (meat like product). Part or all of this can be multipurpose food, 1 to 3 1 gallon cans of whole egg solids (8dozen eggs per can).
- Bouillon and gravy for flavoring.
Group #3
- Fruit and vegetable (4 daily servings)
- 6 to 8 1 gallon cans of fruit (your choice).
- 2 to 3 1 gallon cans granulated potatoes (12 to 18 lbs.) or an equivalent weight of potato flakes.
- 12 1 gallon can of vegetables (your choice).
Group #4
- Bread and cereal (4 daily servings)
- 140 to 200lbs. Of wheat .
- 4 to 6 one gallon cans of other grain foods such as rice, corn meal, oats macaroni or spaghetti.
Group #5 Miscellaneous
- Store approximately 12 lbs. of oils and 50 lbs. of sugar items such as pudding, gelatin desserts, sugar, jam, honey, syrups and other calorie items.
- Vitamins and minerals.
- Breakfast drinks.
- Yeast, baking powder for baking.
- Meat, fish and poultry canned or freeze dried.
- Salt and seasonings.
- Plastic lids to re-close opened, partially used cans.
- Margarine and shortening.
- Water and water purification tablets.
This reference contains enough food for one person for 12 months or of course it would feed two people for 6 months or three people for 4 months etc.
Food storage is more important than most people think. A reserve of food serves as a practical form of insurance protecting you and your family against occurrences of food shortages, natural disasters, unemployment, strikes and loss of income through personal illness or injury. You should be prepared for any type of natural disaster or misfortune with long-term food storage and emergency preparedness items. You need to remember to store what you use and use what you store. Many people store foods that have little to do with their every day meals. Often times this food doesn’t get eaten in rotation and ends up outdated and in the garbage. Try to store mostly low-moisture foods. Most bacteria and chemical changes that cause foods to deteriorate or spoil develop only in the presence of moisture and oxygen. Careful planning and rotation of food storage is mandatory. Wheat, dry milk, sugar or honey, salt, beans, rice, oats and other grains are good food storage items to include. A years supply of food for one person usually consists of 300 lbs. of wheat, 75 lbs. of dry milk, 60 lbs. of honey or 100 lbs. of sugar and 5 lbs. of salt. Recipe books emphasizing these types of foods are available in most book stores.
- You should be prepared for any type of natural disaster.
- You should have long term food storage and emergency preparedness items.
- Store low moisture foods and wet pack foods.
- Remember to rotate you food storage.
Give first aid where appropriate. Seriously injured or burned people should be transported to professional medical help immediately. Take roll and make sure everyone is accounted for. Help bring to the attention of medical personnel, any injured person. Do not re-enter the home or building until you get the O.K. from fire officials. Look for and take pictures of structural damage. Throw away food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot. Contact your insurance agent. Remember not to discard damaged goods until inventory has been taken.
- Give first aid where needed.
- Make sure every one is accounted for.
- Do not re-enter the burning structure.
- When you do re-enter your home, check for structural damage.
During a fire, never try to take valuables with you. Get out as quickly as possible. To escape during a fire use the fall and crawl. It is easier to breathe in a fire if you stay low while getting out since smoke rises. Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to use another way out. If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. If you are on an upper floor and cannot crawl out the window, signal for help using a bright colored cloth at the widow. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are. If your clothes catch fire, immediately stop, drop and roll, until the fire is out. Running around makes your clothes burn faster. As soon as you get out, run to a neighbor’s house to use the phone and call your local emergency number, usually 911. Go to your meeting place outside the house. Remember, if anyone is missing, do not run back into the house. Report to the firefighters so they can rescue the missing person.
- Never take time to take valuables with you.
- To escape use the fall and crawl method.
- Do not run back into a burning house.
- Call your local emergency number from a neighbors house.
First, you need to install smoke detectors on every floor of your home, especially near bedrooms. Make sure you replace the battery at least once a year. Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month. Regularly check for fire hazards in your home. Make sure your windows are not stuck and that the screens can be taken out easily. If you have smokers in your home, they should use heavy safety ashtrays and discard ashes and butts in sealed containers or the toilet. Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen. But have it located on the opposite side of the kitchen from your oven. You don’t want to be reaching over a fiery stove to get to the extinguisher. Get together with your family and establish escape routes. You need to have two escape routes from each room. Practice these escape routes with your family. Establish a meeting place outside your home so your family will know where to go. Tell your children to never run back inside the house looking for other family members. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They have special clothing and equipment for saving people. To make learning the escape routes fun for your children, you may try helping them to draw an escape maze. This will also help them to remember it. You should practice your escape routes every year. Teach your family that in a fire, you should never hide in closets even though it may be frightening. The best thing to do is go outside. Make sure everyone in your family knows your local emergency number. Put stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on your refrigerator and every telephone in the house. If there is a fire at your house, choose one family member to leave your meeting place and call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone.
Remember fire safety during the holidays. Choose a tree with fresh needles that are green and don’t break off easily. Make sure your tree is not old before you purchase it by bouncing the trunk on the ground. If a lot of needles fall off it has probably been cut too long ago and is dried out. Do not place your tree next to heater vents, fire places or wood burning stoves. The heat will dry it out quicker and it will be easily ignitable. Inspect your holiday lights before hanging them. Be sure there aren’t any frayed wires or bare spots. Never leave holiday lights on unattended. Don’t overload your electrical outlets and don’t link more than three light strands, unless the directions say it’s safe. If you use candles, make sure they are in stable candle holders and put them where they cannot be easily knocked over.
- Teach your family escape routes from each room in your house.
- Practice using them with your children often.
- Put stickers with emergency numbers on all your phones.
- Teach your children to never hide during a fire.
Fire is fast. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get out of control and turn into a major fire. Thick black smoke can fill a house in minutes and quickly have a house engulfed in flames. Most home fires happen when people are asleep. When you wake up to a fire there is no time to grab valuables. There is only time to escape. Room temperatures in a fire can rise to 600 degrees at face level and inhaling this extremely hot air can scorch your lungs. It can melt your clothes. So, remember that the heat from the fire alone can kill. Fire starts out to be bright but it quickly produces a thick black smoke which causes complete darkness. Fire uses up oxygen that we need to breathe and produces toxic gases that can make you sleepy, disoriented and short of breath. Sometimes these colorless fumes can put you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door, so you may not wake up in time to get out. Preparedness and prevention is definitely the key.
- Room temperatures in a fire can get to 600 degrees at face level.
- Inhaling extremely hot air can scorch your lungs.
- Heat from a fire can melt your clothes.
- Fire produces toxic gases that make you sleepy.
First you need to help any injured people and give first aid. Don’t try to move a seriously injured person unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Listen to your battery operated radio for the latest emergency information. If you are not home, stay out of damaged buildings and don’t return home until authorities say its O.K. Only use the telephone for emergency calls. If you are at home, clean up any toxic spills such as gasoline, bleach or medicine. Check for gas leaks and if you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, open the windows, leave the house and turn off the main valve outside. Check for broken or frayed wires and turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker if you find damage. Check for sewage and water line damage by inspecting the sewage line pipes. If you find damage, do not use the toilet, contact the water company and the plumber. Take pictures of the inside and outside of your home for insurance purposes. You will be glad to have your tornado kits and food storage since it may be days till you can get to the store and prices will be high. If your home is safe and not too damaged, set up a station to have your tornado kit supplies, cooking supplies, first aid things and food storage.
- First help injured people, keep your first aid kit handy.
- Listen to battery operated radio for latest information.
- Check home for hazards.
- Take pictures of damage.
Quickly get into the basement, cellar or lowest level of your home or building you are in. If there isn’t a basement, go to an inner hallway or a small inner room, such as a bathroom or closet. Stay away from windows. Flying glass can be deadly. Stay away out from under heavy objects like pianos or refrigerators on the floor above you. Go to the center of the room and stay away from corners because debris tends to find it’s way there. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture and hold onto it. If you are in a mobile home, get out and find shelter somewhere. Don’t take shelter under your mobile home. If you are outdoors, try to get inside a building. If there is no nearby shelter, get into a ditch or ravine. Crouch down and use your arms to protect your head and neck. If you are in a car, never try to out drive the tornado. They can change directions quickly and toss you and your vehicle into the air. In a vehicle, is one of the least desirable places to be during a tornado. Get out of your car and find shelter in a building.
- Quickly go to designated safe room.
- Have a Survival Kit (72 hours, 3 days) and first aid kit with you.
- Get under a piece of sturdy furniture.
- If you are outside, get into a ditch or ravine and crouch down.
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