Food storage, a lifesaver during disasters

Food storage can seem overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to store a month’s worth per person. That’s 2000 calories per person per day. Luckily we have options for helping us reach that goal

Grocery Stores

The food from grocery stores can be stored in its original packaging on a shelf, allowing you to rotate your supplies easily. However, the food in your refrigerator or freezer will need to have a backup generator ready to go if the power goes out.

Survival Food Companies

Survival food companies commonly dehydrated or freeze-dried their products and package them in sealed protective containers that you can store for years; some are even stackable.

Our Gardens

Food from our gardens or orchards can be stored in a variety of ways:

In canning jars. Canning is an important, safe method for preserving and storing food. The canning process involves placing foods in jars or similar containers and heating them to a temperature that destroys micro-organisms. During this heating process, air is driven out of the jar. As it cools, a vacuum seal is formed. There are two safe ways of canning food, the boiling water bath method, and the pressure canner method.

In a root cellar. Storing food in a root cellar is done by paying close attention to your crop varieties, your timing for harvest, and the best storage conditions for each type of fruit or vegetable. Generally, you’ll have food that stores well in a cold, damp environment and food that needs slightly warmer, drier conditions.

In a spring house. If you have a spring or stream on your property, a springhouse could be used to store some foods. It is made from a small building, usually of a single room, constructed over a spring to keep food and liquids cool. The water from the spring or stream maintains a constant cool temperature inside the spring house throughout the year. Food that would otherwise spoil, such as meat, fruit, or dairy products, could be kept there to increase your food storage.

In seed form. While storing food as seeds will not provide you with food right away, It can be a lifesaver during a long-term disaster lasting months or years.

No matter where you get your food, you can increase the lifespan of some of it by storing it in vacuum-sealed bags or mylar bags.

The 3 U’s, Upkeep – Update – Uncompress

You’ve got your basic survival, bug-out, vehicle, and location kits, so you’re done, right? Wrong! You still need to schedule The 3 U’s because disasters don’t strike every day, and your survival kits are likely to sit for months or even years unused.

Upkeep your gear. Cleaning and making sure your equipment is in working order will ensure it stays usable.

Update your gear. Things expire, batteries, food, MEDs, etc. all go bad at some point. Making sure they are up to date will eliminate any surprises when disaster strikes.

Uncompress your gear. Things tend to get a little squashed when packed in your kits. Sleeping bags fill this effect the most. Make sure to take items like this out of your kit from time to time and let them uncompress.

Survival kit, how to make one for your family

A survival kit is a package of basic tools and supplies prepared in advance as an aid to survival in an emergency, and come in a variety of sizes.

● An everyday carry kit is small and can be carried with you.

● A daypack (GHB) kit is small, meant to get you home.

● A Backpack (BOB), is only limited by the weight you can carry.

● A Vehicle Kit is a survival/auto repair kit combination.

● A Location kit is large and used at home or a bug-out-location.

To make your kits, start by building your everyday carry kit first, then start on your (GHB) kit and so on. Create kits that you like by looking at each item and deciding on the ones that will work best for you. Increase the number of supplies for larger kits.

Basic Every Day Carry

Knife

Fire Steel

Fish Hook

Paracord

Compass

Whistle

First aid kit

Basic Get-Home-Bag

Basic everyday carry plus:

Purification tablets or microfilter

Water

Food

Tube tent

Emergency blanket

Small medical kit

Cooking Kit

Hygiene kit

Rain gear

Cash

Solar/Dynamo radio

Self Defense Weapon

Flashlight

Basic Bug-Out-Bag

Basic get-home-bag plus:

Backpacking tent

Sleeping bag

Documents

Binoculars

Large medical kit

GPS + Paper Maps

Flashlight

Two-way radios

Also Recommended – Portable ham radio

Basic vehicle Kit

Basic get-home-bag plus:

Flat tire kit

Tools + Electrical kit

Jumper Cables

Extra clothing

Basic Location Kit

Components of all three of the previous kits plus:

Small generator

Small solar panels

Lanterns/Candles

Fuel

Cast Iron cooking kit

Construction tools

Tarps

Cleaning supplies

Note: These are the basics, add what you need, and always duplicate items when you can. You should always plan as if a third of your supplies might fail.

Bugging-out, how do you know when its time to go

Leaving your home or bugging-out during a disaster should be a last resort, but you may have to if things become life-threatening.

So when should you go?

Obviously, you should go when a disaster is about to wipe out your home; after all, the number one way to survive a disaster is by moving out of its way. But what about a tragedy that leaves your home intact?

What then?

Here are a few signs to go by.

Power is out

The disaster is local; crews are working to restore power, and neighbors are working together.

This is not the time to leave. Work with your neighbors to protect your street.

Power is out

The disaster is widespread, crews are not working in your area to restore power, but neighbors are working together. And relief agencies have set up supply stations for food and water.

A situation like this is a toss-up. If you have a retreat location, you could go. Or you could stay and work with your neighbors.

Power is out

The disaster is widespread; crews are not working in your area to restore power, neighbors are not working together, and relief agencies have not set up supply stations for food and water.

This is the time to leave if you have a retreat location. But it may be better to stay home if you do not. Moving to a hidden safe room will be your best bet if you have one.