Friday, November 7, 2008

Emergency Preparedness

The following lists contain suggested items that are intended for use in an unexpected emergency where you are forced to leave your home abruptly for an extended period of time. These items should be packed together in a tote or bag that can easily be snatched up and carried in a hurry.

Fast Emergency Items
  • cell phone/HAM radio/CB radio
  • clothing
  • cash in small bills ($5's and $10's)
  • medications
  • matches
  • lantern with extra fuel
  • flashlight
  • batteries
  • toiletries
  • first-aid kit
  • tent
  • combo knife (Leatherman)
  • Boy Scout Handbook
  • Red Binder: A waterproof zip-up pocket binder that contains either copies or originals of
  • ID (Driver's License/Passport)
  • Birth Certificates
  • Social Security Cards
  • Marriage License
  • Updated Individual and Family Pictures
  • Emergency Phone Numbers
  • Addresses of Family and Friends


Fast Emergency Food Supplies
  • granola
  • dried fruit and vegetables
  • bottled water
  • jerky
  • multi-vitamins
  • baby food/formula
  • candy bars
  • energy/nutrition bars
  • nuts
  • dehydrated army food packets

Other Items
  • feeding bottles for infants
  • consecrated oil
  • hand sanitizer
  • diapers/wipes
  • keep fuel in car at least HALF full-never empty!

How to Get a Year's Supply in 52 Weeks or Less

We have been asked by our leaders to have a year's supply of food storage. This weekly program has been designed to get you the essentials in an in expensive and systematic way. Also, this can be stored in a small area. When following this program, one item is purchased per week. All of the amounts for one person for one year. Be sure to mark your items with a permanent marker showing the date of purchase.

Many of these items can be purchased and canned at the dry pack cannery and can be done on your ward's regularly scheduled days and times. You can also take other items you've purchased to the cannery and can them. By working together and taking one day at a time, the counsel from our Prophets to obtain a food storage can become a reachable goal. Did you know that food storage was first given as a commandment in 1926. Those saints who followed it were able to make it through the depression years with less hardship than those around them who did not have food stored.

We don't know what is ahead. The world is becoming increasingly uncertain in these last days. President Benson told us that a supply of food might be as important to us in our day as boarding the ark was to the people of Noah's day. As we have heard before, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30)

Suggested Amounts of Basic Food for Home Storage

ONE YEAR SUPPLY per adult
Children's % of adult portion, except milk.
0-3 years = 50%
4-6 years = 70%
7-10 years = 90%

Grains: 300 lbs. (wheat, flour, rice, corn, oatmeal, pasta)
Legumes: 60 lbs. (dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.)
Sugar or honey: 60 lbs. (includes jam or Jell-O as well)
Powdered Milk: 16 lbs. (provides one glass of milk per day. Children and pregnant women or nursing mothers will require more.)
Cooking Oil: 10 quarts
Salt: 8 lbs.
Water (2 weeks): 14 gallons


After storing enough of these essentials to meet the needs of your family for one year, you may decide to add other items that you are accustomed to using day to day. You should store as much as your circumstances allow. Families who do not have the resources to acquire a year's supply can being their storage by obtaining supplies to last for a few months. Members should be prudent and not panic or go to extremes in this effort. Through careful planning, most church members can, over time, establish both a financial reserve and year's supply of essentials.



ONE MONTH SUPPLY per adult
Children's % of adult portion, except milk.
0-3 years = 50%
4-6 years = 70%
7-10 years = 90%

Grains: 25 lbs. (wheat, flour, rice, corn, oatmeal, pasta)
Legumes: 5 lbs. (dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.)
Sugar or honey: 5 lbs. (includes jam or Jell-O as well)
Powdered Milk: 1 1/3 lbs. (provides one glass of milk per day. Children and pregnant women or nursing mothers will require more.)
Cooking Oil: 5/6 quart
Salt: 2/3 lbs.
Water (2 weeks): 14 gallons


2 WEEK SUPPLY per adult
Children's % of adult portion, except milk.
0-3 years = 50%
4-6 years = 70%
7-10 years = 90%

Grains: 12.5 lbs. (wheat, flour, rice, corn, oatmeal, pasta)
Legumes: 2.5 lbs. (dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.)
Sugar or honey: 2.5 lbs. (includes jam or Jell-O as well)
Powdered Milk: 2/3 lbs. (provides one glass of milk per day. Children and pregnant women or nursing mothers will require more.)
Cooking Oil: 5/12 quart
Salt: 1/3 lbs.
Water (2 weeks): 14 gallons

1st Week

Can Opener
The first item is a can opener. It can be taped inside a box of dry pack and then labeled at to where it is so it can be located quickly and not get lost.

2nd Week

Water
Amount needed is 14 gallons per person. This is a two week supply which is the generally accepted amount of time for a city to fix damaged water routes. 7 gallons are for drinking and 7 gallons are for cleaning. Place in 2-liter pop bottles with 4 drops of chlorine in each. Do not store in milk jugs, as they will leak. Do not store water in vinyl containers, such as water beds as these have chemicals, which can cause harm. Also, water purification tables are good, although they often leave a strange taste in the water. Rotate the water in the 2-liter pop bottles every 6 months. (Some families rotate water every General Conference)

3rd Week

Salt and Iodine
Amount needed is 5 lbs. per person, which is 4 round containers at the grocery store per person. Shelf life is several years.

4th Week

Cooking Oil
Amount needed is 20 lbs. of total fat per person, which can be split between shortening and cooking oil. 48 fl. oz. is equal to 3 lbs. This is a "standard size" at the grocery store. When buying in bulk two and a half gallons are needed per person for total fat needs. One gallon weighs 8 lbs. Shelf life is 3-5 years.

6th Week

Flashlight and Batteries
One flashlight per bedroom. Change batteries every 6 months.

5th Week

Jell-O
Amount needed is 60 lbs. of sugar per person. This may be divided into sugar, honey, jam, Jell-O, etc. Accumulate as many packages as you wish. Shelf life is several years.

7th Week

Rice
Amount needed is 300 lbs. per person for total grains, which includes wheat and pasta, flour, etc. as well as rice. Dry pack white rice will last 8-10 years if stored in a cool, dry place. Do not place dry pack cans directly on the floor. They should be placed on wood or a pallet to allow air to go underneath the cases. Each can of rice equals 5 lbs. and cost $1.69 at dry pack. A case at dry pack would equal to 30 lbs. and cost approximately $10.14. Brown rice has a much shorter shelf life because of the natural oils found in it.

8th Week

Powdered Milk
Amount needed is 300 quarts per person. A 4 lb. can from dry pack makes 16 quarts of milk and costs $5.89. A case makes 96 quarts and is approximately $35.34. The shelf life of dry pack powdered milk is 8-10 years.

9th Week

Tuna Fish
The amount needed varies with your family preference. It is important to have canned meat on hand that doesn't require cooking. Also, fish has some nutrients that are not found in other meats. The shelf life should be indicated on the can, but is between 2-4 years.

10th Week

Spaghetti
This is part of the 300 lbs. per person requirement for grains shown under rice. A can is 4 lbs. and costs $2.59 at dry pack. A case is 24 lbs. Cost is approximately $15.54.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

11th Week

Canned Corn
This again is part of the 300 lbs. per person requirement for grains. Expiration date is on the end, but is usually 1-2 years. It is important to have canned fruits and vegetables on hand since these provide a source of water/fluid intake for your body as well, and keeps you from having to reconstitute everything you eat, also saving your water supply!

12th Week

Catch-up Week!
This week is a well deserved break and a time to evaluate weeks 1-11 and get current on any item. Good work!

13th Week

Vienna Sausage
This is just another idea for a variety of protein sources. It is important to have some that don't need to be refrigerated or cooked! Store as much as you feel necessary for your family. Shelf life is 3-5 years.

14th Week

Multi-Vitamins
These help with getting the necessary A and C vitamins which end up being difficult to supply in a food storage situation. 365 tablets are needed per person. Shelf life is 2-3 years.

15th Week

Oatmeal
This is part of the 300 lbs. of grain that is needed per person. The shelf life on dry pack is 8-10 years. Regular oats are better for baking and quick oats are better for cereal. Each case weighs 12 lbs. and costs approximately $7.98. The individual cans are 2 lbs. each and cost is $1.33

16th Week

Flour
This is part of the 300 lbs. of grain needed per person. A case of dry pack flour weighs 24 lbs. and costs about $8.52. Shelf life is 5-6 years.

17th Week

Sugar
Amount needed is 60 lbs. per person for total sugar needs, which can include Jell-O, honey, jam, etc. A case at dry pack costs $17.52 and weighs about 36 lbs. Shelf life is 10 years. Sugar can harden and/or soften with time. This does not affect the quality of the product!

18th Week

Whole Eggs
Amount needed is as much as you feel you and your family will need for baking and for using with powdered mil in scrambled eggs. Shelf life is 5 years for powdered dehydrated whole eggs.

They have the same amount of nutrients and cholesterol as regular eggs. Your body uses the protein in eggs the best. They also contain calcium, iron, vitamin K, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, protein, and lecithin.

19th Week

Shortening
This must be vacuumed packed. This is part of the 20 lbs. of total fats per person. At the grocery store they come in a standard size of 48 fl. oz. This equals 3 lbs. Shelf life is 3-5 years. Cost is about $3-$4 at the grocery store. It it Critical this be stored in a cool, dry place.

20th Week

Canned Green Beans
The amount needed is 60 lbs. per person of legumes. This may be divided into many bean types. It is a good idea to have some canned beans that do not need to be reconstituted and act as another form of water supply. Shelf life is 3-5 years. Cost is about 30-60 Cents at the grocery store.

21st Week

Drink Mixes
Amount needed is based on your family preference. The cost is about $40.14 for a 36 lb. case at dry pack. One can is 6 lbs. and costs $6.69. The shelf life is 8-10 years. This product needs to be stored at 68 degrees or less (cool, dry).

22nd Week

Egg Noodles
This is included in the 300 lbs. of total grain per person. The shelf life is 7 years.

23rd Week

Dehydrated Apple Chips
The amount needed is again based on your family preference. The cost at dry-pack is $21.00 for a case, which will last 8-10 years. A single can costs $3.50. Dehydrated foods contain more nutrients than any other method of preserving. Home canned apples last 18 months to 3 years.

24th Week

Catch-up Week
Yeah! Another chance to review weeks 13-23 and get current on any item. Keep up the good work!

Monday, November 3, 2008

25th Week

Soup Mix
This can partially qualify to meet your legume requirements of 60 lbs. per person and your grain requirements of 300 lbs. per person. The cost at dry pack is $22.02 for case which weighs 30 lbs. The shelf life is 5-7 years. This product is great when some cooked ground beef and dehydrated carrots are added to it. It is already seasoned.

26th Week

Corn Meal
This is included in the 300 lbs. per person for total grains. This may be purchased in bulk, but then can be canned at the cannery. The shelf life is 10 years.

27th Week

Split Peas
This is included in the 60 lbs. per person for total legumes. Shelf life is 10 years.

28th Week

Onions
Amount needed is based on preference. This is great for stews and soups cooked in a crock-pot. Cost is $23.46 for a case at the dry pack cannery. Shelf life is 8-10 years.

29th Week

Potato Flakes
The amount needed varies with family preference. Cost is $22.14 for an 18 lb. case at dry pack. The shelf life is 10 years.

30th Week

Salsa
This is intended to "spice" up those food storage meals. Shelf life is 3-5 years.

31st Week

Peanut Butter
The amount you need is based on family preference. The cost is $2.40-$6.00 at the grocery store depending on the size of the jar. Shelf life is usually 3 years. Peanut Butter is an excellent source of protein and does not require refrigeration or cooking.

32nd Week

Baking Soda
The amount needed is up to you and your family. Shelf life is 8-10 years. Remember how important leavening agents will be!

33rd Week

Dried Banana Slices
This can be a sweet treat for the family. They can also be rehydrated to put in Jell-O, muffins and breads. Shelf life is 8-10 years.

34th Week

Carrots
Amount needed is based on preference again. Cost is about $47.16 for a case at dry pack. This item is useful for stew and soups, etc.

35th Week

Raisins
Based once again on your family's preference. Shelf life is 3-4 years. This item is a great source of vitamins and requires no cooking or special storage.

36th Week

Catch-Up Week
Check and rotate the storage you have. Review weeks 25-35 and get current on any item. Pat yourself on the back! You are doing great.