Now with this pandemic going on and all other possible natural disasters that can happen many starting to think about what groceries to stock up on for emergencies, and not only groceries too, there are many other things that you may need in case of a natural disaster or the grocery stores run out of supply.

The most important items to stock up on for emergencies depends on what kind of disaster or pandemic going on. These items you should always have in home. Fresh water should always be on hand, dried fruits, canned meat and vegetables, power bars, whole-wheat crackers, peanut butter, canned soups and multivitamins. These are all items that last long and provides a wide range of nutrients that we need.

One other question that comes to mind when thinking about what to stock up on during pandemics and emergencies is for how long period do I need to have food at home. The Department Of Homeland Security say that you should at least have a three day supply of long lasting foods stored at home. The food supply should also be for everybody in the family, also the pets included.

The more food supply you have stored the longer you can deal with a pandemic or a disaster. You can look at it like this, keeping long lasting supplies of groceries at home is like having an insurance against disasters for all of your family members.

To not get overwhelmed, start with a 3-5 day stockpile of crisis food at home. Once you got that ok go on to make maybe 1-2 weeks of supply of long lasting foods stored in home. After you have competed that task you can go on to doing a 2 or 3 months of stockpile. All this will take time and money but it might be better safe than sorry if that day would happen.

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What Kind Of Emergencies Are There

What kind of emergencies that can happen and how to prepare for them is more than we can know before they happen.  When it come to pandemic types of crisis we should need to eat more foods that help you maintain a good health, that you get more nutrition from.

When it comes to emergencies like hurricanes, blizzards or flooding you need more food with more energy and protein.

If you live in an area where it happens much natural disasters you may wan’t to keep a mix of both supplies in your stockpile, while if you live in an area where there isn’t that much  natural disasters you can keep the supply more nutritious oriented.

Living in the Midwest parts of the country you are at high to moderate risk of tornadoes, in case of a tornado find out where the safest place or room without windows in your home is and gather there. In case of earthquakes practice Drop, Cover and Hold On with your family. (mostly Illinois and Missouri). In the event of wildfires be prepared to evacuate immediately and keep an emergency kit in your car. Stay tuned on local evacuation routes with your local radio and TV stations.

Living in the West (Mountains) you are at high risk of earthquakes, practice Drop, Cover and Hold On with your family. In case of wildfires be prepared to evacuate immediately and keep an emergency kit in your car. If you get caught in a winter storm on the road keep an emergency kit in your car. Avoid going out and dress in many layers to keep warm.

If you are residing in West (Pacific) you are at high risk of earthquakes, practice Drop Cover and Hold with your family, wildfires, learn the evacuation routes and keep an emergency kit on your car. Hurricanes, keep an emergency kit in home and an evacuation plan for your family. Volcanoes, keep dust mask’s and goggles for everybody in your family and talk about what to do in case of eruption. Tsunami, plan routes from home, school and work to a place 2 miles inland or 100 feet elevated. Landslides, discuss in the family what to do if a landslide occurs.

If you live in South and Southeast, you are at high risk of tornadoes, find out where the safest place or room without windows in your home is and gather there. Landslides, (Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia) discuss in the family what to do if a landslide occurs. Earthquakes, (Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky,  Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Missouri) practice Drop Cover and Hold with your family. Hurricanes, keep an emergency kit in home and an evacuation plan for your family.

Staying in Mid Atlantic you are at high risk of hurricanes and winter storms, keep an emergency kit in your car and at home, avoid to drive, stay indoors and dress warm.

Living in New England have the same risks as staying in the Mid Atlantic.

Common Disasters Across The US

What Items To Stockpile In Your Pantry

Having a emergency stockpile of food supplies at home is a very good idea. The most important things to keep in home would be water, food and to keep warm if something would happen.

Here are some recommended items to include in your emergency stockpile.

• Granola Bars or Cereal, healthy snacks that last’s as long as 6 months. They also are a great source of carbohydrates.
• Ready to eat Canned tuna, salmon, turkey or chicken, meat contains a lot of proteins and usually lasts up to two years.
• Ready to eat Canned vegetables like peas, green beans and carrots.
• Ready to eat Soups as they can be eaten straight out of the can.
• Whole wheat crackers, they are great to eat because of their high fiber they contain.
• Peanut butter, full of healthy fats and proteins and they are a great source of protein. Check the container how to store after opening.
• Bottled water, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) you should store 1 gallon a day for each person and recommend having a two week supply. If you store your own tap water replace it every six months.
• Non perishable pasteurized milk, box or canned, or you can also have powdered milk.
• Canned juices
• Foods that require no refrigeration, cooking or little water

More Advice for an Emergency

If you don’t have electricity you may still use an outdoor charcoal or propane grill to warm, grill or cook food. Outdoor grills can’t be used indoor due to the smoke if ventilation isn’t good enough. In case of you can’t go outside use a Sterno to warm food inside.

Without electricity or a refrigerator or freezers for food to be stored in they can become unhealthy to eat. If food have been in 40 Fahrenheit and more than four hours it’s non edible anymore. So long frozen foods have ice crystals and feel cold they are safe to eat. When it get’s to room temperature bacteria starts to form very rapidly. When in doubt, throw it out!

What Grocery Items to Buy Just Before an Emergency

If you still have time before the emergency or pandemic lock down is starting just head down to the local grocery store near you and shop for the last minute fresh vegetables and greens that not stay fresh that long in your home.

They usually last a week after you bought them and is a nice welcome to the stockpiled food you have stored up on. If you have the habit of grocery shopping for a month at a time then you have already quit a lot supplies at home, to manage that check this out, How To Grocery Shop Once A Month, how to learn more about that.

Potatoes, if they are stored in a dark cool place they will last up to a month. Apples last up to three months if they are stored in dry and cool place and away from other fruits.

Oranges and grapefruits can last up to two weeks and they are good to eat as they contains much vitamin C and water.