Okay I promise this is the last blog I write about the Hurricane…
Here’s some important information that hopefully will help others be properly prepared for hurricanes and other emergency situations. First off you should make a basic plan for your family in case they aren’t together, for your animals, & empolyees/work situation. It’s also important to think about emergency storage and how your going to survive without electricity and water. Make sure your gutters are cleaned out so that water flows properly thru your house. If you have a water pila, it’s smart to make sure its pretty full and doesn’t get contaminated by flood water.
Things to buy:
Water: A gallon per person, per day, enough for seven days. Or if you buy the bottles, that’s eight 16-ounce bottles per person or 56 bottles for seven days.
Caffeine: Canned coffee drinks or energy drinks such as Red Bull.
Crackers: For snacking or eating with cheese and cold cuts from the fridge just after power goes out. Granola or nut mixes are good for energy.
Fruit: Single-serving fruit cups and applesauce. When a storm is a few days away, buy apples and oranges.
Healthier snacks: Granola bars, Fruit Roll-Ups, dried fruit, rice cakes, nuts and trail mix offer nutrition and have a long shelf life.
MEALS
Canned soups, chili, vegetables, stews: They can be eaten cold but can also be heated in a pot on the grill.
Cereal & Grain: Steel Cut Oats or oatmeal or cereals containing fiber, quinoa, brown rice, Chia seeds
Milk: Boxed Almond Milk or whatever you prefer
Preserved meats: Beef jerky is high-protein, low-carb and good for diabetics. Canned tuna, chicken,
Condiments: Mayonnaise is generally a no-no because of refrigeration issues, but buy the smallest jar you can and make tuna or chicken salad. Look for condiments – ketchup, hot sauce, mustard
MUST-HAVES
Supplies: Garbage bags and ties, paper towels, wipes, bug spray, Raid for ants and other critters, fuel (charcoal, lighter fluid, matches) or a full propane tank for the grill, hand sanitizer. Don’t forget the manual can opener. Plastic wrap or storage containers. headlamp, solar powered lanterns, batteries, candles, Buckets to flush the toilets and wash dishes. A box of baking soda to put in your fridge to kill any unwanted odors.
Tableware: Paper plates, napkins and paper or plastic cups; plastic forks, knives and spoons; a couple of serving spoons, forks and knives for food preparation and serving.
Pet food: Food and drink for your pets, and their familiar dishes. Vitamins and medications.
Basic Medical Kit: Peroxide, Bandages, Alcohol, Tylenol, Vitamin C etc
Things to do:
Make sure you have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.
Check to ensure that the freezer temperature is at or below 0 °F and the refrigerator is at or below 40 °F. In case of a power outage, the appliance thermometers will indicate the temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer to help you determine if the food is safe. (I wish I would have done this.)
ICE, ICE, BABY…
Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is contaminated by flooding or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water. Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer. Group food together in the freezer. This helps the food stay cold longer. Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. Purchase or make ice cubes in advance and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers. Check out local sources to know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased, just in case. Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding. Make sure to have a supply of bottled water stored where it will be as safe as possible from flooding. During an emergency, should you use bottled water containers to hold non-food substances like gasoline, please dispose of them after use and do not recycle them. Additionally, should you find that your bottled water has an odor, do not drink or use the water. Instead, dispose of it, or if applicable call your bottled water provider to make arrangements to get a replacement.
When the Power Goes Out . . . Here are basic tips for keeping food safe:
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot fully-stocked freezer cold for two days. If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while it is still at safe temperatures, it’s important that each item is thoroughly cooked to the proper temperature to assure that any foodborne bacteria that may be present is destroyed. However, if at any point the food was above 40 °F for 2 hours or more — discard it. Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating. For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.
Once Power is Restored You’ll need to determine the safety of your food.
If an appliance thermometer was kept in the freezer, check the temperature when the power comes back on. If the freezer thermometer reads 40°F or below, the food is safe and may be refrozen. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. You can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze or cook. Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than 4 hours and the refrigerator door was kept shut. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers) that has been above 40°F for two hours or more.Keep in mind that perishable food such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, and eggs that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked.
Follow these steps to keep your WATER SAFE during — and after — flood conditions.
Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
If you don’t have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present.
If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers. If you can’t boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach per each gallon of water. Stir it well and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice. (very important)
How to keep your FOOD SAFE during — and after flood conditions.
Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.
Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water.Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps. Also, discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized. Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.
I hope this helps. If you have any other suggestions or advise please feel free to post it in the comments below.
