Emergency preparedness Tips

I put on a presentation for the Relief Society this last Thursday. I wanted to put up the tips that we talked about. This is the information I went over, the tips will follow.

For many of us, actually sitting down and creating a food storage plan, seems not only difficult, but, costly and time consuming. Several women have shared tips on how they do their food storage, and although many of us know a fair amount, we don’t take the time to put all the pieces together to actually move forward with a plan. (www.molly-mormon.com/ food storage tips)

"We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."
—The First Presidency

According to figures gathered by one of the food storage manufacturing firms, less than 6% of the members of the Church have an adequate emergency program.

Where do you fit into this figure?

Let’s enjoy life as much as we can – but let’s also be prepared. As we have recently seen, an unexpected disaster or loss of income can strike every s-o-o quickly.

“When the emergency is upon us, the time of preparation has passed.” (www.ldsemergencyresources.com/food-storage)

First Two Tips...

Buy ingredients, not prepared foods

Ingredients such as salt, honey, oatmeal and wheat will last a lot longer than prepared foods like TV dinners, cereals, and food mixes. Naturally, as you purchase food ingredients, you’ll want to practice actually using them! And remember the basics. For example, if you purchase a bag of wheat, how exactly do you plan to make flour out of it? (ldsemergencyresources.com/food-storage)

Buy extra, use FIFO

Go ahead and buy more food than normal when you’re out shopping, and set it aside. Use the “first in, first out” rule to eat your older supplies first. Keep rotating your supplies so you never abandon food “way in the back.” (www.ldsemergencyresources.com/food-storage/

Here's the rest of the Tips...

Work your food storage plan into your regular shopping list.

Buy ingredients, not prepared foods.

Buy in Bulk.

Home canning is cost effective, not difficult but time consuming.

Dry packing with a food saver or vacu-pack-type machine is a good option for preserving items bought in bulk, or maybe even for spices.

Gardening: allows for a greater degree of self reliance.

Families should store the type of food they like to eat.

Families should sit down together to discuss their needs and ways to build up food storage and prepare for emergencies.

72-hr kit: Babies and small children need special considerations. Diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, blankets, binky’s… etc.

72-hr kit: Have copies of all important documents like birth certificates, shot records, insurance policies and deeds in your 72-hr kit.

Things like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, laundry detergent are all things that should be considered when planning your year supply.

72-hr kit: A “refresh” card that lists the contents of your kit and the dates that medication and perishables will expire.

72-hr kit: A corded phone. It will still work when the power is out.

Medication: Get a 7-day supply of any daily prescription(s) you or your child is taking. You can ask your doctor for a 1-week supply for your kit.

Have a communication plan. Teach your children a cell number or good contact number in case of an emergency. Also, designate an out of state contact for family members to check in with, in the case of a larger disaster.

Have an emergency numbers list near your home phone.

Don’t forget your pet! They need supplies too!

Food Storage

You’ll be glad you did.