by Gerry Baird

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 22, 2009

In the days before Hurricane Charley's 2004 landfall, the most popular food items sold at Wal-Mart were Pop-Tarts and beer. This says something about most people's preparation for emergencies and about their priorities. People want comfort food when they are scared and, apparently, they want to get drunk. But if running to the store for Pop-Tarts and beer doesn't sound like a good emergency plan to you, there is a better alternative.

It's easy to create an emergency food supply that contains nutritious foods you will actually eat. If you can find some wiggle-room in your grocery budget, just buy a few extra non-perishable items each time you go to the store (especially if they are on sale). Healthy foods that don't need to be cooked are best. Rotate these non-perishable items regularly so they don't get too old.

The amount and type of food you need for your emergency supply will vary depending on your family situation. At a minimum, you should have a three day supply of food for each family member. If you have a baby, you will want to store diapers and formula. You may need to make special provisions for picky eaters, since an emergency situation isn't the best time to introduce a 4-year-old to canned spinach. Having a few snacks and comfort foods, perhaps even some Pop-Tarts, might be helpful too.

You should also have an emergency water supply, which can be easily created by storing tap water in 2-liter soda bottles. You can store water for extended time periods by adding a drop or two of chlorine bleach to each bottle. If you have advance warning of an emergency and you expect to be in your home without running water for a period of time, fill up your sinks and bathtubs.

You should also consider non-food items such as flashlights, first-aid kits and toilet paper. You can create a makeshift toilet with a 5-gallon bucket, a plastic garbage bag and a supply of cat litter. (It won't be the Ritz, but it'll be better than nothing.) Always keep your vehicle gas tanks at least half full in case you need to evacuate in a hurry, and decide in advance what you will take with you during an evacuation.

Having an emergency food supply is just plain common sense, because you never know when a disaster could affect your area. Since you won't typically have advance warning, now is a good time to start preparing. Even if you do have some notice, you might find it difficult to obtain the supplies you need at the last minute.

Thinking about a potential emergency when none appears imminent may seem morbid, but it's really no different than purchasing life insurance. You'll sleep better at night knowing you have something to fall back on if the worst should happen.

Sources:

Hays, Constance L. "What Wal-Mart Knows About Customers' Habits." November 14, 2004 <http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/14/business/yourmoney /14wal.html>

Learn more about this author, Gerry Baird.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.