by Pat Lunsford

Created on: March 25, 2008   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

Tips for preparing in the event of emergencies and natural disasters include two basic sets of supplies. We need emergency supplies for the home and a smaller set of supplies that we can access quickly in the event of an evacuation. The reason we need both is that even if we have to evacuate we will most likely come back to no electricity or clean water and possibly damage to our home.

With our quickly changing weather patterns and so much unrest in the world, people are stockpiling food, water, and other essentials needed to survive in the event of an emergency, which could happen quickly without warning at anytime.

Keep in mind that with most emergency situations there is no electricity and likely as not the water will be contaminated. With no electricity we will have no refrigerator, television, computer, heat/air-conditioning, lights, hot water, or stove. These are the things we need to prepare for.

Tap water can be stored up to six months. Water bought in the store that is sealed can be stored up to a year. The plastic jugs that water comes in are a bit flimsy and tend to leak after a few months.

We can buy containers or simply check for leakage and use those that appear to be seeping water first. Daily water requirements are two quarts per day per person. However, factoring in other needs such as hygiene, one gallon per day per person is recommended.

Our emergency food supply should consist of things that don't need to be refrigerated and be complete with the nutritional needs our family will need. Meat products for protein such as hearty soups, stews, tuna and dried meats like turkey and beef jerky.

Canned or dried fruit will supply vitamin C and other important vitamins. Nuts and dried cereals are also healthy choices. Always get small containers because once it's opened, it won't last very long. We should also include whole grain crackers and multivitamins. One good tip is to save condiment packages we get at fast food restaurants such as mustard and ketchup packs, which can come in handy.

Battery-operated lights are safer than candles and are relatively inexpensive. We should have one small emergency flashlight for each household member along with at least one heavy duty flashlight. Extra batteries should be included and replaced every six months to a year. Stickup lights and light sticks are not expensive and come in handy during a power outage.

Those of us who live in a cold weather region will need extra blankets. Most of us have blankets but if

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