Lastly, you’ll want to consider provisions. Water and cooking facilities may not be available, so it will pay for you to be prepared. The first thing you’ll want to pack is fresh, clean water in an airtight container. In the event of an emergency, you’ll want to use it sparingly. Don’t use if for bathing, just for drinking, and make sure that everyone in your family drinks enough. When people become dehydrated, their thinking becomes muddled and hysteria can set in. These are things you do not need in the event of an emergency. Always be sure to have drinking water available. At least one quart per person, per day is a modest estimate of what you’ll need.
When considering foodstuff, remember to keep it non-perishable, healthy (you’ll need your strength) and make sure it doesn’t need water for preparation. Consider the following:
Beef or Turkey Jerky
Dried Fruit
Saltines or Crackers
Peanut Butter
Beans and/or Canned Soups
Canned Tuna, Ham or Chicken
You’ll also want to be sure you have a can opener and utensils packed to go with these items. If you’ve set aside enough water, you may want to pack along the following just to keep you and your family comfortable:
Powdered Milk/Tang
Tea
Instant Coffee
Sugar/Dry Creamer
If you aren’t averse to roughing it military style, you can always consider a little Sterno Stove and Meals Ready to Eat (MREs).
Remember, planning for an emergency will help you to feel a little more in control when disaster strikes. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your plan, but just knowing that you have it may help you to sleep better at night and feel a little better when the Weather Channel gets scary.