| Our lives can be so busy and routine, we often | | | | once then stick to your normal consumption |
| neglect preparing our families and our homes for | | | | rotation afterwards. Now you have a good supply |
| the unexpected. In the event of a severe | | | | of potable water should the need arise. Water |
| disaster or calamity, public services will most likely | | | | should also be stored for personal hygiene and |
| be stretched thin. Establishing a short or even long | | | | cleaning. Consider purchasing a few commercial |
| term food, water and financial reserve can bring | | | | grade 55 gallon plastic drums. Use these drums |
| comfort and peace of mind during adverse times. | | | | for non-potable water or water that will be used |
| Assuming that you are able to stay within your | | | | for cleaning, flushing toilets, hygiene, etc. It would |
| home during an emergency, the following tips can | | | | be ideal to keep maybe 1 drum filled with water in |
| assist you in your preparation efforts. | | | | a spot that will need water and the others empty. |
| Food Supply | | | | If you have early warning of a pending disaster, |
| If this is your first attempt at starting a food | | | | move the empty drums where they will be used. |
| supply then shoot for something short-term like | | | | For example, place one in the bathroom and one |
| 2-3 months worth. Stick to your existing grocery | | | | in the kitchen then fill them up. Obviously, if you |
| buying habits (hopefully healthy and wholesome) | | | | have them outside and already filled, it will be |
| and buy a little extra with every purchase. Put | | | | pretty hard to move them. |
| aside the extra that you buy as the start to your | | | | Savings |
| food supply. Once you have 2-3 months worth, | | | | As with your food supply, try to save a little |
| begin rotating out your food storage to prevent | | | | money each month and steadily increase the |
| spoilage. Consider marking items as you purchase | | | | amount over time. A good financial safety net |
| with a date stamp. Masking tape with a | | | | would be savings enough to cover 3-6 months |
| permanent marker works well. | | | | worth of expenses. |
| Drinking Water | | | | Long Term Food Supply |
| Water is vital for survival and may not be readily | | | | Once you're in the habit of saving enough food |
| available during a disaster. Store potable water | | | | for the short-term, try extending it long-term (up |
| (suitable for drinking) in containers designated for | | | | to a year or longer). White rice, beans and wheat |
| storing water. Be sure to pretreat water from | | | | are some of the best foods for long term |
| questionable sources including rain runoff. Most | | | | storage. |
| water can be purified by boiling for than 10min, | | | | These are essential tips that can help sustain the |
| using purification tablets or iodine. If you already | | | | survivability and well being of your family during |
| subscribe to bottle water service, consider having | | | | adverse times. You can never be too prepared |
| the service deliver 10-15 5 gallon bottles all at | | | | for the unexpected. |