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How much food should I store for emergencies?

To prepare, pack at least 2,000 calories of food per adult per day. In addition, pack at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation in clean plastic containers.

whatifcolorado.com - Emergency Preparedness Kit Calculator - What If? Colorado

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Get Your Checklist: Emergency Preparedness Kit

Be healthy. Be informed. Be ready.

Just like having a working smoke detector in your home, maintaining a home emergency supply kit is the best way to prepare for a pandemic or other natural or man-made disaster. While there are many items in your household that you rely on every day, emergency kits should contain the basic essentials for each person of your family to survive, including fresh water, food and medical supplies (including prescriptions) for three days to two weeks. All items in the emergency kit should be periodically inventoried and replenished – typically every six months. As you stock food, take into account your family's unique needs and tastes. Try to include foods that they will enjoy and that are also nutritious. Look for foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking. Individuals with special diets and allergies will need particular attention, as will babies, toddlers and the elderly. Nursing mothers may need liquid formula, in case they are unable to nurse. Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for ill or elderly people. Make sure you have a manual can opener and disposable utensils. And don't forget non-perishable foods and water for your pets. To prepare, pack at least 2,000 calories of food per adult per day. In addition, pack at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation in clean plastic containers. Below is a general calculator to help you prepare your emergency preparedness kit based on an average adult (35 years old, 160 lbs., 5 ft. 10 inches, and less than 30 minutes per day of exercise), average child (8 years old. and less than 30 minutes per day of exercise), and average toddler (3 years old and less than 30 minutes per day exercise). If you would like to calculate the specific daily food quantities that meet the individual needs of you and your family, please visit MyPyramid.gov.

(Age 12 and above) Children:

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(Age 3-12) Toddlers:

(Age 1-2) Infants:

(Up to 12 months) Pets:

Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic 72-Hour Emergency Preparedness Kit Based on the Information Provided Above:

Food and Water

Water — 1 gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation

Food:

Food Suggestions — at least a three-day supply of familiar, nutritious, non-perishable food Ready-to-eat canned meats Canned fruits and vegetables Canned or boxed soups Canned or boxed juices Canned nuts Cereal Pasta Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices etc.) High-energy foods such as protein bars, calorie-packed snack bars and peanut butter Packaged non-perishable milk or soymilk, or powdered milk Comfort/stress foods (instant coffee/tea bags, etc.) Foods for persons on special diets Vitamins

Tools and Other Items

Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

Flashlight and extra batteries

Whistle or signal flare to signal for help

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities; screwdriver

Shovel

Work gloves

Matches in a waterproof container

Small canister, A-B-C-type fire extinguisher

Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Utility knife

Local map

Kitchen Items

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

Garbage bags and plastic ties

Liquid detergent

Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

All-purpose knife

Aluminum foil and plastic wrap

Camping stove and cooking fuel

Sanitation and Hygiene

Soap and/or liquid hand sanitizer

Moist towelettes

Toilet paper

Tooth paste/brush

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper — when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Clothing and Bedding

Warm clothing (jacket or coat, long sleeve shirt, sturdy shoes, hat and gloves)

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

Rain gear

Personal Items

Prescription medications and eyeglasses

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, bank account records and family telephone numbers in a waterproof, portable container

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Cash or traveler's checks and change

Paper and pen

Books, games puzzles and other activities

First Aid Kit Essentials

First aid manual

First aid kit

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

Antiseptic/Isopropyl alcohol/hydrogen peroxide

Antibiotic ointment

Cotton balls

Scissors and tweezers

Thermometer

Sunscreen

Prescription Medications

Non-prescription pain reliever

Food Storage Tips

Keep food in a dry, cool spot — a dark area if possible. Keep food covered at all times using plastic or metal containers or plastic bags. Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use. Wrap cookies and crackers in plastic bags, and keep them in tight containers. Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or air-tight cans to protect them from pests.

Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use.

Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front.

Nutrition Tips

During and right after a disaster, it will be vital that you maintain your strength. So remember:

Eat at least one well-balanced meal each day.

Drink enough liquid to enable your body to function properly (two quarts a day).

Take in enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work.

Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to assure adequate nutrition.

Shelf-life of Foods for Storage

Use within six months:

Powdered milk (boxed)

Dried fruit (in metal container)

Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)

Potatoes

Use within one year:

Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups

Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables

Peanut butter

Jelly

Hard candy and canned nuts

Vitamin C

May be stored indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions):

whatifcolorado.com - Emergency Preparedness Kit Calculator - What If? Colorado

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