Food and Water in an Emergency

How to Store Water

Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass

or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that

has held toxic substances. Plastic containers, such as soft

drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic

buckets or drums. Seal water containers tightly,

label them and store in a cool, dark place. Rotate water every six months.

Emergency Outdoor

Water Sources

If you need to find water outside your home, you can use these sources.

Be sure to purify the water according to the instructions below before drinking it.

Rainwater

Streams, rivers and other moving bodies of water

  Ponds and lakes

Natural springs

Avoid water with floating material, an odor or dark color. Use

saltwater only if you distill it first. You should not drink flood water.

If an earthquake, hurricane, winter storm or other disaster

strikes your community, you might not have access to food,

water and electricity for days, or even weeks. By taking

some time now to store emergency food and water supplies, you

can provide for your entire family.

Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency.

A normally active person needs to drink at least two

quarts of water each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children , nursing

mothers and ill people will need even more.

You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. Store a

total of at least one gallon per person , per day. You should store at

least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family.

If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you

need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize

the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.

Short-Term Food

Supplies

Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food

supply for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long.

The easiest way to develop a twoweek stockpile is to increase the

amount of basic foods you normally keep on your shelves.

Storage Tips

► Keep food in a dry, cool spot—a dark area if possible.

► Keep food covered at all times.

► 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.

Hidden Water Sources in Your Home

If a disaster catches you without a stored supply of clean water, you can use the

water in your hot-water tank, pipes and ice cubes. As a last resort, you can use

water in the reservoir tank of your toilet (not the bowl).

Do you know the location of your incoming water valve? You’ll need to shut it off to

stop contaminated water from entering your home if you hear reports of broken water

or sewage lines.

To use the water in your pipes, let air into the plumbing by turning on the faucet in

your house at the highest level. A small amount of water will trickle out. Then obtain

water from the lowest faucet in the house.

To use the water in your hot-water tank, be sure the electricity or gas is off, and open

the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start the water flowing by turning off the water

intake valve and turning on a hot-water faucet. Do not turn on the gas or electricity

when the tank is empty.

When Food Supplies Are Low

If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their

usual food intake for an extended period and without any food

for many days. Food, unlike water, may be rationed safely,

except for children and pregnant women.

If your water supply is limited, try to avoid foods that are high in

fat and protein, and don’t stock salty foods, since they will make

you thirsty. Try to eat salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and

canned foods with high liquid content.

You don’t need to go out and buy unfamiliar foods to prepare an emergency food

supply. You can use the canned foods, dry mixes and other staples on your cupboard

shelves. In fact, familiar foods are important. They can lift morale and give a feeling

of security in time of stress. Also, canned foods won’t require cooking, water or special

preparation. Following are recommended short-term food storage plans.

Special Considerations

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 high in calories and

nutrition. Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking are best.

Individuals with special diets and allergies will need particular attention, as will

babies, toddlers and elderly people. 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 nonperishable foods for your pets.

How to Cook If the Power Goes Out

For emergency cooking you can use a fireplace, or a charcoal grill or camp stove

can be used outdoors. You can also heat food with candle warmers, chafing

dishes and fondue pots. Canned food can be eaten right out of the can. If you

heat it in the can, be sure to open the can and remove the label first.

Three Ways to Purify Water

In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain

Micro-organisms that cause diseases such as dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis.

You should purify all water of uncertain purity before using it for drinking, food

preparation or hygiene.

There are many ways to purify water. None is perfect. Often the best solution is a

combination of methods.

Two easy purification methods are outlined below. These measures will kill most

microbes but will not remove other contaminants such as heavy metals, salts and

most other chemicals. Before purifying, let any suspended particles settle to the

bottom, or strain them through layers of paper towel or clean cloth.

BOILING. Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water to a

rolling boil for 3-5 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the

water cool before drinking. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back

into it by pouring the water back and forth between two

clean containers. This will also improve the taste of stored water.

DISINFECTION. You can use household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms.

Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium

hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.

Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand

for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach

odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.

The only agent used to purify water should be household

liquid bleach. Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment

products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not

contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active

ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.

While the two methods described above will kill most

microbes in water, distillation will remove microbes that resist these methods, and

heavy metals, salts and most other chemicals.

DISTILLATION. Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the

vapor that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include salt and

other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on

the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down

(make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes.

The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.

Shelf-life of Foods for

S t o r a g e

Here are some general guidelines

for rotating common emergency

foods.

► 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

— Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)

— Peanut butter

— Jelly

— Hard candy and canned nuts

— Vitamin C

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

— Wheat

— Vegetable oils

— Dried corn

— Baking powder

— Soybeans

— Instant coffe, tea and cocoa

— Salt

— Noncarbonated soft drinks

— White rice

— Bouillon products

— Dry pasta

— Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)

FOOD STORAGE

DISASTER SUPPLIES

S u p p l i e s

It’s 2:00 a.m. and a flash flood forces you to evacuate your home—fast. There’s no

time to gather food from the kitchen, fill bottles with water, grab a first-aid kit from

the closet and snatch a flashlight and a portable radio from the bedroom. You need

to have these items packed and ready in one place before disaster strikes.

Pack at least a three-day supply of food and water, and store it in a handy place.

Choose foods that are easy to carry, nutritious and ready-to-eat. In addition, pack

these emergency items:

► Medical supplies and first aid manual

► Money and matches in a waterproof

► Hygiene supplies container

► Portable radio, flashlights and extra batteries

► Fire extinguisher

► Blanket and extra clothing

► Shovel and other useful tools

► Infant and small children’s needs

► Household liquid bleach to purify (if appropriate) drinking water.

► Manual can opener

If the Electricity Goes Off...

FIRST, use perishable food and foods from the refrigerator.

THEN, use the foods from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open

the freezer door, post a list of freezer contents on it. In a well-filled, well-insulated

freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning foods are

safe to eat) for at least three days.

FINALLY, begin to use non-perishable foods and staples.

This brochure was developed

by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the American

Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

L e a rn More

If you are interested in learning more about how to prepare for

emergencies, contact your local or State Office of Emergency

Management or local American Red Cross chapter, or write to

FEMA

PO BOX 2012

JESSUP MD 20794-2012

and ask for any of the following

publications:

Emergency Preparedness

Checklist

(L-154) Item #8-0872

ARC 4471

Your Family Disaster

Supplies Kit

(L-189) Item #8-0941

ARC 4463

Your Family Disaster Plan

(L-191) Item #8-0954

ARC 4466

Are You Ready? Your Guide to

Disaster Preparedness

(H-34) Item #8-0908

Emergency Preparedness

Publications

(L-164) Item #8-0822

  HOME