Major life changing events can and do happen. Definitely most occur without surprise, and can affect small, remote areas or major cities. Others are more obvious and one, so attuned, can make the best of preparations. Regardless, they can happen slowly or very quickly, causing insignificant to long lasting deterioration even after the worst is over. Such changes can take on many forms, from hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes, dangerous spills, flu outbreaks, and especially severe economic events. Knowing this, “prepper’s” are taking great measures to ready their homes and families for endurance, trying times, or just plain survival. With that said, they are also sharing with neighbors, establishing neighborhood gardens, and taking to social media to sound the alarm so to speak by writing about survival, prepping, and the cyclical nature as to why this is prudent.

Many wonder if government agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can truly provide everything we need in an emergency?  Since 2003, FEMA is largely in command of planning and responding to disasters of all varieties.  However, when Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana in 2005, the FDA reported residents were without basic needs like adequate food or clean water for days, even weeks for some. They also reported that crop supplies and processed goods were completely submerged under water, and exposed to contaminants like chemicals and sewage, forcing residents to fear the very essentials necessary for survival: food and water.

Below are five ways you can better prepare your own food and water supply in the occurrence of a disaster. These tasks should be prepared before a disaster strikes, and with your own location, climate, physical health and family needs in mind.

1)   Store a variety of ways to cook and heat up food.  Depending on whether you’ll have access to electricity, batteries, or even the outdoors – ready.gov suggests that a few different modes to cook a meal can make a real difference.  If you have access to the outdoors, there are now a variety of survival stoves to choose from.  However, survivalists recommend that the stove heat up to at least 1,200 degrees F.  Furthermore, a stove that can run on rechargeable AA batteries, and equipped for a DC Out Plug and/or a portable solar charger can all prove useful in a survival situation. Along with a survival stove, you can keep food warm by using candle warmers, chafing dishes, and fondue pots. Keep in mind that charcoal grills, a fireplace, a campfire and eating food right out of the can are also options.  In the chance you need to change locations, ensuring some cooking devices are light, portable and easy to use should also be considered.

2)   Begin purifying and storing water sooner rather than later. FEMA suggests that families should store ½ gallon of water, per person, per day in the chance of a disaster.  Yet, keep in mind that children, the elderly, and those with health issues may require more than the ½ gallon to stay hydrated.  Medical emergencies and hot temperatures can also quickly deplete a water supply.  Many disaster preppers aim to more than double FEMA’s suggestion, storing at least one gallon of water, per person, per day. Furthermore, it’s important to consider your own climate, family needs and common sense to build an adequate water supply.

Many choose to store bottles of water for easy access.  Yet, boiling water and using one of the many water purification systems out there are also safe ways to attain water when done properly.  If water is running short, learning how to chlorinate or distill water is incredibly useful in an emergency, and can save lives. Also, avoid carbonated, alcoholic and caffeinated beverages in an emergency – as these can dehydrate the body and lead to more water consumption than planned for.

3.) Store seeds that offer a wide range of nutrition in airtight, long-term packaging. In severe weather, drought, or in the unpredictable nature of any disaster – ensuring your seeds stay fresh and viable can play a major factor in survival.  While there are a wide range of seed packages and storing opportunities to choose from, The Producer  is a great investment and trade. For a around $5.00 a pack, you get a seed kit that offers bulk fruit and vegetables in 26 varieties of non-GMO and non-hybrid seeds, including certified organic and heirloom varieties packaged for long term storage. Seeds are packaged in re-sealable Myler® bags, then stored in waterproof, rodent proof container that is also FDA approved for long-term storage.  Whether you choose to grow your seeds now or later, The Producer ensures a nutritious food supply.

4) Build Your Own Survival Garden. There are never any guarantees that our grocery stores will continue to be stocked full of food, or that a natural disaster will allow us safe roads to drive to the store on. Many emergencies are such that there is no time to start growing a garden, or just begin gaining experience at growing food. Perhaps that knowing this, you have already started a survival garden of your own.  But the only question remaining is, “how do I keep a survival garden thriving all year long?” To learn more about sustaining your own survival garden, this post offers detailed instructions on planting and maintenance.

5) Learn how to can your own food. First invented during Napoleon’s time as a means of feeding troops healthfully during a march, canning is used today as a useful method to preserve garden fresh fruits and vegetables. Never canned before? Canning entails placing fresh or cooked produce in jars and heating them to a temperature that microorganisms are unable to survive in.  If done effectively; canning can prevent unnecessary waste, save money, and provide healthy food for your family all year long, as well as in an emergency situation. Essentially, there are two options for home canning: one is water bath canning, and the other is pressure cooker canning.  View this post for detailed instructions on the canning process, and how to store cans long-term.

If canning your own food for disaster preparedness is something you aim to try, consider canning a variety of nutritious foods.  Canning fruits like mangos, cantaloupe, and passion fruit can offer B vitamins, which are essential for energy, cell production and body growth, whereas pineapple, brussel sprouts and butternut squash have high amounts of vitamin C, which plays a significant role in building the immune system, protecting body tissue, and warding off free radicals.  Be sure to pack at least (2) can openers in your disaster supply kit, and consider opting for low sodium canned food to prevent dehydration.

So, as the old English proverb goes; “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst” is something worth taking to heart given the current state of the world. We thank you for support of this blog and here is a thanks to you, 20% off at check out for any seed kit by using the code: HSBLOG20

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