• The most important thing for you to have, in case of emergency, is water.
o You should have three gallons of water per person per day. It is recommended for you to have enough for two weeks so that equals 42 gallons per person.

o You should never store drinking water in used containers because the water will always take on the taste (or toxins, where applicable) of whatever was initially in the container. You should not store your water near items that you don’t want your water to taste like because the plastic container will take on the taste of whatever is nearby, including whatever is on the ground beneath the container.

o During a crisis, once you run out of drinking water, you need to be able to find other sources of water that you can purify. The best way to purify water is with pure, dry chlorine (1/4 teaspoon for every 55 gallons). This is just powder chlorine used to clean hot tubs and is very inexpensive. It’s important to look for a type with high chlorine content without other additives. It’s also important that you make sure you keep the powder dry before using; if kept dry it will never have an expiration. It will take 24 hours for the chlorine to purify the water and if you leave the lid off of the water for 24 more hours the taste of the chlorine will be gone.

• The next three important things for you to have in case of emergency are heating, lighting and a cooking source(s).

o It’s best to have a 99.9% efficient kerosene heater (the more efficient, the less smelly) with a cut-off valve, 2300 BTU and a non-electric igniter. Two 55-gallon barrels of kerosene can heat a 2,000 sq. ft. house for the winter. The kerosene gives off carbon dioxide NOT carbon monoxide.

• Kerosene has a normal shelf life of two to three years but you can increase that to 25-30 years by putting in a really inexpensive additive, which is available at hardware stores.

• Kerosene shouldn’t be stored on the ground because water will leach up into it. Instead, put it up on a pallet or something similar.

o It is good to have 6 mil thick, clear visqueen/poly sheeting (thick plastic) along with a staple gun in case your windows brake and you need to cover them.

o Use battery-operated lanterns and get solar battery chargers.

o There are also really good solar generators that can run one appliance at a time.

• Rather than getting food for 72 hours, you should have at least a 90-day supply of food. This should include foods you eat all the time.

• Additional information for long-term food storage:
o White rather than red wheat is recommended. The bread made from the white wheat will taste more like white bread that the red wheat will. White wheat is also easier on your GI tract.

o You should store at least 75 lbs of freeze-dried food. Dehydrated food loses 20% of its nutrition and freeze-dried will almost always taste better.

o A pressure cooker is good to have for cooking beans.

o Ten lbs of salt is good to have, which provides essential minerals. (Recommends RealSalt brand)

• It’s a good idea to have a “camping potty” and #10 (10 gallon) garbage bags.

• A hand powered portable washing machine is good to have for small loads of laundry.

• Small containers of propane are very versatile so it’s smart to have 21 containers.