Three Categories of Home Storage

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Basic Storage:

Included in basic storage are life sustaining foods and nonfood items that will store reasonable well for long periods. These include such basic food items as grains (wheat, rice, corn, or other cereal grains), nonfat dried milk, dried fish, legumes (beans and peas), sugar salt, oils and water. Store a year's supply of garden seeds to plant and to supplement the diet. Where garden space is limited a multiple vitamin pill for daily use by each person may be stored as a safety measure. However vitamin pills deteriorate so must be replaced within two to four years.

For country dwellers fresh taro or sweet potato, live pigs, chickens, fish might be considered as basic items in areas where it is difficult to store food, Regular use of whole grains is vital to build a digestive tolerance for roughage. Basic storage should also include fuel, bedding, clothing and medical supplies. In addition a grinder electric and hand powered for preparing flour if wheat is stored, recipes for using stored foods, and other such items are necessary.

Emergency Storage:

Each family or individual should have portable containers with emergency supplies such as the following: water, food requiring no refrigeration or cooking (graham crackers, canned fruits, canned meats), medications and critical medical histories required by family members, change of clothing, including two pairs of stockings, sanitary supplies, first aid booklet and equipment, candles, matches, ax, shovel, can opener, and blanket. The container should be placed where it can be picked up at a moments notice.

Expanded Storage:

This type of storage would include goods and other daily essentials to supply total nutritional needs and allow for variety and personal preferences in diet and living. This would include items normally used each day, such as baking powder, soda and spices. Many foods that are adaptable for long-term storage, such as grains and legumes, lack certain essential nutrients; therefore they need to be supplemented with fruits and vegetables to supply adequate amounts of vitamins A and C (dark amounts of vitamins or orange fruits and vegetables and citrus fruits). These items may be stored in root cellars or they may be bottled, canned pickled, dehydrated or freeze-dried. Smoked, canned. Or freeze-dried meat and fish supply additional nutrients. Because these foods have limited storage life, they should be used and replaced regularly. Special provision should be made for infants or small children in the family. Soaps and cleaning supplies are also essential.

Water Storage:

Some water reserve should also be considered. The approximate requirement per person on a two-week basis is fourteen gallons (seven gallons for drinking and seven gallons for other uses). Storage may be in plastic bottles, to which sodium hypochlorite (bleach) may be added if the purity of the water is in doubt (generally ½ tsp per five gallons if the water is clear and one teaspoon per 5 gallons if the water is cloudy. Sterilized water may also be stored. To sterilize, boil water one to three minutes and pour into hot sterilized jars with sterilize lids or process bottles of water in a water bath – twenty minutes for a quart jar and twenty-five minutes for a two quart jar.

Because it is impractical to store a year's supply of water in most places, it may be wise to store water-purifying agents.

First Aid Supplies:

Basic emergency home storage should include first aid supplies. Store first aid supplies together in a metal, wood, straw, or plastic container with a rightly fitted cover. Supplies may be kept organized by dividing the box into compartments. Although you should check with your doctor for any specific medicines and supplies that your family might require for an emergency, the following items are standard first aid supplies.

Adhesive tape

ammonia

antibiotic ointment

Bicarbonate of soda

Calamine lotion ( for sunburn and insect)

Diarrhea remedy

Elastic bandages

Gauze bandages

Hot water bottle Hydrogen peroxide

Ipecaca syrup (induces vomiting)

Knife

Matches

Measuring Cup

Medicine dropper

Needles

Paper bags

Razor blades

Rubbing Alcohol

Safety pins

Scissors

Soap

Thermometer

Triangular bandages

Tweezers

First Aid and instruction book

Medications prescribed by physician

First aid kits and supplies should be checked and replenished regularly. Old or contaminated supplies are unsafe and should be replaced. Tubes or plastic bottles eliminate breakage. All supplies should be labeled and organized for fast use. Another important emergency precaution is to have tetanus immunizations regularly. At least every ten years. When deep or dirty woulds occur, a booster shot is recommended.

Clothing:

Sufficient durable clothing should be included in a home storage program to meet the family's requirements for at least a year. This clothing should accommodate seasonal needs.

Where possible and practical, it is wise also to store fabric, thread, needles, and other sewing items. The provident consumer takes advantage of sales of material suitable for clothing tha the family may require and will store these purchaes until needed. A family can also save money be keeping a supply of clean used clothing that can be used in making needed clothes. A reserve of bedding should also be included.

Fuel and Light:

If possible a reserve of fuel (oil, wood etc.) should be a part of the storage plan at least enough for cooking purposes. Various supplementary heating and cooking units – some portable – are available. The best types can be used in an emergency both for the preparation of goods and for warmth.

Summary of Storage:

Basic

1. Food for one year

Grains (wheat, rice, corn or other cereal grains) 300 lbs per person

Nonfat dry milk 75 lbs per person

Sugar or honey 60 lbs per person

Salt 5 lbs per person

Fat or oil 20 lbs per person

Dried legumes 60 lbs per person

Garden Seeds

Also Fresh taro, sweet potatoes, pigs, beef, cows, chickens and fish if you live where you can produce them.

1. Water two week supply or water-purifying equipment
2. Bedding – enough to keep each person warm if there were no other heating supplies.
3. Clothing – enough to last one year or fabric to sew clothing
4. Medical – first aid and cleaning supplies
5. Fuel and Light a years supply of fuel at least enough for cooking

Coal or charcoal for BBQ, wood, sun oven, matches, candles flashlight and batteries.

Emergency Storage

1. Three day supply of food requiring no refrigeration or cooking, such as canned tuna fish or pork and beans ½ lbs per person. Nonfat milk ½ lb per person, Graham crackers 1 lb per person, dried fruit 1 lb per person, canned orange juice or tomato juice 46 oz per person, peanut butter
2. Water 1 gallon per person
3. Bedding - blanket, cloth sheet, plastic sheet
4. Clothing – one change for each person
5. Personal Supplies and Medication – Toiletries, first aid supplies, cleaning supplies (tetanus immunization every 5 to 10 years)
6. Fuel and Light – matches, Candle, Battery-powered light, signal flare,
7. Equipment – Can opener, dishpan, dishes, utensils, matches, candles, flashlight and batteries, ax, shovel, bucket, radio battery-powered, paper and pencil.
8. Infant Needs – if applicable
9. Personal documents – scriptures, legal documents etc.
10. Money - cash

Expanded Storage:

1. Foods to give greater variety and nutrition, such as meats and cheese, and fruits and vegetables. Miscellaneous: baking powder, yeast, jello, spices, soups, canned and bottled goods, freeze-dried foods
2. Water-purifying equipment or water tanks
3. Bedding – sleeping bags, pillows
4. Clothing – various kinds and sizes of clothing for all seasons to wear or trade.
5. Personal supplies and medication – located in various places car, home, shed
6. Fuel and Light – acquire a variety – paper logs, hurricane lamps, candles, etc.
7. Equipment – tools, grinders, seeing machines, battery powered radio, gardening supplies, coal stove or BBQ, sun oven to cook with
8. Paper and cleaning products – facial and toilet tissues, aluminum foil, plastic bags, soap and cleaning supplies
9. Financial papers and resources – travelers checks, stocks and bond, mutual funds, real estate, checking account, savings account, cash, other resources, will and living wills. If you can think of more financial papers that need to be included post them and I will include them.