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* read the disclaimer
Food and Water in an Emergency
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Information courtesy of:
 American Red Cross
 Federal Emergency
Management Agency
Reprinted by Permission of the American Red Cross (1997)
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.
This brochure was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in
cooperation with the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of agriculture.
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.
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 survivor 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 life 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
microorganisms 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.
SUPPLIES
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 tin 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
| Hygiene supplies
| Portable radio, flashlights and extra batteries
| Shovel and other useful tools
| Household liquid bleach to purify drinking water
| Money and matches in a waterproof container
| Fire extinguisher
| Blanket and extra clothing
| Infant and small children's needs (if appropriate)
| Manual can opener |
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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 a least three days.
FINALLY, begin to use non-perishable foods and staples.
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 on page 3 before drinking
it.
| Rainwater
| Streams, rivers and other moving bodies of water
| Ponds and lakes
| Natural springs |
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Avoid water with floating material, an odor or dark color. Use saltwater only
if you distill it first. You should not drink flood water.
FOOD SUPPLIES
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 two-week 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. |
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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. |
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FOOD STORAGE
Shelf-life of Foods for Storage
Here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods.
| Use within six months:
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 | Powdered milk (boxed)
| Dried fruit (in metal container)
| Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
| Potatoes |
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| Use within one year:
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| 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 |
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| May be stored indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions):
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| Wheat
| Vegetable oils
| Dried corn
| Baking powder
| Soybeans
| Instant coffee, tea and cocoa
| Salt
| Noncarbonated soft drinks
| White rice
| Bouillon products
| Dry pasta
| Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans) |
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Learn 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
P.O. 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 |
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ARC-5055
FEMA L210
November 1994
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