INFORMATION SHEET
PREPARING A THREE-DAY EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
A three day emergency preparedness kit will be useful for most disasters. Gathering the essential items that could be needed and putting them in one location will help you and your household through the worst days of an emergency. This short-term preparedness kit should of course include food in addition to water, personal hygiene items, flashlights, blankets and other essentials recommended for emergencies. This food supply needs to be non-perishable; select foods that require no refrigeration, minimal or no preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you will have to heat food you have put away before eating it, pack a grill, camping cook stove and fuel also. For ease in managing your supply, select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your short-term Disaster Supplies Kit:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
- Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
- Staples – sugar, salt, pepper
- High energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
- Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets (for example, diabetics or those with allergies)
- Comfort/stress foods – cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
- Vitamins
Make sure you have a can opener, scissors or knife for cutting open foil and plastic pouches, and disposable plates, cups and utensils. Pack all these items in plastic bags (zipper closures work well) to keep them dry and as airtight as possible. Keep a list of dates when food items need to be inspected and possibly rotated (used and then replaced with newly purchased items).
Food Ideas That Keep on the Shelf
Ready to Eat:
- MRE’s
- Canned fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, fish
- Canned juices, broths and soups
- Shelf-stable “boxes” of juices and milk
- Crackers and melba toast (don’t pick combination packs with cheeses or luncheon meats if they require refrigeration)
- Peanut butter, jelly
- Dry, ready-to-eat cereals and granola
- Dried fruits, nuts and trail mixes
- Jerky
- Granola bars
- Hard candy
Also Plan Water Supplies to Prepare:
- Instant oatmeal
- Dry milk
- Powdered drink mixes
- Instant pudding
- Dried soups
- Bouillon cubes or powder
- Instant rice and potatoes
