Our food and water storage is all fairly basic, if you are new to storage don't rush into it, you can build your stocks slowly and it is surprising how a few bottles, cans or packets etc a week added to your regular shop can build up
FOOD STORAGE
Try to store food that will provide a balance of nutrients preferably with a long shelf life, store in a cool dark place. At least half of your stock should be high in carbohydrates such as rice, tinned potatoes, pasta etc
High protein foods such as tinned beans and meats should be around a quarter of your stock. Include dried fruits, nuts, vegetable oil, UHT and powdered milk, it is an exhaustive list and personal preferences will certainly have some bearing
Having tinned food that cooks in itself will save a little water. Do not store items you would not normally consume, it will be bad enough when the time comes contending with other critical impending factors without eating food you may hate because it was cheap at the time
KEEP IT HIGH AND DRY
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| tpet.co.uk |
Remember to stock a little of what you fancy, being a prepper / survivalist doesn't mean you have to be miserable with it, open the popcorn sit back and watch the unprepared (in secret) scurrying around for a food source ha
Endeavour to keep what you actually stock relatively healthy such as my wonderful breakfast example found here, fruit juice and an egg
Remember nothing is a wasted purchase you will eat it upon your regular stock rotation
In a scenario likely to be ongoing and possibly involving the longer term loss of electricity use/cook frozen or chilled food you already have first if you have no long term chilling / freezing plan
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| LINK - Fighting for cheap food |
Minimal rummaging and door opening of your fridge/freezer will help to keep stored produce longer in event of power loss
If you are 'into' cooking or baking (i'm the last in line for that one) consider ingredients etc oh and if you watch Masterchef remember spices and any other related stuff i am unaware of.
On that note, cakes !
BABY FORMULA ? PET FOOD?
SPECIAL OR MEDICAL DIET ?
Storage space can indeed prove a problem for both food and especially water, while the need for storage is required we have to live 'normal' and do not want the place looking like the local corner shop. Time to clear a cupboard or two, think under bed space etc
Sit down in each room and take time to look around and 'through' things, bottom drawers often have space under, under kitchen cupboards by unscrewing a kick board. Top of a wardrobe can be used neatly and unobtrusively using suitcases for instance. Some hidden food is a good idea in the case of theft you will not lose the lot. Hidden space will depend on your home, consider heating pipe 'warm spots' flood risk etc and be sure that you have thoroughly thought of your storage needs, consider adding nurishment drinks too
DO NOT STORE ALL YOUR FOOD IN ONE PLACE OTHERWISE IN EVENT OF CALAMITY YOU COULD LOSE THE LOT
How much do we store in the U.K ? 3 years, a year, a month ? Depends i suppose just how you prep and what you prep for. Let's not forget having a food supply can supply you and yours through illness if you cannot get out and through job loss. In reality one in three people are a months salary away from losing their homes (Shelter.org) something sad to consider
survivalcache.com
KEEP A LIST OF YOUR STORES IF YOU STORE MUCH, IT MAKES IT EASY TO CHECK AND ROTATE. We run through ours and use / replace twice yearly
FOOD LINKS
Food storage infographic
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| http://www.blog.emergencyfoodstorage.co.uk/ STORE BIN BAGS WITH YOUR FOOD STORAGE AS IT MAKES FOR QUICK AND EASY FOOD REMOVAL TO THE BOV IF NEEDS REQUIRE |
Just for fun . . .
WATER STORAGE
Remember you can go without water for three days but alcohol for none, er no that's not right, well something like that anyway : )
Mains water shortages can also happen outside of major disasters be it by accidental contamination or burst water mains etc. Drinking water should be one of your priority preps. Storing tap water is the cheapest option, if you are storing tap water that is either chlorinated or chloramined you require no additive. Rotation ? I only do this yearly, cleaning prior to refill i use water and bleach then rinse. Ensure storage is dark and cool
HAVING YOUR WATER AUTHORITIES DETAILS CAN PROVE USEFUL FOR LOCALISED UPDATES BE IT RECORDED MESSAGE BY PHONE OR TWITTER FEED
So how much to store?
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| Link - Drinking water NHS |
A rule often given is one gallon per person per day, however all we need to survive is 1.2 litres of fluid per day to drink, climate dependant. Obviously other factors are cooking and the like. If that gallon or gallons had to be collected day in day out respect for drinking water would indeed increase. Back home before i was a teenager it was communal standpipe collection then into a drum, not a problem until it was your turn to fill that drum ha. Water from other sources for washing, washing up (boiled) and sanitation should be considered such as a rain butt
Our water storage is a mix of both tap stored and shop purchased. The main storage consists of a number of stackable U.N water holders, filled by tap. If you are building an emergency supply stagger it, that way you will not have a rather lengthy and boring job to do come rotation, we use / change yearly, date your containers
Safety seal/caps available separately
Stackable
I do basic filter all the stored tap water although probably not necessary
ENSURE THAT YOUR STORAGE CONTAINER IS NOT ONLY SUITABLE BUT THOROUGHLY CLEAN
DO NOT STORE ALL YOUR WATER IN ONE PLACE
If you store the whole supply in one you could lose the lot in case of contamination, leak or theft or some other disaster etc, it can also give you problems if you have to relocate swiftly, ensure you have a reasonable 'ready to go' supply
KEEP IT MOBILE
Keep your water storage, or at least some of it, reasonable transportable should you need to leave quickly, it might seem a great idea to store a ton of the stuff at one single point but not practical should you need to leg it
KEEP IT MOBILE
Keep your water storage, or at least some of it, reasonable transportable should you need to leave quickly, it might seem a great idea to store a ton of the stuff at one single point but not practical should you need to leg it
A FEW METHODS
Using full open top (once the lids off) containers for water storage such as those for home brewing are fine although be cautious not to introduce contaminates into it once opened for use, use a dedicated jug for removal and keep fingers and hands out the water. Clean the top before you open
Shop purchased bottled is probably the easiest way although not necessarily the best or cheapest if you intend on large storage
Tap filled bottled, remember not to reuse the reused, they will go brittle and eventually start to degrade
Personal carry containers
Storing possible unsafe water. If you find yourself in a crunch situation like this with no possible solution at the time it is do or die. Never store possible contaminated water into a smaller container, you could have a more potent solution to deal with. Bacteria etc will multiply more rapidly in a smaller container especially at room temperature. Always treat direct from the suspect source as opposed from removing to treat as you need later.
Have at least one form of water purification in case you have to source water elsewhere, tablets are the cheapest, a large range of filters available for all budgets
LINK - Drinksafe
ADDITIONAL WATER SOURCE
Having an already sourced external additional water supply is a very worthwhile option even if you intend to 'bug in'
It is worthwhile to check your source through the seasons for reliability and never assume because it was safe to drink or available last time it is safe and or available now
Back home, Cape Town, the city was destined to have it's taps run dry due to drought, a little knowledge will find an abundance of springs at numerous locations on table mountain for those that want to trek it and know where to look
Why and who's next for drought?
Drought Cape Town
Having a little localised knowledge out of the norm can provide many benefits in a risk situation including for both food and water.
As with your food store, remember to stock some 'extras' of what you like
ADDITIONAL WATER SOURCE
Having an already sourced external additional water supply is a very worthwhile option even if you intend to 'bug in'
Why and who's next for drought?
Having a little localised knowledge out of the norm can provide many benefits in a risk situation including for both food and water.
As with your food store, remember to stock some 'extras' of what you like
ROTATE TAP STORED YEARLY.
ANY STORED CAN BE USED AS PER NORMAL SO NO WASTE OR EXTRA COST.
STORE COOL AND DARK OFF CONCRETE.
USE FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
WHEN CLEANING SWISH OUT WITH A LITTLE PLAIN BLEACH MIX, RINSE, AIR DRY.
ANY STORED CAN BE USED AS PER NORMAL SO NO WASTE OR EXTRA COST.
STORE COOL AND DARK OFF CONCRETE.
USE FOOD GRADE CONTAINERS.
WHEN CLEANING SWISH OUT WITH A LITTLE PLAIN BLEACH MIX, RINSE, AIR DRY.
WATER LINKS
Also on this blog
As with all articles within this blog all information is given in good faith with no responsibility taken for outcome of following such information in part or in full
