Having an emergency preparedness reserve is essential for all Americans. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having a three-day supply of food and water stored in the home, with at least one gallon of water per person per day. To ensure adequate nutrition in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, experts suggest having a minimum of 2000 calories and 1 gallon of water per day, per person. For the 72-hour emergency kit, FEMA suggests 6000 calories and 3 gallons of water per person.
To be fully prepared, it is best to have a 30-day food reserve on hand. When creating a food stockpile, it is important to choose dense foods that don't take up much space, such as cans of beans and bags of rice. To increase your food supply from one month to three months, simply multiply your one-month food reserve list by three. A good emergency stock checklist can help you determine which foods are best for an emergency stockpile or survival food kit.
It is also important to consider long-term survival foods that have a shelf life of 25 to 30 years. Luxury foods can help families stay positive during a real emergency. Creating an emergency preparedness reserve can seem daunting, but with the right plan and checklist, you can ensure that you and your family are prepared for any situation.
