Best Emergency Food SupplyIn the event of an emergency the first thing that comes to mind is checking on your loved ones and making sure everyone is safe. Family tends to gather together and shelter in place until the situation begins to pass. Tragedy can strike in different ways, for instance, if the electricity was to go out all of the perishable food would be ruined within hours unless you had a generator. Gas powered generators are reliable but the newest generators rely on solar power and natural gas.  Having a supply of food on hand can sustain a family in the event of an emergency, and it's important to choose food items that can be stored safely and are easily accessible. Purchase a ready-made supply of food to keep on hand from a company specializing in non-perishable emergency food, or pull together your own inventory using the list provided. If you need help to access the printable list offered here, check out these helpful tips.


Long Term Food Supply ChecklistEmergency preparedness expert Dr. Francis Edwards says there is more to gathering emergency food supplies than just buying a large quantity of canned goods. "Think about what you ordinarily eat and drink. I want to eat and drink what I eat and drink every day. Think about the psychological aspect - what do you reach for when you're stressed? You want comfort food."
Robert Siciliano, personal and home security specialist with Best Home Security Companies and best-selling author, agrees with the need to include comfort foods in a food list for an emergency preparedness kit. According to Siciliano, "FEMA recommends the following items when selecting emergency food supplies."

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and a can opener
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• Food for infants

"Have a supply for a minimum of three days to three weeks," adds Siciliano. "Some prepare for an entire year."
What to Buy for an Emergency Food SupplyDr. Edwards emphasizes the need for other life-sustaining supplies that should be kept with emergency food. "Discuss medication needs with your doctor. Always have a 30-day supply of medications. Your community will bring in food and water in an emergency, but nobody is going to bring your medications." Add non-prescription medication and vitamin supplements to your food supply for easy access in an emergency.
Siciliano asserts the importance of an ample emergency water supply to accompany the food supply. "Buy pre-packaged bottled water and store it under beds." He also suggests having rain barrels for collecting rainwater. "Place the barrel at the base of your home's gutter."
Keep a supply of food on hand for any pets within the home as well.
Purchase Ready-Made Emergency KitsSiciliano endorses three options for purchasing ready-made emergency preparedness food supplies.
#1 The Survival Prep Store: This company provides prepackaged, dehydrated meals that only need water to prepare. The long shelf life of these foods (up to 25 years) makes this a great option for long-term emergency preparedness.
#2 Valley Food Storage: Freeze dried foods and meals are available in a variety of quantities, and they offer gluten-free and dairy-free options as well. Free shipping is available on order of $150 or more.
#3 Costco: Membership warehouse Costco offers a rotating stock of emergency food kits and individual items alongside their other emergency-preparedness supplies.
Emergency Food Supply CheapInstead of buying a ready-made kit, you can also choose to piece together your own kit using foods that are specifically designed to have a long shelf-life. As an editor for The Sustainable Survivalist, I was sent samples from The Survival Prep Store, a company that makes dehydrated meals designed for emergency preparedness and for other scenarios such as camping trips. The food I reviewed was incredibly easy to prepare, had a long shelf life, was easy to store, and tasted good. Survival Prep Store's food boasts a 25-year shelf life in pouches and a 25-year shelf life in cans, which makes it ideal for long-term food supplies.
How to Store Emergency Food SuppliesStore your emergency food in a place where it is accessible. A cool, dry area is best. "Buy a large trash bin on wheels and use that as a storage bin," advises Dr. Edwards. "It's easy to move." Siciliano adds, "Store food in a place above what might get flooded and away from pests or animals."
Dr. Edwards says some food should be stored in the family car, and parents should consider creating an emergency food kit that each child can store at school.
Rotate your food supply to make sure the items you have on hand haven't expired. Pay attention to expiration dates and check periodically to ensure all items are still intact in their packages.
Be PreparedHaving shelf-stable food available in an emergency can keep a bad situation from turning into a catastrophic one. Whether you piece together an inventory or purchase a ready-made, full food supply kit, knowing that there is food available in an emergency can bring comfort to everyone in your household.

​As part of every school's emergency preparedness program, a classroom lockdown safety kit should be included in the supplies of each classroom.
The Need for Safety Lockdown Kits in Schools
As more acts of violence target schools, the need for safety lockdown kits in every classroom becomes clear. Whether the violence is initiated by a student or intruder within the school, an armed person outside the building or the threat of a terrorist attack in the vicinity, school officials must be prepared to keep their students safe.
Classroom lockdown kits are also important in the event of natural disasters. Depending on the area where you live, school emergency preparations may include keeping students in their classrooms to keep them safe. These types of natural disasters include:

• Hurricanes
• Earthquakes
• Floods
• Tornadoes
• Severe storms

Following a natural disaster the area may be left without electrical power, immediate road access or fresh drinking water.

What is Included in a Classroom Safety Lockdown KitWhen danger or disaster is eminent, a safety lockdown kit for the classroom provides each student with the essentials they need for a period of three days or 72 hours. Most of the companies that offer school survival lockdown kits have two different versions, basic and deluxe.
Basic Classroom Lockdown KitA basic lockdown kit generally includes emergency survival supplies for an average size classroom of 30 students. Since most classrooms do not contain their own bathroom, lockdown kits also include a portable toilet. Although lockdown kits differ slightly from company to company, the following is an example of the contents of a basic, or standard, kit.

• A five gallon bucket that stores all of the supplies and doubles as a portable toilet
• A toilet seat which doubles as the lid to the bucket for storage
• Two toilet bags complete with chemicals
• Roll of toilet paper
• A bottle of hand sanitizer
• Hygienic wet naps - usually a package of 100
• Air freshener
• Roll of duct tape
• A plastic tarp
• A small First Aid kit
• 10 water purification tablets
• Emergency bright stick

Deluxe Classroom Lockdown Kit
​
The deluxe lockdown kit may include all of the items that are included in the basic kit plus the following:

• 30 individual packages of water
• Five calorie food bars which total 2,400 calories each (a total of 12,000 calories). Each food bar consists of 6 individually wrapped bars that a specially made to have a five-year shelf life.
• 5-in1 survival whistle
• A flashlight with a cell phone charger, a siren and an AM/FM radio
• 5 pairs of latex-free gloves
• A deck of playing cards

Where to Find Safety Lockdown Kits for ClassroomsMost safety lockdown kits for schools are offered by companies that sell emergency preparedness supplies, survival items and safety kits for individual and family needs, businesses and organizations. There are also emergency survival kits for pets. The Internet has many companies that offer classroom lockdown kits and other safety survival supplies. The following is a small sampling of these websites.

• iPrepare offers an emergency classroom lockdown kit.
• More Prepared offers a basic and deluxe classroom lockdown kit, individual school survival and school emergency kits for children and a portable safety kit in a backpack on wheels. More Prepared also provides a printable emergency checklist and an emergency preparedness guides for home or car.
• Emergency and Disaster Supplies

Making sure that each classroom, from preschool through college, contains a classroom lockdown safety kit is one aspect of school emergency preparedness. Each member of the community, from parents and teachers to administrators and security guards, share the responsibility of keeping schools safe.

​Best Medications to Stockpile for Emergencies and Everyday Use

Picture this: You’ve woken up at 3 AM with a pounding headache, lockdown measures are in place, and the nearest health facility is miles away. In such a scenario, having a well-stocked home pharmacy could prove decisive.
Stockpiling on the right medication is essential in handling emergencies, combating sickness, and promoting the well-being of your family. But which medications should you include in your pharmacy? Read on to find out:
Important Considerations While Stockpiling Medication
First things first; it’s important to grasp some of the best practices when it comes to maintaining a well-stocked home pharmacy. It’s not just a case of buying medications based on recommendations you find online. Here are some of the most important considerations:
Anticipated Use
Stockpiling medications is a highly personalized endeavor. Sure, there are some must-have drugs such as painkillers and anti-inflammatories that everyone is likely to use—but others depend on the unique needs of your household.
Evaluate your specific needs/risk factors or those of your family members—and stockpile medications that they’re likely to use every day or for emergencies. Consider whether anyone has a chronic medical condition, allergies, or drug preference. Also consider the demographics such as age, disability, gender, etc.
Quantity Needed
What is the ideal quantity of drugs to buy? Well, there’s no clear answer to this question. It comes down to your needs – i.e., store the amount you’d need in the worst-case scenario. But ensure it’s a reasonable quantity that factors in the expiration dates. You don’t want to overstock and throw away medications after they go unused long past their expiration date.
Storage Conditions
Contrary to common practice, the medicine cabinet above your bathroom sink is not the best place to store medication. Humidity and heat are not kind on shelf-life and potency. The general rule of thumb is to store medication in a cool, dark, and dry location—preferably in their original packaging. And ensure all the medication or chemicals in your household are stored out of reach of children.
10 of the Best OTC and Prescription Medications to Stockpile
Stockpiling on medication doesn’t have to be an expensive or stressful exercise. With the right tips and recommendations to nudge you in the right direction, you can be well-prepared for emergencies or any other use.
The meds listed below are a good starting point—but your medicine cabinet might be different and unique to your needs.

1. Aspirin – Ecotrin, Bayer

If you’re looking to stockpile on medications to reduce inflammation/swelling, control mild to moderate pain, and reduce fever, Aspirin is a good choice.
It’s a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s effective for conditions such as headaches, common cold, toothaches, common cold, muscle aches, and arthritis management. Aspirin may also be recommended to prevent blood clots (i.e., it’s a blood thinner) when used in low dosages—consequently helping reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

1. Ibuprofen – Advil, Motrin

Like Aspirin, Ibuprofen is a common NSAID used to relieve pain, sores, sinus pressure, muscle strain, painful kidney infections, and fever. It’s also an effective pain killer used to ease back pain, headaches, arthritis pain, toothaches, menstrual cramps, sinus pain, and earaches, among other illnesses.
Ibuprofen is available as a syrup, capsules, tablets, spray, mousse, and as a gel. It’s sometimes combined with other pain-relieving medications such as Acetaminophens to better manage fever and pain. However, high doses or prolonged use may increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.

1. Acetaminophen – Tylenol

Acetaminophen is an effective medication for fever reduction and managing minor pains/aches—including menstrual cramps, toothaches, muscle aches, arthritis-related pain, headaches, back pain, and the common cold. You may find it useful if you occasionally get headaches after missing your daily intake of caffeine in the morning.
Unlike Ibuprofen or Aspirin, Acetaminophen is not an anti-inflammatory—and it has minimal side effects as long you keep consumption within the recommended limits.

1. Pseudoephedrine – Sudafed

Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter medication that’s effective for the relief of respiratory tract congestion. It’s especially a handy item in your medicine cabinet during flu season—when the risk of bronchitis, allergies hay fever, flu, and common cold is high.
Please note that Pseudoephedrine can only be purchased from the pharmacy and quantities buyable in one go are restricted. This is because it’s a stimulant that may be used in the manufacturing of illicit drugs.

1. Meclizine – Bonine, Dramamine

If anyone in your family tends to suffer from motion sickness, insomnia, or anxiety, stockpiling on Meclizine may prove useful. The medication—which is an antihistamine—is also effective in proving relief for vertigo and vomiting. It comes as an oral tablet and it’s important to follow the prescribed dosage to mitigate risks or side effects.

1. Diphenhydramine – Benadryl

Diphenhydramine is another antihistamine that’s used to relieve the symptoms of common cold, hay fever, anxiety, insomnia, motion sickness, and some allergies. The prescription medicine helps with an itchy throat, watery/itchy eyes, hives, and a runny nose—making it a must-have medication to stockpile.

1. Clotrimazole – Gyne-Lotrimin

Yeast and fungal infections on your skin are a nag and could potentially lead to serious health problems. To keep the infections in check, consider stockpiling on Clotrimazole. It is effective in treating ringworm athlete’s foot, jock itch, and candidiasis, among other fungal infections.
Keep in mind that it’s applied topically, regularly, and you should wash your hands after use.

1. Bacitracin Ointment – Baciguent

Afraid that some of your family members might be victims of insect bites and stings? Or maybe lacerations, abrasions, and other minor cuts? Having a tube (or more) of Bacitracin anti-bacterial ointment may be a wise addition to your medicine cabinet.
It helps manage infections in superficial wounds—but it’s not advisable for deep puncture wounds and deeper infections.

1. Hydrocortisone Cream

If you need medication to reduce topical swelling, itching, and redness, Hydrocortisone cream is worth your consideration. It’s used to treat a wide range of skin irritations—including scrapes, cuts, diaper rash, hives, eczema, discomfort from hemorrhoids, minor pain, and poison ivy irritation.
10. Antibiotics
Disclaimer: Antibiotics should be used under the direction of a licensed and qualified health care provider. Prescriptions are typically made after accurate diagnosis—hence the decision to stockpile demands careful consideration. 
Taking the disclaimer above into consideration, the best antibiotic to stockpile for emergencies includes Cephalexin (Keflex), Metronidazole (Flagyl), and Ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
Are You Prepared?
The importance of a well-stocked medicine cabinet cannot be understated. It can help solve day-to-day medication needs and prepare you for emergencies.
Start by evaluating the medications in your medicine cabinet, the needs of your family, and some of the recommendations in this list—then plan on what you’re going to stock up on in your next drug store run.