With the Australian bush fires devastating so much of Australia over 2019-2020, and now with Coronavirus fears mounting as the spread of the virus widens, there is no better time to be working on stocking an emergency supplies kit.
The best thing is, you can stock up on these items relatively inexpensively, and it means you can beat the mass hysteria and avoid the shops if a crisis or emergency does eventuate.
Here are some of the best items to stock in an emergency supplies kit:
1. Canned food.
Stock up on all different kinds of canned foods. Include in your selection canned meats such as tuna, salmon and turkey. Vegetables such as canned peas, carrots, mini potatoes and corn. Fruits such as canned peaches, pineapple, pear and apple. Legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, black eyed peas and kidney beans. Legumes are great because they are filling and nutritious. Also stock up on canned tomatoes which can easily be made into pasta sauces with a few herbs. Canned soups also make easy meals and are easy to stock up on.
2. Dried fruit, nuts and crackers.
Add to your emergency kit bags or boxes of dried fruits such as sultanas, apricots and dates, all of which have a long shelf life. Nuts are a fantastic source of good fats and protein, so you can stock up on cashews, macadamias, almonds and other nuts. Also stock up on whole-wheat and whole-grain crackers, which are great for lunches and for snacks. You can seal these in a vacuum-sealed bag for an even longer shelf life.
3. Frozen and dried meats.
In many cases, an emergency during a pandemic will not cause you to lose electricity, so you can easily store frozen meats such as lamb, beef and chicken in your freezer. It is also a great idea to stock dried meats such as jerky for essential protein and minerals.
4. Toilet paper.
The last thing you want during a quarantine is to run out of toilet paper, and risk infection by having to visited populated places like a grocery store. Toilet paper is one of the first things to go from shelves, so make sure you stock up on TP early!
5. Rice, pasta and cereals.
Long-lasting and a great source of carbohydrate and dietary fiber, stock up on rice, pasta and cereals in your emergency pantry. This is a particularly good idea if you need to feed a large family inexpensively. Simply add canned vegetables, meat and a pasta sauce and you have a filling meal ready to go. You can also stock up on flavored dry noodles which are inexpensive and great for lunches.
6. Long life milk and juice.
Grab some cartons of long life milk or milk powder. This can be added to cooking or used for breakfast cereal. Long life juice is also easy to stock.
7. Peanut butter, jams, sauces.
Peanut butter is a good source of protein and can also be used in baking and sauce bases. Jams have an excellent shelf life due to their high sugar content so can easily be kept in your emergency kit. It is also a great idea to stock some sauces such as tomato sauce/ketchup, soy sauce, mayonnaise and other sauces that add flavor to your meals.
8. Vitamins and electrolytes.
Prioritize keeping healthy, especially if you are in a house with a quarantined individual. Vitamin C or multivitamins and electrolytes are important to have stocked, and you can also get a hold of sports drinks which contain electrolytes to store in your kit.
9. Can opener.
Keep an emergency can opener with your kit. Because what good are all those canned foods if you can't get into them!
10. Pads and tampons.
Stock up on pads and tampons so you are not in an uncomfortable situation during an emergency or a quarantine when that-time-of-the-month arrives!
11. Medication.
If you are on medication, it is always imperative to have as much stock on hand as you can for an emergency. Speak to your doctor about your script and try to buy in bulk.
12. Soap, antibacterial wipes, household disinfectant and hand sanitizers.
Keep those hands clean! And make sure you are disinfecting not only your hands, but your household. It is especially important if you have been quarantined to keep your household disinfected. There is a risk of transmission from droplets, so if anyone has a hint of illness in your home, disinfect their room and common areas. Hand sanitizers are great for added safety if you do have to leave your home.
13. Duct tape and drop cloths.
If you do need to create a quarantine zone in your home, it can be very handy to have duct tape and drop cloths in your emergency kit. This means you can turn any room, for example a lounge room or open study into a quarantined area.
14. Petrol/fuel.
Keep your car topped up! In an emergency, petrol/gas stations can close. You can store fuel and petrol in secure cans and containers away from where you are storing your food.
15. First aid kit.
Make sure you have a first aid kit, and that it is topped up with all necessary items. A good first aid kit needs to include everything from saline to tweezers. During a pandemic, it is also good to stock up on face masks.
16. Pet food and baby food/diapers.
If you have pets or babies, make sure you do not forget to stock up on their essential items in your emergency kit. This includes canned/dried pet food, baby formula, diapers, baby wipes and baby food.
17. Luxury items.
If you are in an emergency situation, or stuck for a long time in quarantine, you might wish you had stocked up on some luxury items. Grab some potato crisps, chocolate, coffee, moisturizer, makeup wipes and even some essential oils in a diffuser to help keep your home smelling fresh. Make sure your board games are somewhere you can get to easily, and even order some new books to have on hand.
It is easy to feel prepared and ready for any kind of natural disaster or pandemic when you have essential items ready to go!
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