Every family should have survival food on hand

Survival foods have received a lot of publicity as people have become more aware of terrorist threats and the ravages that natural disasters can cause. Having a supply of survival food on hand that can be used in an emergency is a good idea for any family. Ideally, emergency food kits should include non-perishable foods that do not need to be heated before being consumed. Foods like peanut butter, cookies, energy bars, granola bars, cereals, nuts, canned fruit, dried fruit, canned tuna, canned chicken, and canned meats are good to use as emergency foods.

It is recommended that a family have enough food stored to be able to feed everyone in the home for 72 hours after an emergency or natural disaster. It is essential to this plan to remember to include a can opener with survival food supplies in case some cans do not have openable lids. Be sure to keep them in a place that is not damaged by wind or water and is accessible. The family should also be vigilant to ensure that the food in the emergency kit remains usable. This may require periodically checking supplies and replacing anything that has passed the date of your security code. In addition to non-perishable items for sustenance, a survival food  kit should also include enough water or other liquid to keep family members alive.

There are many emergency food survival kits available for purchase, but most people can create their own emergency stores. The advantage of buying a kit instead of creating your own is that most kits are stored with freeze-dried food. They allow the user a choice of what they will eat that will please them. At a cost of between $ 100 and $ 200 per kit for a two-person food supply for 72 hours, they are inexpensive and most arrive in well-packed containers that take up little space.

While everyday foods can certainly provide the foundation for your food kits, there are also freeze-dried and ready-to-eat foods (MREs, which are used by the military) that can be purchased and added to a household survival food supply . Many foods designed for camping may also be appropriate to include in a survival kit. While some of the food offerings are basic, some offer quality gourmet dishes. Most of these prepared meals are designed to offer a large amount of calories to provide as much energy as possible.

Included with the emergency food should be a means of heating the products, if possible. This may include a camp stove and fuel supply, a propane grill, or a charcoal grill. Care should be taken that none of these items are used indoors. They all release carbon monoxide and without proper ventilation this can be deadly in an enclosed space. Once a storm or threat passes, these cooktops should only be used outdoors to heat survival food.