Before you know it the summer will be here and with it the possibility of hydro outages due to inclement weather.
When Toronto was hit by the Big Blackout back in 2003 my Girl Guide motto of 'Be Prepared' rang in my ears as I scrambled to get the necessary emergency items all in one place. I now keep an emergency pantry in my basement in two large plastic resealable bins.
My list may seem daunting, but being prepared for whatever comes our way is a great proactive step towards taking care of our families and ourselves.
Here's what I keep on hand:
Bottled water in 4L bottles, plus several 500 mL bottles. Health Canada recommends 2 L of water per person per day (don't forget your pets) and enough food and water for 72 hours or three days. Being an anal professional home economist I like to error on the side of caution so I keep six days worth of supplies. Replace food and water once a year.Cans of salmon, tuna and beans. All great protein sources.Canned fruit like apricots, peaches, mandarin oranges, pears and pineapple plus jars of apple sauce.A manual can opener Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, cranberries, figs and dates. Great for energy and nutrient dense as well.Milk or soy beverage and 100% juice in Tetra Pak cartons. Milk or soy beverage packaged in Tetra Pak cartons doesn't require refrigeration until opened. Peanut butter. Great protein source and a healthy fat.Nuts - Choose your favourite nut. I'm a walnut fan. Change supply of nuts every three months.Whole grain crackers. Great to use instead of bread.Dry cereal. You can have a bowl of cereal with the milk in the Tetra Pak cartons.Granola bars. Try choosing a high fibre one. Kasha makes a great line of granola bars.Electrolyte drinks like Gatorade in case someone gets ill. Great way to rehydrate after a stomach or GI infection.Baby supplies, food and formula.Don't forget your pets - pet food.Mini camp stove with fuel. I have a small Japanese cooker that runs on butane. Use in a well ventilated area. (Never barbeque inside your house.)Toilet paper and tissues. Any medications that you need on a daily basis. Ask your doctor for an extra prescription that you can fill. Change the stock every three months.Multivitamins. Change every year.Alcohol wipes and hand sanitizer.First Aid Kit including essentials like ibuprofen, anti-nausea, anti-diarrhea products, band aids and disinfectant. Change every year.Flashlights with extra batteries. Change stock once a year. Candles and matches.Hand cranked wind up radio. I bought one after the Big Blackout and have used it many times.Some cash including change.Health Canada recommends that you have copies of your birth certificate, passport, and license in a plastic resealable baggie.Tips on house and food safety in a power outage:
Turn off all electronic equipment and appliances to prevent damage from a power surge when the power is restored.Turn off all lights except one inside the house and another outside so you and the hydro crews will know when the power has been restored.Don't open your freezer if possible. Cover with a thermal blanket. A fully stocked chest freezer will keep foods frozen for up to two days, an upright freezer for one day. When food begins to defrost (usually after two days), it should be cooked; otherwise it should be thrown out.Here's a great tip from Health Canada - keep a bag of ice in your freezer. If there was a power outage while you were away and the ice cubes have thawed and then refrozen into mass there is a good chance the food has spoiled. The old safety rule will apply - when in doubt throw it out. Keep the fridge door closed. The food should remain cold for approximately four to six hours. Recommendations from the Ontario Ministry of Health:
Discard any food that has been above 4 C (40F) for more
than two hours. This includes: raw or cooked meat, poultry, seafood and luncheon
meats, casseroles, stews or soups, milk and soft cheeses, homemade mayonnaise or
dressings, cooked pasta, potatoes or rice, and salads made with any of these
foods.
Recommendations from
the Ontario Ministry of Health: Some foods in your fridge will remain safe for
up to two days. These include:butter, margarine, hard
or processed cheese, mustard, ketchup, olives, peanut butter, jam and jellies.
Fresh fruits and vegetables will deteriorate quickly in heat so try to store in
a cool place.
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