March – Emergency Food
The “Get Ready; Stay Ready” campaign focus for the month of March is on emergency food. This area of preparedness should be given some serious consideration as hunger can exacerbate an already difficult emotional state-of-being following a disaster in addition to requiring it as a basic physical need. This planning process doesn’t have to be difficult; however, it could be a little more complex depending on the needs of the individuals in a family. Some of these factors could include restrictive dietary needs, food allergies, available resources to prepare food and the identification of specific comfort foods.
In addition to some of the considerations identified above, the UCIPD would like to offer some best practices and appropriate guidance for the selection, maintenance and rotation of your emergency food supply:
• Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.
• Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation. You may already have many of these on hand. (Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.)
• Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is cool.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect against pests and to extend its shelf life.
• Throw out any canned goods that become swollen, dented, or corroded.
• Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies.
• Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
• Change stored items every six months.
• Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
• Taking dietary requirements in to consideration, the following items are some of the more common and recommended food selections:
Ready-to-eat meats, fruits and vegetables.
Canned or boxed juices, milk and soup.
High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium crackers, granola bars & trail mix.
Vitamins
Special foods for infants or persons on special diets.
Cookies
Instant coffee
Cereals
Powdered milk
The goal, similar to that of water which we discussed last month, is to store enough food for every member in your household (including pets) for a minimum of 72 hours. If you can manage 7-10 days of supplies this is even better as this will be a more likely scenario following a significant earthquake here in southern California.
We encourage the community to partner with the UC Irvine Police Department to prevent or report crime by calling (949) 824-5223. If you wish to remain Anonymous, call “OC Crime Stoppers” by dialing 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227), text "OCCS" plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the website http://occrimestoppers.org/
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