In case of a natural or man-made disaster, you'll need to have certain items stocked in your pantry. Remember that even though you live close to a local store, you may not be able to leave your house for several days, so that isn't an excuse for not stocking up.
Here are five staples to always keep on hand (in your pantry):
1) Bottled water. Your tap water may be deemed undrinkable unless boiled, and there's no guarantee that you'll have gas or electricity to power your stove, so you'll need bottled water for everything from drinking to cleaning wounds. Keep at least a case on hand for each member of your family.
2) Canned goods. A three-day supply is recommended. Make sure to have a good variety, included canned meats (like Spam), soups, beans, vegetables and fruits. There's no telling how long you may be stuck indoors, and you don't want to be malnourished in case you can get out and have to move on foot.
3) Crackers and Cereals. Choose salt-free varieties of both, and go for cereals that you can eat without milk. Again, keep a three-day supply of these in your pantry.
4) A non-electric can opener. Yes, you may have a can opener in a drawer on the other side of the kitchen, but it helps if you store a second one in your pantry. Why? If you don't have power or daylight, it's easier if everything is in one place. It's also quicker, just in case you only have several seconds to run in and out of the room.
5) Utensils. Obviously, you'll need something to eat your food with. I suggest buying a re-usable plastic set that comes with a plastic, lidded container, similar to the ones sold as camping supplies. The reasons for keeping these in your pantry are the same as those for a can opener.
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