Let's Prepare Together

Level 1

1-2 Weeks' Supply (Pantry Supplies)

Store enough supplies to last at least two weeks (when evacuation is not required).

This should include:

• Canned goods, baking supplies, juices, flour . . . the basics that you use to prepare meals every day.
• Learn how to squeeze food storage into your budget.
• Just beginning? Check Food Storage for Beginners and Food Storage Guidelines.
• How much should you store of what? Use our food storage calculator and food storage chart for suggestions.
• Begin storing water.
• This is a good time to put your 72-hour bags together, as well as auto emergency kits for each of your vehicles.
• Develop a family emergency plan that will include contact lists, lists of important papers, phone numbers, meeting places in case of emergencies, etc.
  

Level 2

3 to 6 Months' Supply

Begin putting away enough supplies to last 3 - 6 months (staying where you are or moving to another location where you have stashed these supplies).

• Most important is water. Begin by learning how to store it and how to purify it.
• Begin learning the shelf life of foods and buying products that will last (unopened) for 3 to 6 months or more.
• Learn how to use oxygen absorbers, Mylar bags to pack your own bulk foods.
• Design your own method of rotating your food storage.
• Learn how to safely store foods long term.
• Begin to assemble a substantial first aid kit. Choose a container big enough to hold a good supply of over-the-counter drugs and wound care items. 

Level 3

Long Term - 1 to 2 Year Supply

• Begin purchasing food storage basics such wheat, rice, beans, honey, and sugar. These types of foods will last many years, even without being sealed with oxygen absorbers. (Read why you should not use O2 absorbers in sugar or honey.)
• Invest in long term foods such as freeze dried and dehydrated foods.
• Learn to dehydrate your own  (easy, fun and saves money!)
• Store frozen foods (as long as electricity is available)
• Learn to can/bottle foods to add variety to your menus. (Canned foods also add needed water for cooking when water is scarce.)
• Consider how you would store large amounts of water.
• Invest in one or more water purification systems.

Level 4

Long, Long Term - 2+ Years' Supply

Develop skills and abilities to provide food, water, clothing, and shelter for your family for 2+ years, basically living off-grid.

This is where your efforts grow exponentially. Preparing for a long term survival situation takes, not only money, but time. Yes, you should continue to add to your food storage too, but learn self reliance skills as you add food.

• Learn to plant a garden.
• Buy a hand grinder to grind wheat and other grains. (They will grind coffee beans too.)
• Invest in a variety of light sources for when the power goes out.
• Learn how to cook food without electricity.
• Think seriously about sanitation if the toilets don't flush because the sewer system is not working.
• Invest in more than one way to keep your family warm without the furnace, or cool without the AC.
• Invest in a way to generate your own electricity.
• Know where to find water you'll need because it's nearly impossible to store years and years of it.