Preparing for a long stay at home
April 9, 2020
Debbie Carter
907-474-5406
By Art Nash, Leslie Shallcross and Julie Cascio
Alaska's local emergency planning commissions recommend having seven days of alternative fuels, sundry supplies, and food and water for each household member and each pet. However, our current crisis requires many people to self-quarantine for two weeks and for all people to limit leaving the home.
Emergency preparations for prolonged home stays should consider your usual emergency preparation checklist, plans for restricted public contact and the possible development of illness in the household.
While at home, you will most likely have a continuation of utility services. But, as you continue adapting to staying at home, be sure to gather necessary supplies for potential power outages and consider the need for alternative heat, lighting, cooking and refrigeration. Put batteries and appropriate alternative fuel sources on your shopping list. And, make a family plan for what you will do if the power goes out.
Everyone in the household should know the location of your supplies. Consider filling up your car’s gas tank more often. Make arrangements to assure delivery of home heating fuel and water, or fill these yourself.
Water is one essential in any emergency situation. To prepare for possible power outages, buy bottled water or put water from your tap into sterile, food-safe containers with covers. If your water supply is non-chlorinated, 1/8 teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon will help keep the water safe during storage. A gallon of water per person per day should be sufficient, although dry climates, exercise and illness may increase water needs. Store enough water for three days or longer if space permits.
Consider lifting abilities and strengths of household members when choosing water storage containers. (i.e., 5 gallons weighs just under 42 pounds and 1 quart weighs around 2 pounds). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers additional suggestions on creating and storing an emergency water supply at https://bit.ly/CDCwatersupply.
Prior to grocery shopping, consider your available food storage space and current food inventory and plan a menu for a week. You can repeat this when creating your two-week supply list. Include fruits and vegetables for essential nutrients but focus on shelf-stable canned or dry and frozen foods to avoid waste.
Choose fresh foods that keep well, such as carrots, cabbage, rutabaga, sweet potatoes, apples and oranges. Skip the fresh berries, unless you will use them in a day or two. Think about foods that might be needed if a family member becomes ill. For food safety, purchase an inexpensive refrigerator/freezer thermometer and a food thermometer. If the power to your refrigerator goes out, you will need these to make sure that your food is safe to eat.
The University of Georgia offers additional recommendations about emergency food supply and short-term food storage at https://bit.ly/emergencysupply. Utah State University Extension also provides “A Guide to Food Storage for Emergencies” at https://bit.ly/usufoodstorage.
General first aid supplies should go on your shopping list. In addition to the basics, have a thermometer, tissues, hand soap and supplies for cleaning and sanitizing the home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have detailed specific guidance on household preparations for any household member illness. These will be important to understand and discuss with family members, especially if an individual in the household needs to be isolated. See the guidance at https://bit.ly/CDChousehold.
An emergency-prepared household will keep important documents such as wills, health care directives, insurance information, bills, and friend and family phone numbers and pin numbers/passwords in known and protected locations. This can go a long way to reducing confusion if injury or illness requires hospitalization of a family member.
For more information, contact Art Nash at 907-322-2309 or alnashjr@alaska.edu or Leslie Shallcross at 907-242-6138 or lashallcross@alaska.edu.
Art Nash is an Extension energy specialist, and Leslie Shallcross and Julie Cascio are health, home and family development Extension agents based Fairbanks and Palmer, respectively.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is part of a national educational network supported by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities.