When a disaster or emergency strikes, the way you respond can have a huge impact on your personal safety and future. Although no one can predict exactly when or where a disaster will strike, there are things you can do to increase your chances of survival if the worst should happen. Preparing yourself and your family for an unexpected emergency is the best way to protect yourself from the potential dangers that lurk when you least expect them. Preparing for an emergency doesn’t need to be difficult. With some planning and readiness, you can build up a stock of essential supplies so that you and your family will be protected in almost any situation. Stocking up on food is perhaps one of the most important things you can do as a prepper, because if you don’t have access to food then it doesn’t matter how many other supplies you have stored away somewhere else. Read on to learn more about ideal foods for UK preppers.

Basics of Food Storage

When stocking up on food, you will want to make sure that everything is stored properly so that it lasts as long as possible. This will depend on the type of food item, the packaging it comes in and how you store it once you get it home. Foods that are exposed to light and humidity will spoil much more quickly than those kept in a cool and dark place. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that light cannot penetrate the storage container. Keep in mind that the cooler you keep your food, the longer it will last. You should choose a cool, dry place for long-term food storage. Avoid extreme temperatures, such as attics and crawl spaces, which tend to fluctuate in temperature and humidity. You may want to consider purchasing a food dehydrator if you plan on storing large quantities of fruits and vegetables. This will extend the life of your produce significantly.

Stocking up on the Basics

Water – Every year in the UK, people die from dehydration and exposure to excessive heat, even when the temperatures aren’t extreme. It is therefore essential to store enough water for your family and pets in the event of a disaster. Water is also needed for hygiene, cooking, and sanitation.

Food – While it may be tempting to stock up on tasty treats like chocolate, crisps, and biscuits, these foods are low in nutritional value and won’t sustain you or your family for long when a disaster occurs. Instead, you should focus on storing food that has long-term nutritional value. Dry foods such as grains, legumes, pulses, nuts and seeds are a great choice, or freeze-dried meals can provide an even better solution.

Pet food – If you are a pet owner, you should ensure you have enough food stored away to last your furry friend at least two weeks.

Longer-Term Food Storage

• Dry grains, legumes, and pulses – These are an ideal choice for longer-term food storage since they are inexpensive, easy to store, and nutritious. They also don’t require refrigeration, which makes them ideal for a disaster situation. If you buy whole grains and legumes, they can be ground into flour and used to make a range of nutritious foods.
• Canned foods – Canned foods are another great choice for long-term food storage, as they are airtight and can last for years. However, you should rotate your canned food every year to make sure it doesn’t go bad.
• Freeze-dried foods – Freeze-dried foods are a great option for those who have limited space for long-term food storage. They are similar to canned goods and can last for years if stored properly.

Stock Rotation

When storing long-term food, it is a good idea to rotate your stocks so that you can eat the oldest supplies first. Doing this will help to prevent food poisoning and make sure your family doesn’t get sick. The longer the shelf life of the food the better, as this gives more time for food items to be consumed, and with specialist freeze dried meals stock rotation could be reduced to just an annual activity.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet While Prepping

While it is important to stock up on the staples, they should make up just a small portion of your overall diet. To maintain a balanced diet, you should eat fresh and unprocessed foods as much as possible. If you can become more self-sufficient in other ways then this can help you maintain a healthy balanced diet – for example growing your own fruit and vegetables, or keeping certain livestock.

Conclusion

Prepping for an emergency isn’t something you should necessarily do every month but regular top ups is the bet approach. It’s something you should do consistently and constantly, making sure that your supplies don’t run out and that they’re rotated so that they last as long as possible. Make sure that you have a plan for what you will do if an emergency does happen, so that you don’t waste valuable time trying to decide what to do next. And most importantly, make sure that your family is prepared.