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Stash away some smart foods in case of emergencies. Date published: 2/15/2009
DO YOU HAVE According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's not a question of whether we'll have a deadly flu pandemic, but when. Most of us weren't born when the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic hit, but it killed more people than World War I--20 million to 40 million, according to experts at Stanford University. Modern medicine is better than it was in the past, but there's still no cure for the flu. So it's still a good idea to stock supplies. My pantry is small, so Stockpiling food sounds melodramatic, but a few years ago, weathering Hurricane Isabel in Virginia, I was glad I had planned ahead. Our power wasn't out for very long, but just knowing we had everything we needed was a great comfort while the remnants of the storm roared outside. BUILDING YOUR SUPPLY I refresh my stash of food every year, either eating the food or donating it to a local food pantry. To me, the most daunting part of gathering a supply is storing enough water. Plan to have on hand a gallon of water per person per day, advises the Federal Emergency Management Agency. That's because the average person needs to drink a half-gallon per day--more during hot weather, heavy labor or illness. Plus, you want some water left over for washing. Next, focus on foods that come in single-serving containers, such as soups, or foods that won't spoil after opening, such as crackers. Also consider buying low-sodium foods, because salty foods make you thirsty. If you eat less salt, you won't use as much drinking water.
Date published: 2/15/2009
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