Food
You don’t need to go out and buy special foods to prepare an emergency food supply. You can use the canned foods and other staples on your cupboard shelves.  In fact, familiar foods are important.  They can lift spirits and give a feeling of security in time of stress.  Also, many canned foods don’t need cooking, water or special preparation.  Just be sure to have an adequate supply always on hand.  Consider multivitamins and supplements also.

Special Considerations:  People with special diets and allergies will need more attention, as will babies, toddlers and elderly people.  Nursing mothers may need to give their baby liquid formula in case they can’t nurse.  Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for ill or elderly people.  Make sure you have a hand-operated (not electric) can opener and disposable utensils.  And don’t forget food for your pets.

Heat and Light
Have lots of flashlights and extra batteries and bulbs on hand.  Keep a flashlight next to your bed.  Check batteries often.  Be careful using open flame candles or lanterns for emergency lighting.

Examine your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms now.  If you have alarms that are hard-wired into your home’s electrical system (most newer ones are), check to see if they have battery back-ups.  If not, buy battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  If you already have detectors, clean and test them.  A working smoke detector can double your chances of survival. Replace all batteries in all alarms each year as a general safety precaution.  If you rent your home, ask your landlord about doing this.

If you plan to use alternate equipment for heat, cooking and light during a power failure, be sure to check your equipment periodically.  Have an adequate supply of fuel stored (not in the house).  Have fireplace chimneys and stove flues cleaned regularly.