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Why prepare for an emergency?
Getting yourself and your family ready for unforeseen circumstances can help alleviate the challenges that may arise. Stockpiling essential items is done with the aim of preparing for potential disruptions in the supply chain. This preparation affords you time until authorities can restore a semblance of normalcy to the situation.
What are the potential causes?
Recent events have underscored this reality, with notable examples including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the obstruction of the Suez Canal, and the shortage of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers in the UK. Each of these incidents has had a significant impact on the availability of essential items.
What should you stock?
The essential items to stockpile typically include food, household essentials, sanitary products, basic medications, first aid supplies, as well as items for cooking, lighting, and clothing, among others.
Please note that all recommendations provided below are intended as general guidance. It is crucial to adjust these recommendations according to the specific needs and circumstances of your family.
Your supplies should primarily consist of food and beverages that your family typically consumes. It’s important to select items that can be stored for extended periods without refrigeration, and many of your provisions should be suitable for consumption without heating. Pay attention to expiration dates, and if any items lack labels, mark them with the purchase date. Store food in a cool, dry, and dark area, ensuring that packaging is airtight. When stocking your shelves, place newly purchased items at the back and use older ones first.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Rice | 35 kg |
| Flour | 35 kg |
| Pasta | 35 kg |
| Soups (Cans or Sachets) | 30 |
| Canned Meat (Long Life) (340 grams) | 30 |
| Dried Meat (pack) (1 kg) | 4 |
| Canned Tuna (160 grams) | 40 |
| Canned Chicken (Long Life) (200 grams) | 25 |
| Canned Vegetables (e.g., sweetcorn) (Long Life) (400 grams) | 20 |
| Dried Fruit including Dates (1 kg) | 1 |
| Nuts | 500 g |
| Lentils / Daal | 10 kg |
| Beans (Cans) (400 grams) | 10 |
| Cooking Oil (10 liters) | 1 |
| Cereals (750 grams) | 5 boxes |
| Spreads (e.g., Peanut Butter / Nutella) | 2 kg |
| Pitta Bread (6 pack) – replenish regularly | 20 |
| Formula Milk (powder) or Dried Milk (for a baby) | 2 kg |
Remember, the best list is one that suits your family’s preferences and needs.
| Item | Quantity per Person per Day |
|---|---|
| Water (Total) | 4 liters |
| – Drinking | 2 liters |
| – Cooking | 1 liter |
| – Sanitation | 1 liter |
| Other Beverages (mineral water, fruit juices, long-lasting drinks) | Variable |
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Antibacterial gels (hand sanitizer) | 10 pack |
| Anti-bacterial spray i.e. Dettol | 2 |
| Carrier bags | 30 |
| Clothes washing detergents (pack) | 1 |
| Feminine Sanitary products (for 1 woman) | 4 packs |
| Nappies for children (for one child) | 120 nappies |
| Nappy sacks (pack of 200) | 1 |
| Soap | 10 |
| Sponges, cleaning cloths | 5 |
| Toilet rolls | 20 |
| Toothbrushes | 4 |
| Toothpaste | 2 |
| Wet Wipes (pack) | 20 |
| Disposable Gloves | Variable |
| Rubbish Bags | Variable |
It’s important to regularly inspect the medications in your first aid kit. Expired medicines should be discarded properly, as they not only lose their effectiveness but can also become potentially harmful.
| tem | Quantity |
|---|---|
| First Aid Kit | 1 |
| Painkillers | Variable |
| – Ibuprofen | Variable |
| – Paracetamol | Variable |
| – Co-codamol | Variable |
| Anti-histamine tablets | Variable |
| Buscopan (antispasmodic tablets) | Variable |
| Imodium Anti-diarrhoea medication | Variable |
| Dioralyte – for re-hydration (packs) | Variable |
| Antiseptic creams | Variable |
| – e.g., Savlon | Variable |
| – Germolene | Variable |
| Water Purification Tablets | Variable |
The following remedies can help alleviate various symptoms such as fear, anxiety, pain, fever, and more:
Combination therapy in 200c:
- Aconite
- Arsenicum Album
- Gelsemium
Single therapy:
- Arnica 200c
However, depending on the specific symptoms you are experiencing, it’s advisable to consult with your homeopath for personalized advice and further guidance.
As a precautionary measure, it’s recommended to undergo the following course once a year:
For individuals aged 16 and above:
- Carcinocin CM
- Radium Bromide CM
For children aged 10 to 15:
- Carcinocin 1000
- Radium Bromide 1000
For children aged 9 and under:
- Carcinocin 200
- Radium Bromide 200
The suggested regimen is as follows:
Week 1: Carcinocin
Week 2: Radium Bromide
Week 3: Carcinocin
Week 4: Radium Bromide
Week 5: Carcinocin
Week 6: Radium Bromide
Consume 5-8 beads weekly by allowing them to dissolve in your mouth.
Planning for an emergency
Electric power outages are typically resolved within a few hours, but in certain circumstances, it may take days before electricity is restored.
During such instances:
- Utilise warm clothing as a temporary heating substitute.
- Ensure you have a stock of coal, briquettes, or wood if you have a fireplace or stove.
- Keep a supply of candles, torches, spare lamps, batteries, matches, or lighters readily available.
For cooking:
- Consider preparing smaller meals on a camping stove or using an outdoor barbecue or table-top grill fuelled by charcoal or gas. Avoid grilling indoors to prevent the risk of suffocation.
- Ensure electronic devices such as computers and mobile phones are charged. Solar-powered battery chargers can be helpful.
- Keep sufficient cash reserves at home, as cash machines may not function during power outages.
Below are suggestions for essential items that may be useful for you and your family:
Utilities:
- Wind-up torches
- Batteries
- Battery-powered or wind-up radio
- Long-burn candles (up to 100 hours)
- Safety matches
- Wood-burning stove
- Firewood
- Heat logs (slow-burning, heat-providing logs)
- Lighters
Cooking sources:
- Propane stoves
- Propane gas cylinder
- Barbecue
- Charcoal and lighter fuel
Remember, these recommendations can be adjusted according to the specific needs and circumstances of your family.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fuel container in the garage (for petrol/diesel) (20l) | 1 |
| Petrol/Jerry Can (5l) to be kept in the car | 1 |
| Jump leads | 1 set |
| Tyre repair foam (seals tyre punctures) | 2 cans |
| Foot pump | 1 |
| In-car first aid kit (small) | 1 |
| Bicycles (per person) | 1 per person |
| Bicycle repair kit & inner tubes (per bike) | 1 set per bike |
| Compass | 1 |
| Regional road maps | 1 |