Hurricanes, floods, tornados, ice storms. Being prepared for disasters comes naturally to Georgians. Since hurricane season isn’t over yet, here are some questions and answers that help.

Question: How can I be sure my family has water to drink?

Answer: Store your water in clean plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamellined containers. Soft drink bottles or bottles that you purchase water in are ideal for cleaning and reusing. Store at least one gallon per person per day. Hot environments can double that amount. Additional water will be needed for preparing food and for hygiene.

Add four drops of chlorine bleach per quart of water (16 drops per gallon) and stir. Do not use scented or “color safe” bleaches. Seal water containers tightly and label as “purified drinking water.” Date them, and store them in a cool, dark place.

If water from outside the home, such as rainwater, water from streams or lakes, etc., is needed, boiling is the safest way to purify it. Boil at a rolling boil for 10 minutes. (Boiling can eliminate some parasites that are resistant to chlorination.) If chlorination is the only choice, then add 16 drops of chlorine bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand 30 minutes. If no chlorine odor is detected, add 16 more drops and let stand 15 minutes.

Question: How long can I store water that I have purified?

Answer: As long as the water is in a clean, non-reactive container, it may be stored for long periods of time, such as five or more years. Glass and plastic are ideal for longterm storage.

Question: Should I be storing food, and if so, what should I store?

Answer: Hurricanes, tornados, floods, and ice storms may come, but you’ve still got to eat. A threeday food supply is useful in most disaster situations. Choose foods that require no refrigeration and little, if any, preparation or water.

Good choices are ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables; canned juices; soups and milk (if powdered milk or soups are used, store extra water); staples like sugar, salt, pepper; high energy foods like peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, meal replacement bars, dried fruits, jerky; comfort/stress foods such as cookies, hard candy, breakfast cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags, etc.; and multi-vitamin supplements.

If you choose to store a two-week supply of food, increase the amounts you store and pay more attention to nutrition needs. Plan at least one well-balanced meal per day.

Question: What additional items will I need besides food and water?

Answer: A short-term preparedness kit should contain flashlights and extra batteries; battery-powered radio and extra batteries; can opener, knife, utility knife; mess kits or paper plates, cups, plastic utensils; chlorine bleach, cleaning supplies; moist towelettes; blankets; personal hygiene items; garbage bags with ties; plastic bucket with tight-fitting lid; first aid kit; camp stove and fuel, grill, etc., for outdoor use; chafing dish, candle warmer, etc., for warming food indoors.

Also consider any special needs your family may have: diapers; formula and baby food; prescription medicines.

For additional information on food safety and storage, contact your Family and Consumer Sciences Agent through your local County Extension Office.