Do you stock-up your pantry regularly?

Having lived through one of the worst natural disasters in Papua New Guinea, where a volcano erupted with such a force that the whole township of Rabaul was totally wiped off the map in 1994, I always have a basic emergency kit in my home. It consists of a first aid kit, can opener, torch, batteries and my spare keys for the car and house. These items are kept in a backpack which I could easily carry, in case I need to evacuate my home in a hurry. You may notice that food and water are not included here because evacuation from the house in the quickest time is crucial as in cases of fire or earthquake.

Thanks goodness, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today that the new multi strain virus appears not to be as aggressive as was first feared. Heaven forbids if the swine flu reached our shore as a pandemic. It’ll be a different emergency situation altogether. Planning for a long stay at home, possibly without water and electricity, may be an emergency plan imposed by the authority. I wonder how many of us would have been caught short of an emergency preparation that requires an extended stay at home. Do we have adequate food, water and essential supplies to help us manage and cope with a prolong emergency at home?

I think that we should be prepared for times of crisis, whether it's a man-made disaster or a natural disaster, and I think it's wise and prudent to stock up on food. Being prepared for emergencies can reduce their impact on you and your family. Besides, stocking your pantry with basic ingredients leaves you prepared to create nearly any meal for only a few dollars. It also can help you find healthier meals to prepare instead of the expensive, pre-made store bought processed foods.