Individual Preparation for Y2K

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Somewhere between predictions of technological doomsday and those who say that Y2K is the invention of rabid money-hungry consultants, lies reality. In the absence of hard facts and data, we are left with only one option--to take precautions. When it comes to health and safety we must always err on the side of caution and skepticism, and take what we feel are necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard our family, friends and neighbors.

Preparing for the worst doesn't mean you believe it will happen, it means only that you accept that the possibility exists. You don't need proof that your house will burn down before you buy fire insurance, nor that you will have an automobile accident to purchase car insurance. In the same way, you do not need to believe worst-case Y2K scenarios will happen to take out another kind of insurance--emergency preparedness.

Ed. note: Paloma O'Riley recommends that you make a thorough assessment of what you have before determining what you need. For her detailed advice on how to do this, see the longer version of this article on the Cassandra Project Web site, which is listed at the end of this article.

The following preparation information is based on worst-case scenario. Our belief and purpose is it is always best to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best. (See disclaimer below.)

I. Food and Other Basic Supplies

1. What to Do When the Electricity Goes Off (courtesy of FEMA)

* First, use perishable food and foods from the refrigerator.

Then use the foods from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open the freezer door, post a list of freezer contents on it. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning foods are safe to eat) for at least three days.

Finally, begin to use nonperishable foods and staples.

2. What You Need

Long-Term Food Supplies (courtesy of FEMA)

The best approach is to store large amounts of staples along with a variety of canned and dried foods. Bulk quantities of wheat, corn, beans and salt are inexpensive and have nearly unlimited shelf life. If necessary, you could survive for years on small daily amounts of these staples.

Stock the following amounts per person, per month:
Brown rice or whole wheat--20 pounds
Powdered milk (for babies and infants)*--20 pounds
Corn--20 pounds
Iodized salt--1 pound
Soybeans--10 pounds
Vitamin C**--15 grams
* Buy in nitrogen-packed cans
** Rotate every two years
Also include:
* Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
* Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
* Staples--sugar, pepper
* Vitamins
* Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)
* Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
* Potatoes (fresh or dried flakes)
* Foods for the elderly or those on special diets
* Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags, cocoa, chocolate bars, canned nuts
* High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
* Vegetable oils
* Dried spices (garlic, onion, oregano, chili powder, etc.)
* Baking powder
* Beans
* Non-carbonated soft drinks
* White rice
* Bouillon products
* Dry pasta

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