Emergency storage is for more than just food
If you don't have a lot of water stored, don't waste it doing dishes! Store paper products such as: toilet paper, paper towels, plates, bowls, cups, plastic ware, a variety of plastic bags, bread sacks, aluminum foil, multi-size trash bags, etc.
This may also be a great time to thoroughly wash your recycled two-liter bottles, with their plastic freshness-membrane inserts (often found inside some lids — pick out with a paring knife), and the lids. To make sure that all parts of the bottle are bacterially safe, sterilize them (with bleach added to a sink of water). Drain and air-dry them (for a few days). Reassemble the two-pieced lid. Now it's OK to refill them with water. (After drying for six days, they are also good for storing wheat, beans, sugar, etc.)
Hygiene items are a must, too! I buy baby wipes by the case. In an emergency, this may be the only source of bathing for adults, children and babies. I also buy (a dozen at a time) plastic canisters of pop-up and also individual/foil-wrapped, anti-bacterial hand wipes. Bottles of hand sanitizer are great, too. I also store pop-up household surface wipes to cleanse kitchens, bathrooms, and sickrooms. I have found a great new janitorial, spray disinfectant, fungicide and virucide Germ Control product by OdoBan, which killsathlete's foot, E. coli, salmonella, listeria, HIV, certain strains of herpes, influenza, rhinovirus, polio, and staphylococcus, MRSA and VRE.
Assemble first-aid items for wounds, illness, family prescription needs and other 72-hour kit needs.
At a recent fifth Sunday of the month LDS Church combined men and women's meeting, our bishop (a man whose profession has been in the grocery business) said, "Those of you who have your year's supply, consider yourselves having just gotten a 15- to 20-percent raise! For that is what it will take to purchase those items now, what with the mark-ups caused by high gas and food for bio-fuel prices!"
Be wise. It's good to budget and sacrifice for items that you know will sustain your family. Adherence to the suggestions of emergency management agencies (local, state, federal) and your faith-based leaders will bring blessings, peace of mind, and allow you to sleep when the winds blow, the earth moves, and jobs are lost. As you can see, preparedness is perpetual in nature and more than just storing rice and grain. You can do it!
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