After families take the time to set aside water, food and basic supplies in case of a natural disaster or crisis, emergency kits require a bit of light annual maintenance in order to be truly effective. Families should refresh the emergency kit at least once, but preferably twice, a year, said Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension housing and consumer specialist. “Maybe your family has grown or you’ve added a pet. Updating the kit once or twice a year gives you a chance to make sure each family member and pet is included in your preparations,” Peek said. “One easy way to remember to check your kit is to do so every spring and fall when Daylight Savings Time begins and ends.”

 

Recycling the food and water in the kit on a regular basis reduces the chances of those provisions going to waste, said Barbara Brown, OSU Cooperative Extension food safety specialist. “If you’re properly maintaining your kit, you probably won’t have to throw away any food,” Brown said. “Check the expiration dates on all the food and beverages. Items close to expiration should be incorporated into the current food supply and eaten. Nearly expired foods should be replaced with items with at least a 6-month expiration date. Remember the dates are general guidelines for best quality, not a sign the food is unsafe to eat.” For items with no expiration date or stamped with a date written in code, mark when the food was placed in the kit or the date by which the food should be removed. The same method should be used each time the kit is updated.

 

Don't Throw That Away! Explaining Expired Food Labels

 

If food items do not have an expiration date, consider U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates high-acid canned items such as tomatoes, grapefruit and pineapple can be stored for a year to 18 months for best quality. Foods with less acid such as canned meat, poultry, fish and most vegetables can last 2 to 5 years if properly stored.

The water stored in the kit should be replenished every 6 months. Meanwhile, clothing items should be appropriate either for the colder temperatures in the fall and winter or in the warmer weather in the spring and summer.

 

Store Your Food Properly

 

Food Preservation Methods

 

Finally, families should replace any supplies that were used or borrowed from the kit and test flashlights and weather radios to confirm they are in working order.

“Don’t forget to check the kit to ensure there are provisions for family members with special needs such as infants as well as any pets,” Peek said.