Camper-based emergency supply

[Black_Sheep_One]

In a tornado situation, how likely is it that you'd be able to get away, or that your trailer would survive if your house is hit?

Tins with tight, removable lids are rodent-proof.  The best way to keep the stuff inside the trailer safe is to close up any openings rodents can get in, if possible.

We're currently working on setting up a go bag for each of us and a smaller one for pets.  Those are being planned under the assumption we will be running for our lives from a forest fire and not have time to hitch up the trailer.  That's the only natural disaster likely to occur here.  Hopefully, we would have time to take the trailer but that would be just a bonus.  We're also going to set up all our cat crates just inside the garage door so they're convenient, and so someone who does not live here could easily find them if someone other than us was helping us evacuate. 

We're not part of the Chicken Little contingent either but we do buy stuff in quantity if we see a good sale.

No chicken little here ... laundry soap or cat litter come in buckets with sealable lids. Been using 'em for tools / camp stuff since the mid-1990s. Discovered 'em amid a Cub Scout leader workshop ... full of tools.
I've found these keep out mice and work well for storing things.
They're a little less hardcore than ammo cans but they serve the same purpose.
Or you could get five-gallon buckets (aka Homer Buckets at the big box store) & Gamma Seals (Sportsman's  Guide) ... don't forget to rotate out your groceries every 3 months or so. Otherwise you might find something in your rice / pasta you DO NOT WANT.

Add another item to your go-bag: a prepaid cell phone!

[Spirit Deer]

We don't buy enough dry food to have to store it large pails.  Most of what we buy ahead seems to end up in the freezer.

[trs]

If anyone came after my kitties they would end up on the menu!!!

[Tenttrailer]

I have 3 cats, and you would lose your left arm trying to get my cats.

But on the lighter side of life, I have always gotten a chuckle from this spoof Cat Steven song. "Cat in the Kettle".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRFbdIbvjg

[Bama]

What a good ideal to add a few food staples to the camper that have a long shelf life. A weeks supply of dried food and water and a well equipped first aid kit could make a big difference when camping far from a store or town. Also good to have a little extra food staples that are not part of the planned menu for the unexpected emergency.

[clemlaw]

I'm not sure of the exact nutrition details, but for a week or two, I wouldn't think it would make much difference.  But lentils can be cooked in considerably less time than beans.  If availability of fuel was an issue, that could be significant.

[Luvin Life]

Great thread!  I keep an emergency kit packed in the house, but never thought to put one in the pup. That is a big slip on my part.  I have a child with multiple, life threatening food allergies, so even if Red Cross or other emergency assistance group could get to us, they most likely would not have much my son could safely eat.  I will get the pup stocked before our next trip.  Thanks for the reminder.

[KaukaunaKampers]

Great ideas Kmikesell on the 365 Meal prep.  I've forwarded that link on to a few interested parties in my family.  Are you willing to share your recipes?  Maybe a post in "That Sounds Yummy" section?

[Malena]

Don't have to presoak lentils either--they cook fast enough that they are on our regular camping menu (although the items that make that dish palatable to a picky eater kid are not shelf stable...)

[clemlaw]

the items that make that dish palatable to a picky eater kid are not shelf stable...)

Which raises an important point:  If you have some "emergency food" stashed away that grosses you out, then it's probably not a good choice.  If I were stranded somewhere with nothing but a freezer full of liver, then I would probably wind up starving to death. 

[Malena]

But it would be that much longer before the dog ate me!

[techntrek]

If I were stranded somewhere with nothing but a freezer full of liver, then I would probably wind up starving to death. 

A little Chianti Sauce and fava beans will take care of that problem!