Oahu Civil Defense Agency

If your electrical power is cut off, food in your refrigerator and freezer will spoil. It is wise to have some canned or packaged foods on hand that need minimal water, preparation, and cooking.

If you know that power will be out for a few days, plan ahead.

  Use the perishable food in the refrigerator and freezer first.

 Make extra ice.

 Freeze extra freeza-pack inserts and keep them frozen for emergencies.

 Buy a cooler.

 Freeze water in plastic containers. (Do not fill containers to top before freezing.)

 Know in advance where you can buy dry and block ice. 25 pounds of dry ice should hold a 10-cubic foot freezer cold for 3-4 days.

(Dry ice supply is limited on the neighbor islands.)

Emergency Eating

 Plan to eat at least one "nutritious" meal a day.

 Plan for drinking plenty of liquids.

 Eat enough food to keep your strength and energy up.

 Choose foods your family likes.

Food Storage

 Buy foods that can be eaten with little or no cooking.

 Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in your home.

 Close food boxes and cans tightly after use.

 Wrap bread, cookies, or crackers in plastic bags or keep them in tightly closed containers.

 Use plastic containers when storing food, and buy emergency food in cans.

 Keep clean plastic containers on hand to store 1/2 gallon of water for each person per day.

 Have a special section of the food cupboard set aside for emergency food, so that it is easier to manage, and can be packed quickly if there is a need to evacuate.

 Rotate food every 6 months.

How to purify water

Boiling: Boil water vigorously for 1 to 3 minutes. To improve taste, pour water from one clean container to another several times.

Purification tablets: These are available at most drug stores. Follow the directions on the package carefully.

Bleach purification: Liquid household bleach can be used to purify water. It MUST contain hypochlorite, preferably 5.24 percent; add the amount listed below, then stir and mix. Let water stand 30 minutes before drinking.

For 1 gallon of water: If water is clear add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon). If water is cloudy add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon).

For 5 gallons of water: If water is clear add 1/2 teaspoon. If water is cloudy add 1 teaspoon.

Powdered flavored beverage mix may be added t offset the chlorine taste.

 Disposable plates, forks, spoons, and knives

 Disposable hot and cold cups

 Paper napkins or towels

 Non-electric can opener

 Trash bags

 Sterno heater, hibachi or camp stove with 5-day fuel supply

 Matches in waterproof container

 Heavy-duty aluminum foil

 Other utensils i.e. cutting knifes, available at home

 Ziplock bags for food storage

 Paper or plastic garbage bags

Source: Disaster planning: Food published by Hawai'i State Department of Health, Nutrition Branch. This brochure is available at:

Oahu Civil Defense Agency
650 S. King St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ph: 523-4121

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