Food storage

Store extra long-life or non-perishable tinned or dry food, and avoid foods that have to be cooked unless you have a portable cooker or barbeque.

In a major disaster, electricity may not be working so ensure that you have alternative cooking equipment, as you may not be able to use your stove or microwave.

A camping stove or gas or charcoal barbecue is useful to boil water and cook food. Talk to your neighbours about how you can team up in an emergency situation.

If anyone in your house has special requirements you need to consider having extra supplies for:

• children/babies.
• pets.
• anyone with special dietary requirements,.
• people on medication. 

If food packaging doesn't have a clear "best before" or "use by" date, write the purchase date on the package with a permanent marker. 

Things like tinned food, dried fruit and rice have a shelf life of about 2 years. Remember to use old stock first, and replace expired items.