FOOD.  Enough food should be kept on hand to feed all shelter occupants for 14 days, including special foods needed by infants, elderly persons, and those on limited diets.  Most people in shelter can get along on about half as much food as usual.  If possible store canned or sealed-package foods, preferably those not requiring refrigeration or cooking.  These should be replaced periodically.  Here is a table showing the suggested replacement periods, in months, for some of the types of food suitable to store for emergency use.[3]

    Milk:  Months
      Evaporated 6
      Nonfat dry or whole dry milk,
          in metal container 6
    Canned meat, poultry, fish: 
      Meat, poultry 18
      Fish 12
      Mixtures of meats, vegetables,
          cereal products 18
      Condensed meat-and-vegetable
          soups 8
    Fruits and vegetables: 
      Berries and sour cherries,
          canned 6
      Citrus fruit juices, canned 6
      Other fruits and fruit juices,
      canned 18
      Dried fruit, in metal container 6
      Tomatoes, sauerkraut, canned 6
      Other vegetables, canned
          (including dry beans and
          dry peas) 18
    Cereals and baked goods: 
      Ready-to-eat cereals: 
        In metal container 12
        In original paper package 1
      Uncooked cereal (quick-cooking
        or instant): 
            In metal container 24
            In original paper package 12
    Hydrogenated (or antioxidant-treated)
        fats, vegetable oil 12
    Sugars, sweets, nuts: 
      Sugar will keep indefinitely
      Hard candy, gum 18
      Nuts, canned 12
      Instant puddings 12

Miscellaneous: 
Coffee, tea, cocoa (instant) 18
Dry cream product (instant) 12
Bouillon products 12
Flavored beverage powders 24
Salt will keep indefinitely
Flavoring extracts (e.g., pepper) 24
Soda, baking powder 12

SANITATION SUPPLIES.  Since you may not be able to use your regular bathroom during a period of emergency, you should keep on hand these sanitation supplies:  A metal container with a tight-fitting lid, to use as an emergency toilet; one or two large garbage cans with covers (for human wastes and garbage); plastic bags to line the toilet container; disinfectant; toilet paper; soap; wash cloths and towels; a pail or basin; and sanitary napkins.

MEDICINES AND FIRST AID SUPPLIES.  This should include any medicines being regularly taken, or likely to be needed, by family members.  First aid supplies should include all those found in a good first aid kit (bandages, antiseptics, etc.), plus all the items normally kept in a well-stocked home medicine chest (aspirin, thermometer, baking soda, petroleum jelly, etc.).  A good first aid handbook is also recommended.