How to Prepare a Gluten-Free Disaster/ Emergency Kit

Bravo! This is a must read article. I have been saying that I need to make an emergency kit but haven't 'gotten around to it'.

This article has some very good suggestions and considering what is going on in the middle of our country and the wildfires in the west, something everyone, but especially anyone with celiac disease should have by their emergency exit. Thank you for the kick! I needed it as I'm sure others do too!

I kept my emergency rations in the basement, hadn't thought about not being able to get them on the way out!

I have an emergency kit for home and car. I didn't even think about putting a gluten-free one for my granddaughter.

THANKS!!!!

Thank you.

Your comments have very good intentions, but, just going through the worse flooding our city has ever experienced and still is, most of your grab and go bag is worthless, as I found out. I lived on sardines and packaged tuna for days. There was no water to drink or mix with other things, until FEMA and the National Guards could get them to us.

No electricity--some are still without going on 3 weeks now. Could be 6 months before they see electric and gas. So forget the rice cooker.

As for the soups and dry mixes, forget that, nothing to mix them with or cook them on. Forget the snacks also, as the packaging absorbs the moisture so fast, everything is ruined; even the things in plastic bags. And there is no ice to be found to keep anything cold, because the water is contaminated and we can not use it to make more ice or does anyone have electricity to do so if they could. Of course most of the time you do not want to eat as the stink from the city turns off the appetite.

Everything is contaminated from the flood waters; you can not believe how fast the mold and mildew can grow up the walls and into things you think are safe.

Sorry to be so negative, just stating the facts.

Theresa

I see Theresa's point, and in her case, probably a can opener and crates of gluten-free liquid food replacement would be it--as it would be if we had a sudden tsunami here in HI, where we live on the low, flat plains next to the ocean. However, if we 'just' had another bad wind knock out the power for a while by toppling twenty or thirty poles, I could get by on bottled water and using the grill to cook items recommended in the article, so I found it useful. I also commend the idea of putting things where they are easily grabbed, if evacuation time permits--we are told that there are sirens to warn one of impending tsunami, and that we'd have time to get to high and dry ground with our supplies if we hurried (or in case of impending hurricane, etc). House would still be flooded, but we'd be above it...my big concern has been that in addition to gluten-free, I am sugar-free and meat-free--and I suspect the Red Cross wouldn't have a clue, nor would I expect them to--so I have to be prepared. I usually have to take a my own food to every faculty luncheon, so why should a disaster be different?

It might be better to have a couple of different containers of emergency supplies/foods just in case one gets away from you into the floodwater or crevasse or? At least you wouldn't be totally without supplies if that happened.

Consider having some kind of straps to attach it to you or? You often need at least one hand free to balance, grab an assist into a vehicle or boat, or grab a guide rope. A box requires two hands, generally.

An emergency kit is very personal. It will vary greatly from region to region, family to family, and person to person. It is up to you to decide what you need in your kit. Most lists suggest at least three days water (1 1/2 gallons) per person. Read many lists before making your own.

Thanks for the OP. My daughter has a gluten allergy (not Celiacs), and I've been wondering how to prepare for her in our kit. Very helpful info.

Must_have clean water, buy some 16 oz bottled, and add to your E-Kit. Package anything that would be ruined if wet into watertight zip bags. (I use Glad, they are stronger, more watertight.) Manual can opener, cans of tuna, salmon, chicken are essential. 1 a day to keep your health strength. Juice mixes for the water...can use sweetened kool-aid as a break. Instant coffee. tea bags. 2 lb package of sugar...it WILL be worth having. 1 small pot with burner that uses bottled gas, and 1 bottled gas (avail at grocery stores). Packaged dehydrated soups, gluten free. Get a first aid kit, add Kotex pads and other first aid items: peroxide, alcohol, bandages (in waterproof baggies). Pads are good if you get cut/injured to absorb blood. Emergencies can be lethal..and you can be cut/injured. Butterfly bandages. band-aids, and some extra tape. Field guide: "3x4 inches" for poisonous plants if you are forced into a wilderness area, and are starving...you might find edible plants, and avoid poisonous ones. Inflatable plastic container to use to replenish water if you find potable water. Portable radio/extra batteries or a good crank up model. One of those super thin silver/gold blankets that are tiny, and open to 6x8, to stay warm. A thin rain-poncho for drenching storms. Bible - small. Finally, a good pair of comfortable shoes, with 3 pr socks. You won't believe how important that those shoes are...especially if you grab your E-kit while in heels or other shoes that are uncomfortable.

To keep things like food bars (Larabar, Kind, etc.) from getting water leached into the wrappers, try vacuum sealing 2-3 bars per bag, using a food vacuum sealing machine. You can also vacuum pack Ziploc bags, candles, matches, etc., to keep them from getting damp in case your grab-n-go kit gets wet from rain or flooding. They are handy to put leftovers in (like that opened non-resealable bag of gluten-free jerky), and things you acquire along the way that you don't want rolling around loose in your bag or pack.

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would share my findings with everyone. My wife is gluten intolerant, and I found an emergency food source recently that has a very long shelf life, and is also gluten-free. They are called "Survival Tabs." Unlike most other food rations, they have non-fat milk solids instead of wheat as their main ingredient. You can find their website by doing a simple search for the product name. They are also sold on Amazon. Hope someone else finds this useful.

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I would share my findings with everyone. My wife is gluten intolerant, and I found an emergency food source recently that has a very long shelf life, and is also gluten-free. They are called "Survival Tabs." Unlike most other food rations, they have non-fat milk solids instead of wheat as their main ingredient. You can find their website by doing a simple search for the product name. They are also sold on Amazon. Hope someone else finds this useful.

Thank you. I appreciate the referral.