With the winter season upon most of the country, now is a great time to begin getting your emergency disaster kit packed and ready for any emergency or power failure. Millions of people live in areas that can be effected by wacky weather at any time, so being prepared with items that store well without electricity is a critical need.

What should be in your disaster preparedness kits? Over at Ready.gov, FEMA has many lists of items that you need to start working on keeping in your home, car and at work. It is recommended that you keep enough water and food for 3 days, ready to go at a moments notice. In your home, you should be prepared for several weeks.

Critical on these lists is water. One gallon, per day for each member of your home and pets. Food is also critical. Top of the list is non perishable canned goods and proteins like Jerky. Jerky is an excellent source of protein and perfect for emergencies of all kinds. You should keep plenty on hand in several different flavors for use in every kit. Keep some in the car, at work and in the Go Kit or Bug Out Bag you packed for when you have to leave your home at a moments notice.

Jerky can be used for a meal replacement and you can also cook with it by adding it to soups or stews for a protein source in a pinch. By keeping several different types and flavors on hand in your kits you are not going to become bored with it, if that is all you have to eat for several days and you can flavor other foods, if that option is available to you depending on your emergency location.

Whether you are looking to add to your earthquake preparation kit, emergency disaster kit, 72 hour kit or whatever you call it, be prepared with ample supplies of food, water, clothing, equipment and meds as well as the other things on the lists. You will be so glad you were the one prepared!