Half Year Check Up, What’s in your pantry?

Posted on by wzlradio1

This is a good time to do a check up on your emergency plan and organize your emergency food.

Its already July first! In the Unites States we’ve reached the half way point of the year in the middle of summer. We’ll have cook outs and spending time at beaches enjoying summer clothes.

drawing of bag of chips with cartoon bearYour Car

Check the car over before traveling, particularly if its hot. The NTSA has great tips  for summer driving

Check your car for water and snacks. Water bottles in plastic breaks down in the heat. Make sure you don’t keep more plastic water bottles in the car than you will use fairly quickly. July first is a good time to replace the water in reusable jugs and clean it. If your water tastes bad, dump it.

I saw these clear bags on Amazon, they are inexpensive and can hold drinks, water or snacks.

Collapsible Water Container Bag, BPA Free Food Grade Clear Plastic Storage Jug for Sport Camping Riding, Freezable, Food Grade (4-pack-2.6 Gal) 7-1-25

In your Cupboards

Try to have 1-6 months worth of food in the house. Donate, use or replace food that may expire soon. To avoid feeling like you are hoarding, re-evaluate unlabeled bulk foods, things bought on impulse because they were a “good deal” or items that will never be consumed.  Looking at vacuuming sealing options I found some that are quite reasonable.

TOIAMOI Vacuum Sealer, Wet and Dry Food Storage, Built-In Cutter with 10 Vacuum Bags, Silver $20 at Walmart  7-1-25

This wasn’t even the cheapest! You can use a hairdryer or hair straightener too. Remember, sealing things up doesn’t make them shelf stable. Trying canning for that.

drawing of Peaches in jarSpeaking of Canning

If you put food up last year and no one is eating it, it may be a time to use it up before you can again. I’ve been guilty of putting jars of stew in the back of the fridge instead of properly canning them.  If you are just getting into canning get a few tools:

Canning Kit Jar Lifter Wide Mouth Canning Funnel Lid Wand for Canning Jars Anti-Scald Kitchen Tools(3Pcs,Green) only $4 from walmart 7-2-25

There is lots of information on the internet to get you started canning.

Speaking of the Fridge and Freezer

This is good time to see what’s in the fridge and in the freezer. If you don’t know what it is, it probably needs to go. Throwing away food is disappointing but it doesn’t make a you a bad person, it makes you a responsible person.

Cartoon of hands checking smoke detector with text sound the alarm, save a lieCheck your Smoke and Co2 Detectors

Replace smoke detectors with newer models, call the Red Cross or your local fire depart about replacing your smoke detectors

Check you  fire extinguishers and make sure your fire smothering blankets  are easy to access.

Check your C02 detectors, get new ones or replace them.

FIRST ALERT Carbon Monoxide Detector, No Outlet Required, Battery Operated, CO400, White, 2 Count $29.99 amazon 7-1-25

Make sure bug out bags for everyone are ready and your camping gear is in order and ready to go. back pack with bottle of water, bag of chips, bed roll

  • Extra clothes
  • Medicine
  • Flashlight
  • Snacks, energy bars and water
  • Hygiene items, Deodorant, wipes, tooth care, feminine care
  • Baby things
  • Basic first aid
  • Space blanket
  • Phone charger
  • Cash and cards
  • Extra Eye glasses

And lastly, make sure you have a plan for pets and livestock. Have a great summer!

 

Scroll to Top