Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wednesday Why: Dry Milk & Hurricane Prep Resources

Two questions for today:  1.  Milky May: What is the storage life of powdered milk?  and 2.  What are some resources for the coastal communities in South Carolina and Georgia to prepare for hurricane season which officially starts this Friday?

1.  What is the storage life of powdered milk?

Instant powdered milk has a little less storage life than non-instant.  Both can last in a dark cool space unopened for about a year (non-instant can last about 3-6 months longer on the shelf than instant).  Humidity, heat and exposure to air will reduce both the storage life and the taste.  If sealed in #10 cans or mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, the shelf-life is greatly increased--as long as it is stored in a cool dark place it can last up to 20 years, albeit the taste may not be maintained that long so it is still good to rotate through your dry milk much sooner--maybe every 5-7 years for best taste, taste diminishes with both time and air exposure.  As long as it has been stored properly, the milk will retain its nutrients and will be good for baking or cooking if not tasteful enough for drinking.  If the milk has a rancid smell or taste, toss it.  It is better to be overly cautious than sick.

2.  What are some resources for coastal communities in SC and GA to prepare for hurricane season?

The following links contain information more focused to SC and GA, but it is sound information for anyone wanting to prepare for hurricanes, storms or other disasters.  If you do live in a coastal community, it is wise to prepare and plan for your family.  Prepare supplies you may need both in the event your stay as well in the event you may have to evacuate.  Plan as a family what and when you will implement your plans should a disaster happen.  Be sure to gather and inspect supplies for 72 hour kits for each member of the family, including pets and to review family evacuation plans noting community traffic changes during disasters (some lanes/roads may be closed and/or traffic direction reversed).


http://www.scemd.org/index.php/component/content/article/21-public-information-home-page/public-information/142-south-carolina-hurricane-guide:  this will get you to a South Carolina Emergency Management Division hurricane guide that can be printed (the front page of this guide is the image above, from this website, it is also the guide being delivered with many coastal community newspapers in SC, so be sure to save and review your copy to be sure you are prepared as best you can)

 It includes the following information:  descriptions of tropical cyclones & the accompanying watches and warnings, mitigation (things you can do to reduce or avoid loss of life and property), emergency alert systems and radio stations for weather, important phone numbers and websites, how to prepare as a family, evacuation information
http://www.scemd.org/index.php/news-release:  includes information about the hurricane guide and such, the following quote comes from this link: 
“SCEMD will be using social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and others to communicate important safety information during large scale emergencies as well as passing along preparedness tips and useful information. Everyone is encouraged to visit our recently updated website for links to our social media pages. Follow SCEMD on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube at www.facebook.com/SCEMD, www.twitter.com/EMDSC and www.youtube.com/TheSCEMD.”
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ links to information and youtube videos on preparedness issues like a brief video reminding people they need to prepare despite not knowing when or where a storm may hit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9-s4iU1yHI&cc_load_policy=1&list=PL63A9138A2047B1A4
http://www.thecoastalsource.com/content/weather/hurricane/default.aspxlinks to both Georgia and South Carolina evacuation information
http://www2.wsav.com/weather/hurricanes/evacuation/:  information on evacuation for both Georgia and South Carolina areas

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