We have learned over time that most people ask very similar questions. If you see your question in the Frequently Asked Questions area below, you will likely find the answer to that question. If you can't find your particular question, please feel free to email us at help@DisasterNecessities.com and we will respond within 2-3 business days. This area is designed to better serve you, our customers. We want to answer any questions you might have about DisasterNecessities.com and our Products.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you see your question below please click on it to get the answer.
Questions about:
Q: Return Policy
Q: Can I pay using check or money order?
Q: Year Supplies
Q: MRE's
Q: Do you have any information on how to begin a food storage plan?
Q: What is Thyroblock?
Q: What is your current shipping time?
Q: Do you ship outside the United States?
Q: Do you have any programs for groups or wholesalers?
Q: How can I find specific Products on your site?
Q: How can I contact your company?
Q: Customer Support after the purchase?
Q: What is the Department of Homeland Security?
Q: What should I have in my First-Aid Kit?
Q: What Methods of Payment do you accept?
Q: What Name will appear on my Credit Card Bill?
Q: Who will deliver my order?
Q: Can you ship to my PO Box?
Q: What is the shelf life of your foods?
Q: How long can the Average person survive without water?
Q: How long do your Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated foods last?
A: What is your return Policy?- Customer Satisfaction is our number one goal at DisasterNecessities.com, therefore we do all that we can to facilitate your needs. Consequently, all returns must be handled in the following manner.
Return Option:
If for any reason, you are unhappy with the quality of your product, or if there is a manufacturing defect with it, please contact us immediately. Contact us by e-mail: help@disasternecessities.com, detailing the precise nature of your problem. All of our emergency products and workmanship are warranted for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
To return an item for exchange/repair, please follow the following steps:
1. Goods must be return shipped within 30 days of shipping date. Only return the authorized item (cushion, pad etc)
2. Use the original packaging and enclose the original documentation.
3. Write the return authorization number (RAN) on the address label on the box.
4. Enclose documentation advising us of the problem, and the reason why you are returning the goods.
5. Address the package to:
Customer Service Dept.
RAN # goes here
846 E. 110 N.
Heber, UT 84032
*Note: You must obtain an RAN number from us before returning your materials. All materials sent to us without a RAN number will be returned to shipper.
To obtain an RAN number please email us first as abovementioned at help@disasternecessities.com so that we discuss your personal situation with you. We are very customer oriented and want to help you with any situation that may arise. If the option to cancel the purchase is exercised there is a 15% restocking fee and the return shipment of the product would be at the customers expense.
Regarding returns on food supplies, the terms are much more strict. This is due to the strict laws in the United States regarding selling perishable items, such as food. Therefore, if you received damaged food supplies, please contact us in the aforementioned fashion, so that we may assess the situation and send you new, undamaged food storage supplies. We generally do not accept back "cancelled" food because we cannot resell food that has already been purchased. Hence, if you decide that you need to cancel your purchase which includes food items, you will need to again contact us first so that we may assess the situation and then proceed from there. Again, a 20% restocking fee would apply in this situation and the customer would be responsible for the return shipment of the product. If you have any questions about any of these policies please feel free to contact us or if you have suggestions of how we can make this policy sound clearer to you, our customers please let us know. Thank you.
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A: Can I pay using check or money order?- The answer is yes. To place an order by check or money order please follow these instructions:
HOW TO ORDER:
1. Order online with Visa or MC. Choose your items and add them to your cart. When ready, click on checkout and place your order with our secure credit card processing system. We use SSL, 128 bit encryption.
2. Mail in your order. To do this, follow the same steps as above. When you check out, choose "Mail order" as your payment method and then submit. This will take you to a confirmation page that you can print out and mail in along with a check, money order or credit card info to:
Hupp Marketing
846 E. 110 N.
Heber, UT 84032
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A: Year Supplies- The various Year Supplies are intended for one person for one year. Your individual needs may vary, so consider adding to these year supplies the items you feel would ensure a year supply for you or each family member.
- The Basic Year Supply is a supply of basic foods. The following are generally considered basic foods: grains, beans, milk, honey or sugar, fats and oils, salt, and garden seeds.
- The Traditional Year Supply has many of the supplies the Basic does, but with more fruits and vegetables and dairy products.
- The Premium Year Supply is the a year supply that would be easier to use. It has mostly just-add-water mixes, with good variety.
- The Ultimate Year Supply You will find freeze dried vegetables, fruits and meats.
All of these year supplies require some cooking. They are either dehydrated foods or grains so you will need to have water to reconstitute them.
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A: MRE's- MRE’s or Meals Ready to Eat were originally designed for military use. They are one of the most versatile food storage products available. MRE’s give you the shelf life you want in food storage with the convenience and taste of everyday meals. All MRE meals are packaged in a triple layer foil and a plastic pouch that have tremendous storage qualities without the need of a can opener. The food is sealed in the pouch and then cooked so that the food is not exposed to air again until the pouch is opened. This process preserves the food in the pouch and maintains its natural moisture in the pouches. See Shelf life Chart
Note: When stored at 60° or lower, no data was collected. Projections are that the 130 months will be extended. -Source: U.S. Army
Note: Time and Temperature have a cumulative effect. For example, storage at 100° for 11 months then removed to storage at 70° would lose one-half of the 70° storage life. Also avoid fluctuating temperatures, in and out of freezing levels. Due to the cumulative effect of time and temperature, a regular rotation of MRE's within 5 to 7 years is recommended.
MRE’s are an easy way to supplement a year supply of dehydrated food storage because they are pre-cooked, non-dehydrated meals. No water is needed, and they taste great hot or cold!
They may be purchased in full case quantities, single flavor, 72 count. We also offer a One Month Food Supply, One Week Food Supply, 72 Hour Food & Water Supply, 3-Day MRE Supply and a One Year Supply.
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A: Do you have any information on how to begin a food storage plan?- We recommend that you start with water storage. People can live longer without food than they can water. We suggest two types of water storage, permanent and portable. Permanent storage would mean the type of storage that you may keep in your home such as a 55-gallon barrel. Portable water storage would be something that you could pick up and put in your auto, such as the five gallon boxed water system, in case the emergency required evacuation.
The next step in a family preparedness plan would be an emergency kit. These kits are often called 72-hour kits because of the time that it may take government agencies to respond to an emergency. This is where your portable water storage would come into play. Consider your emergency kit to be the first three days of your year supply of food. (Example: water patches or aqua blox.)
Now work on your year supply. We recommend you first store what are called the "basics". They include grains, legumes (beans), powdered milk, honey or sugar, oil, salt, and garden seeds. These foods are tried and tested over the centuries and can sustain life and store well. Be sure you add cooking essentials like baking powder & soda. After you have the basics then add variety. Consider the following categories: Dairy which includes, dehydrated eggs, cheese, margarine, etc. Fruit Drinks, Flour & Mixes, Fruits, Pasta, Puddings, Soup Mixes, Textured Vegetable Protein, and Vegetables. Freeze-dried products are another important group of items to consider in your storage plan. Consider the following categories of freeze-dried foods: Meats, Dairy, Fruits, and Vegetables.
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A: What is Thyroblock?- The Thyroblock™ is a bottle of Potassium Iodide tablets to be used ONLY when public heath officials tell you. In a radiation emergency, radioactive iodine could be released into the air. Potassium iodide (a form of iodine) can help protect you by blocking the absorption of radioactive iodine through your thyroid gland. If you are told to take this medicine, take it one tablet every 24 hours. Do not exceed more than the suggested dosage. More will not help you and may increase the risk of side effects. Do not take this drug if you know you are allergic to iodide.
Note*: One bottle is a two week supply for one person.
Indications:
Thyroid blocking in a radiation emergency only.
Directions for use:
Use only as directed by State or local public health authorities in the event of a radiation emergency.
Dose:
Tablets- Adults and children 1 year of age or older take 1 tablet once a day. Crush up the tablet for small children. Babies under 1 year of age take one half tablet once a day. Crush first. Take for 10 days unless directed otherwise by local public health authorities. Keep container tightly closed and protect from light and extreme temperatures.
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A: What is your current shipping time?- We are now able to ship most orders within 2 weeks. Most orders ship with UPS, however, on occasion we do ship with FedEx. Shipping USPS is the exception and the customer must we willing to self-insure. The exception orders must be approved before shipping. At this time our $12 S&H charge covers orders shipped to the contiguous 48 states. Additional shipping and approval is needed to ship to APOs and FPOs.
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A: Do you ship outside the United States?- We ship to the contiguous 48 states with a low $12 shipping and Handling fee for any size order. We do ship to Hawaii or Alaska, however you will need to contact us with your order via phone or email. At that time your shipping costs would be determined and your product shipped. We normally use UPS, FedEx and on large orders a Common Carrier may be used to different locations. We also ship to APOs and FPOs with approval. We use USPS and the customer would need to agree to self-insure. If an exception is made (with approval) to ship to Hawaii or Alaska the customer would need to self-insure and again would need approval from DisasterNecessities.com before shipping.
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A: Do you have any programs for groups or Wholesalers?- We do have a program specifically made for groups, however at this time we do not have a wholesaler program in place. It is something that we are looking into though, FYI. The group that we have is called our Membership Club. Becoming a "Member" with DisasterNecessities.com allows you to enjoy great discounts all throughout the year. You will also benefit by receiving our monthly newsletter via email with tips on how to make your emergency preparedness full proof. To become a Member and enjoy great discounts all year long just follow the steps below:
2. Submit Application and pay ONE TIME FEE of $99.99.
3. A representative from DisasterNecessities.com will email you a Username and Password that you will use to receive your discounts.
4. Go to DisasterNecessities.com and enjoy your Membership DiscountsTop
A: How can I find specific Products on your site?- We at DisasterNecessities.com are always trying to make your experience as pleasant and easy as possible. Therefore we have a top of the line Search feature located at the top left of our website. It is a box that says: Search. All you need to do to find a specific product is type in a word that would pull up what item you are searching for. For example: if you are looking for different Food Supply items you can type in a generic word, such as food.
When searching for products in our site through "key" words that you type in the search box, be some what generic in your search at first and then if you cannot find a specific product try refining your search or making it more specific. If you find a product in our site but it did not pull up when you typed a specific key word into our search function and you feel that that certain word would be helpful please let us know.
Again, if you are unable to find the product you are looking for please email us at help@disasternecessities.com and we will be more than happy to send you information on that particular product or even send you a link to that specific product. As stated before, we will do all we can to beat any of our competitors prices, therefore if you find a product that you like but found it somewhere else cheaper, please email us and let us know and we will work with you to make your experience with us the best ever.
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A: How can I contact your company?- All of our contact information is located on our Contact Us Page. Also, at DisasterNecessities.com we recognize the value that new technology affords us. However, we are also quick to observe that sometimes the personal touch is what our customers need. To that end, our web page serves as a vehicle to expedite communication with our customers through e-mail.
We are located at:
DisasterNecessities.com
846 E. 110 N.
Heber, UT 84032
Contact us:
Email: help@DisasterNecessities.com
Chat: Click Here
Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM MST, Monday-Friday
Write us: 846 E. 110 N.
Heber, UT 84032 Top
A: Customer Support after the purchase?- Again, DisasterNecessities.com is dedicated to making your experience at preparing your family for disaster, the best ever. Toward that end we want to hear from you when you have questions. The most effective way of communication with us is through our email system. We respond to all inquiries within 2-3 business days. We will do our best to make sure that you feel comfortable with us to help you in the important task of preparing your family for disaster. In summary, please contact us at any time if you have questions.
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A: What should I have in my First-Aid Kit?- You can get a good head start by purchasing a preassembled first aid kit. You will find that most preassembled kits have been put together through much feedback given by those who have experienced injury during a crisis. Some basic first aid essentials include gauze, tape, adhesive strips, scissors, antibiotic ointment, bandages, burn treatment bandages or lotions, rash or itching creams, thermometer, arm splint, tweezers, safety pins, pain reliever, prescription medications, antiseptic towelettes, ammonia inhalant, instant ice packs, sponges, eye washes, rubbing alcohol, etc. Although pre-assembled kits contain the most common items needed during emergencies, it is important to gather items that fit your particular needs. Prescriptions such as medications for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression etc. are crucial for first aid kits. Also be sure to include special items needed by small children or the elderly.
Kits come in all sizes and range from just basic items to professional surgical kits. First, determine what items you will need the most and how much you will need for each item. For example, families with small children will probably need extra bandages and items for scrapes and cuts. Or, you can specialize a first aid kit to meet a particular need or situation (ie. auto first aid kit, camping kit, home first aid, business first aid, etc.) Second, you should purchase a kit that contains items that best suit your needs. It is useless to have a professional kit that contains items you do not know how to use, or to have a kit that is to basic to treat emergency needs.
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A: What Methods of Payment do you accept?- Whether you order through the mail, phone in your order, or order over the internet, you can always use personal checks, money orders or a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover) to pay for your order.
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A: What Name will appear on my Credit Card Bill?- Your credit card bill will show the charge coming from Dogstar Industries, Inc.
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A: Who will deliver my order?- The majority of orders are shipped through UPS. Exceptionally large order may be shipped through a common carrier. The US Postal Service is also used on occasion.
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A: Can you ship to my PO Box?- Since most orders are shipped through UPS we are unable to send orders to a PO Box. However, if there are extenuating circumstances please call us.
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A: What is the shelf life of your foods?- We hope the following information will help you in determining the shelf life of your food.
Factors That Determine Shelf Life in Food Storage:
Some of the most commonly asked questions about food storage are, "How long will my food stay fresh on my shelf?" and "When should I throw my food away?" These are very relevant questions when maintaining your food storage.
The following information is from "Food Storage Cooking School, Use It or Lose It" by Rebecca Low, USU Extension Home Economist and Deloy Hendricks, Nutrition and Food Science Specialist at Utah State University. This information is essential for making a wise decision concerning rotating your food storage.
Quality of Stored Foods
Safety should be the first concern when deciding to use older food storage. Food that is not safe to eat in normal circumstances will continue to be unsafe even during an emergency. Quality then becomes the second consideration of food storage. Quality is defined by texture, color, taste, and odor. If the individuals intended to consume the food cannot get it past their nose and mouth the items stored will be of no benefit to them. As food ages the quality will continue to decrease making it more and more unacceptable. Texture will become softer, color will darken, taste will intensify in some foods (like honey) and decrease in others (like spices), and the smell will change. Changing odor should not be confused with a spoiling odor. Sometimes the undesirable characteristics of old food may be camouflaged by the way the food is prepared-adding spices, pureeing, combining with another food, etc…Because quality deteriorates over time, it is important to select high quality food products for storage in the first place. If the food is unacceptable in quality now, discard it. Time does not improve quality of food.
Nutritional Value of Stored Foods
Sugar is the only item stored that is almost purely one chemical compound (sucrose). All other foods are various blends of minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids (or fats), vitamins, and water. Since nutrients in foods deplete at various rates and amounts, it is recommended to store (and eat) a variety of foods. When considering nutrient loss in a specific food item it is best to consider the primary nutrient(s) that food was stored for in the first place.
- Minerals and carbohydrates change very little in stored foods. While there are small changes, they are biologically insignificant. So in other words, if a food is stored primarily for its mineral and carbohydrate content, nutrition will be little affected by age and adverse storage condition.
- Proteins change in the way they react in a recipe. For example, old wheat flour will not rise when used in bread because the ability of the protein to form gluten has been destroyed.
- Fats undergo enzymatic changes, or oxide (become rancid) creating off odors and flavors. The higher the fat content the shorter the life and vitality of the food.
- Vitamins are susceptible to destruction by heat, light, and oxidation. Some foods have high levels of particular vitamins and can still provide needed daily supply even after loss due to age. For example, tomatoes stored 4 years lose 10%-%20 of their vitamins A and C. However tomatoes contain so much more of both of these vitamins that even when stored for several years they still have much higher vitamin content than other foods (such as fresh applesauce). A good rule of thumb is to eat a variety of foods.
The above noted nutritional scientists made an important statement, "Minerals and carbohydrates change very little in stored foods." What great information, this means there can be value in old food storage! It may not taste the best, look the best, but it may keep you alive. Some nutritionists believe that your body stores vitamins, proteins, and fats up to three months, which would make stored minerals and carbohydrates valuable! Ultimately you will need to make the decision when to throw your food away, but it may be wise to keep old food storage until you have new to replace it.
DisasterNecessities.com has used the phrase, "best if used in 5 years." We feel comfortable with this counsel. If you want the best nutrition, taste, color, odor, and overall quality then simply keep your food as cool, dark and dry as possible and rotate your food within 5 years. By rotate we mean actually using your food storage as part of your daily diet. This will help you become adapted to your wheat, beans, or any food that is part of your program.
Keep in mind these important factors that influence the life and nutrition of your food.
- Oxygen
- Moisture
- Temperature
- Form of packaging
- Protection from insects, rodents, and chemicals
- Oxygen. This bountiful element is the key ingredient in oxidation; a process that adversely changes the chemical properties of food. To preserve food, oxygen must be removed. Airtight containers help, but very few are 100% effective. The best solution is to use a small, safe, chemical-filled packet called an oxygen absorber, which, when used correctly, will remove up to 99.5% of oxygen from storage containers.
- Moisture. Generally, the higher the moisture content in the product, the shorter its life. Moisture allows bacteria and mold to grow, causing food to turn rancid more quickly. Moisture breaks down food. The warmer the water the faster the breakdown.
- Temperature is one of the most important factors in determining shelf life. A general rule is the lower the temperature the longer the shelf life. Storing your food in the garage with a room temperature of 90 degrees during the day and 50 degrees at night is very hard on your food storage and will cut your shelf life tremendously. In addition to storing your food cool and dry, it is also important to keep a stable temperature. Fluctuating temperatures can cause your food to deteriorate over time. Optimal storage recommendations include storing your food in a cool, dry, dark area with a constant temperature between 50 and 60 degrees. We realize that is not always achievable, so we suggest storing your food as close to the optimal recommendation as possible. In short, store your food in a cool, dark, and dry environment.
- The type of packaging can drastically affect shelf life of food. Food should only be stored in food-grade containers. These containers do not contain any hazardous chemicals and are safe for storing food even for long periods of time. Containers not approved for food use include trash or garbage bags, paint cans, and industrial plastics that have been used or designed for non-food purposes. Oxygen absorbers are essential for long-term shelf life. It is recommended to have food packaged in either a #10 can or metalized food grade plastic bag with an oxygen absorber. This process is sometimes referred to as "nitrogen packed" because once the oxygen is removed all that remains is nitrogen.
- Protection from insects, rodents, and chemicals is especially important when deciding how to store your supplies. Food grade containers such as #10 cans and metalized food storage bags are great for storing food. Quality #10 cans are double enamel coated inside and out, so they will not rust. The metal and enamel coating protects food from insects and rodents because they cannot smell the food through the can. Metalized food storage bags are similar to the #10 cans in their ability to protect food from insects and rodents. It is important to remember to not store your food storage near any chemicals including household cleaners.
A study was performed at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. The quality of dehydrated non-fat milk was tested at different storage conditions. Here are some of the results.
- Nonfat dry milk stored at 90 degrees F began to develop "off flavors" by 6 months and considered unacceptable (oxidized and stale) after 2 years.
- Nonfat dry milk stored at 70 degrees F was considered unacceptable (oxidation and stale) after 4 years.
- Nonfat dry milk stored at 50 degrees F resulted in minimal flavor changes after 52 months (4 1/3 years).
This study is just one example of the effects that time have on food storage items. Every food is different and the shelf life can vary depending on storage conditions. We suggest marking the date on your food before putting it in storage, incorporate it into your diet, keep it cool, dark and dry and remember, "food is best if used within 5 years."
We hope this information has helped you to understand some of the basics in storing food.
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A: How long can the Average person survive without water?-http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=000AEAC0-93EC-1DEF-A838809EC588F2D7
A: How long do your Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated foods last?-
Your Freeze-Dried and Dehydrated foods will last on average between 5 to 7 years depending upon the storage temperature. To clarify, your food storage will never "go bad" it will actually loose its nutritional value after 5 to 7 years. So in essence, your food storage is "good forever", however you would lose the nutritional value after a number of years.
Generally your Dairies, Fruits, and Vegetables are the first ones to lose their nutritional value so it is important that you keep that in mind when rationing or using your food storage supplies.
More information on Dehydrated Food Storage
There is perhaps nothing as satisfying as “putting up” your own food. Bottling and drying are the traditional ways of preserving homegrown produce. Drying food is one of the oldest methods of saving food for another day. This process involves removing moisture from food, while exposing it to temperature increases and moving air.
Dried fruits provide an inexpensive and sweet alternative to sugary store-bought foods. Fruit leathers and jerky are two examples of snack replacements that you can produce at home for virtually pennies.
The three primary ways of home drying food today are: sun drying, oven drying, and using a dehydrator.
Sun drying is ideal for fruits such as apricots, peaches, grapes, and figs, although there is other produce suitable for drying. Sun drying requires a number of hot (85 degrees or higher) days with relatively low humidity. Spread thin pieces of fruit evenly across a shallow pan and cover with a cheesecloth to keep the food safe from bugs. Putting boxes in the back seat of a car and laying the tray on top, with full exposure to the sun through the back windshield, is one creative way people have dried food. Others have used sunny porches, balconies and even flat roofs to dry their food.
Oven drying involves drying food at temperatures between 130 and 150 degrees. (Some older ovens may not have temperature settings this low). As in sun drying, distribute pieces of food in a shallow pan or dish. You may want to check the food periodically for adequate dehydration.
If the temperature is too low or the humidity too high when sun or oven drying, the food may dry too slowly or even spoil. When the temperature is too high it could cook the food and make it hard on the outside, while leaving the inside moist and vulnerable to molding or other forms of spoilage from microorganisms.
Commercial dehydrators offer the most controlled drying environment. They provide a constant ideal temperature combined with heated air that circulates via a blower or fan. Fruits, vegetables, and meats can dry while you are away at work, asleep, or doing your household chores with minimal worry or fuss.
After drying the food, cool it to room temperature and loosely package in plastic bags, hard plastic containers, or glass jars. For longer-term preservation, pack in airtight containers. Foods that you dehydrate yourself are not only great for snacks at home but are useful when camping or backpacking since they do not require refrigeration.
There are many good books on the market that specifically describe how to dry fruits, vegetables and meats with delicious recipes included.
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