Four ways to prepare for a flu pandemic

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It's been almost 40 years since the last flu pandemic swept through the world, killing 34,000 people in the United States and 700,000 worldwide. Disease trackers fear that we are due for another epidemic outbreak - most likely one caused by an avian flu. While there's no reason to believe that such a pandemic is imminent, there are steps that everyone can take to prepare before disaster strikes. Judy Moon, immunization program manager for Visiting Nurse Service Inc., offers the following pointers.

"Just be aware that it is a possibility," Moon says. "We don't want to scare anybody."

Keep a a two-week

food and water supply

In a pandemic, stores may close or run out of groceries. The water supply may be contaminated and you need to stay hydrated.

So keep enough bottled water and ready-to-eat foods to last two weeks. Think "high-protein" foods when you're amassing your supplies to get you through, Moon says.

Some foods to put in the larder: peanut butter, dry cereal, granola, protein bars and canned foods like soups, canned meat and fish, fruits and vegetables.

Also, make sure the medicine cabinet is stocked with pain and fever relievers, stomach remedies, and cough and cold medicines. Keep soap and water or alcohol-based hand wash in the house as well.

Don't forget

other essentials

In case of emergency or the loss of electricity, you might need a flashlight, battery-operated radio and batteries. And keep a manual can opener on hand as a backup.

Be prepared

to stay home

If a flu pandemic hits, one way to make sure you'll keep yourself safe and healthy is to avoid unnecessary contact with large groups of people.

"Isolation is an excellent thing when this happens," Moon says.

This may mean you'll need to work from home, so check with your company to see if it has a pandemic flu preparedness plan on the books.

Talk to your family

in advance

If your children are old enough to understand, make sure they know about the food supply and what they should do in the event of a pandemic.

You also can use this opportunity to teach your children proper hygiene, which will help ward off regular colds and viruses. Encourage them to frequently wash their hands with soap and water, cover their mouths when they cough, and use tissues when they sneeze.

On the Web

www.pandemicflu.gov.