Emergency Preparedness for People with Celiac Disease
Disasters can happen without warning. To help keep your family safe, here are our top tips for getting prepared in an emergency situation. When you have family members with celiac disease or gluten-free food requirements, it’s important to take their nutritional needs into consideration as well, which may require some additional planning. This guide combines general emergency planning with gluten-free specific tips so you can be ready for anything.
Quick-Start: Top 5 Gluten-Free Emergency Prep Actions
- Stock 72 hours of gluten-free food your family will actually eat
- Pack a “grab and go” bag with labelled gluten-free snacks and utensils
- Freeze bottles of water to keep food cold during power outages
- Rotate supplies yearly – check all labels before restocking
- Keep a printed list of safe gluten-free brands, in case the internet is down and you need help remembering
General Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Food & Water
- 2L of drinking water per person per day, for 72 hours
- Water for pets
- non-electric can opener
- portable cooking option (camping stove, BBQ, gas stove)
- paper plates, cups, utensils, foil pans
- disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces before preparing food
Medical & Health
- 14-21 day supply of medication
- list of medications and prescriptions (take empty bottles if necessary or pictures of the labels – this can help you get refills faster if necessary)
- first aid kit
Safety & Tools
- flashlights & extra batteries
- portable phone charger or power bank
- hammer, rope, tarp, space blankets, matches/lighter, candles
- hand-crank or battery powered radio
Documents & Communication
- copies of IDs and insurance papers
- list of emergency contacts (phone + email)
- cash in small bills
- full change of clothes for each family member
- spare set of house and car keys
Gluten-Free Emergency Food Ideas
Long Shelf Life (No Cooking Needed)
- Gluten-Free crackers
- Canned beans, fruits, vegetables, fish or meats
- dried fruit
- gluten-free granola or protein bars
- nuts and seeds
- peanut butter, soy butter, sunflower seed butter
- vacuum-packed jerky
- gluten-free cereal
- applesauce cups or pouches
- freeze-dried meals
- powdered or canned milk
If You Have a Cooking Source
- Gluten-free pasta & shelf-stable pasta sauce
- rice, quinoa, lentils and other pulses
- gluten-free soups (cans or boxes)
- canned or frozen meats/fish
Celiac-Specific Shelter & Cross-Contact Tips
- Bring your own sealed snacks to avoid relying on shelter meals
- Store food in labeled, airtight containers
- use your own utensils, plates and cutting boards
- keep disinfecting wipes to clean surfaces before preparing foods
Smart Storage & Rotation
- Freeze bottles of water to keep food cold and provide extra drinking water
- Rotate emergency supplies yearly – note expiration dates
- Keep gluten-free foods in waterproof bins or bags near your front door or in a reinforced area
Pre-Packaged Gluten-Free Emergency Kits
- Total Prepare – Canadian supplier of gluten-free emergency meals
- Thrive Life – Freeze-dried gluten-free food options
- MEC AlpineAire Foods – Outdoor gluten-free meal packs
Remember to read every label, every time.
Government Resources
Find emergency preparedness tips specific to your province/territory:
