EDITORIAL: What's in your pantry right now?

Enough to get you by if we had a storm like the one that hit Brisbane and knocked out power for 24 hours or more?

I have a couple of tins of trusty ol' baked beans and a few other bits and pieces that would see me through - just.

I'm usually a pretty organised person so it's a bit embarrassing to admit I've dropped the ball on being prepared for an extended blackout.

But I'll take the storm chaos in Brisbane as a timely warning and a trigger to get myself sorted out.

The State Government's emergency kit checklist includes:

• fresh water for three days
• non-perishable food and a can opener
• first-aid kit
• portable radio
• torch
• sturdy gloves
• spare batteries
• essential medication

I have most of these items but finding what I needed at night during a blackout might be another story.

Dog food would have to be added to my checklist but since most of the time I have more than a week's supply of it, my little mate would probably be better looked after than me.

If, like me, you aren't ready for an emergency, then join me in pulling everything together in the one spot so if the worst happened, you could lay your hands on whatever was needed.