Survey Reveals Nearly Half of Americans are Sufficiently Prepared for Emergencies

According to findings from an omnibus survey conducted by the Canned Food Alliance (CFA) and AISI nearly half of Americans say they've purchased supplies for an emergency. AISI's Steel Packaging Council invests in the CFA to change consumers' perceptions and purchasing behaviors in regard to canned food. With September being National Preparedness Month, the CFA worked with the Department of Homeland Security to develop the survey questions and commissioned the survey of Americans to explore how prepared they are for emergencies. It is important to note that Americans in the West and the South, those most recently affected by earthquakes, wildfires and hurricanes, are more likely than others to say they have bought emergency supplies. The CFA will work with the Department of Homeland Security to inform American families how to stock their pantries with convenient, safe and nutritious canned food.

The survey also found that steel is at or near the top of lists of materials Americans would want to have their homes' doors and frames to protect them from natural disasters. Three-quarters of those surveyed said they would want steel doors for their home.

Of those who have not purchased supplies, procrastination is the top reason for not doing so. More than a third believe they won't be affected by an emergency. Motivating these unprepared Americans will likely happen close to home. The survey found that six-in-10 of those Americans who are unprepared would be compelled to purchase supplies if they received a warning from the local government or if they had a previous experience with disaster. For more information, contact Rich Tavoletti.

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