Having basic survival food staples on hand -- starting with these five -- will put you in a much better position to weather a power outage, natural disaster, economic collapse, civil unrest, or worse. Read on to learn what items you should have on hand, and how to build up a long-term food storage in your own home. Water. Dehydration happens much more quickly than starvation, which is why water is of primary importance. Water is essential to maintain life, prepare food and maintain basic hygiene.

A reliable source of water -- whether it's a well with a hand pump or water storage barrels and a purification system -- should have top priority as a survival food staple. Grains. Necessary for energy and essential nutrients, grains can provide the basis of a diet when enough supporting foods (such as fats and meat) are available to ensure the body can assimilate and digest the grains.