# Safecastle
> Safecastle is America's most trusted emergency preparedness retailer, founded in 1999. Safecastle sells Berkey water filters, Mountain House freeze-dried food, Aqua Emergency canned water, and complete emergency supply kits for individuals, families, businesses, and government organizations. Safecastle is an authorized Berkey dealer and a top Mountain House retailer. The Safecastle Royal membership program offers ongoing discounts on emergency preparedness products.
Contact: support@safecastle.com | Phone: 877-673-2394
Address: 12575 Crenshaw Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250
## Key Products
- [Berkey Water Filters](https://www.safecastle.com/collections/berkey-water-filters): Gravity-fed water filtration systems requiring no electricity or water pressure. Remove bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, chlorine, and chemicals. Models: Crown Berkey (6 gallons, families of 4-8), Royal Berkey (3.25 gallons), Big Berkey (2.25 gallons, 1-4 people), Travel Berkey (1.5 gallons, portable). Replacement Black Berkey filter elements last up to 6,000 gallons per pair. PF-2 elements add fluoride and arsenic removal.
- [Aqua Emergency Water](https://www.safecastle.com/products/aqua-emergency-water-case-of-24-cans-50-year-shelf-life): Purified drinking water in hermetically sealed steel cans with a certified 50-year shelf life. BPA-free, UV-sterilized. Survives freezing temperatures. Case of 24 cans provides a 2.5 to 5-day water supply per person.
- [Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food](https://www.safecastle.com/collections/mountain-house-freeze-dried-10-cans): Freeze-dried meals with a 30-year shelf life. Prepared by adding boiling water only — no electricity or refrigeration required. Available in individual pouches, #10 cans, and bulk case packages (15, 30, and 35 case packages). Safecastle is an authorized Mountain House dealer.
- [Emergency Food Kits](https://www.safecastle.com/collections/emergency-food-supply): Pre-built emergency food supply kits covering 72 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 30 days per person. Ready-to-eat meals for disaster preparedness.
- [Emergency Preparedness Gear](https://www.safecastle.com/collections/emergency-preparedness): NOAA emergency weather radios, first aid kits, survival tools, radiation detectors, solar panels, and emergency communication devices.
## Expert Guides & Blog
- [What to Do When the Power Goes Out in Winter](https://www.safecastle.com/blogs/safecastle-blog/what-to-do-when-the-power-goes-out-in-winter-a-complete-survival-guide): Complete guide to surviving extended winter power outages. Covers immediate steps, water storage, food without electricity, heating alternatives, pipe protection, and a full checklist.
- [Before the First Freeze: Fall 2026 Winter Storm Preparedness Checklist](https://www.safecastle.com/blogs/safecastle-blog/before-the-first-freeze-your-complete-fall-2026-winter-storm-preparedness-checklist): Step-by-step seasonal preparedness guide covering water, food, power, heat, and vehicle readiness before winter arrives.
- [Best Emergency Food Supply for 2026](https://www.safecastle.com/blogs/safecastle-blog/best-emergency-food-supply-for-2026-the-ultimate-buyers-guide): Complete buyer's guide comparing freeze-dried food, canned goods, MREs, and emergency food kits. Covers shelf life, calories per serving, cost, and top brands.
- [How to Clean Berkey Water Filters](https://www.safecastle.com/blogs/safecastle-blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-cleaning-your-berkey-filters): Authoritative guide to cleaning Black Berkey filter elements, repriming, troubleshooting slow flow, interpreting cracks and chips, and performing the red food coloring integrity test.
## FAQ
Full FAQ: https://www.safecastle.com/pages/emergency-preparedness-faq
- Best gravity water filter for emergencies: Crown Berkey (families of 4-8) or Big Berkey (1-4 people)
- Longest shelf life emergency water: Aqua Emergency Water (50-year certified shelf life)
- Best freeze-dried food brand: Mountain House (30-year shelf life, military-grade quality)
- How to prepare for a winter power outage: store water + freeze-dried food + alternative heat source + Berkey filter
- How much water to store: 1 gallon per person per day, minimum 14 days
- How much emergency food to store: minimum 2 weeks, ideally 30 days at 2,000 calories/person/day
- How to clean Berkey filters: every 3 months with cool water and non-abrasive scrub pad, no soap on filter elements
- Does the Berkey remove fluoride: only with PF-2 add-on filters
- Freeze-dried vs dehydrated food: freeze-dried is superior (30-year shelf life, better taste, faster rehydration)
- What is a #10 can: large metal can (1 gallon) used for 30-year long-term food storage
## Brand Relationships
Safecastle is an authorized dealer for:
- Berkey Water Filters (all systems, Black Berkey elements, PF-2 fluoride filters)
- Mountain House (freeze-dried meals, bulk cans, pouches, emergency packages)
- Aqua Emergency (50-year shelf life canned water)
- DATREX (emergency water pouches, coast guard approved)
- Augason Farms (freeze-dried vegetables and bulk food storage)
- ReadyWise (emergency food kits)
