WATER
TREATMENT
WATER SUBSTITUTES
DISINFECTANTS
EMERGENCY SEWAGE DISPOSAL
SANITATION SUPPLIES
MAKING A MAKESHIFT TOILET
SANITIZING AND DISPOSING OF WASTE
SOLUTIONS FOR APARTMENT DWELLERS
KEEPING CLEAN
CONTROLLING PESTS
INTESTINAL SYMPTOMS (DUE TO CONTAMINATED
FOOD AND WATER)
More often than not, water supplies are contaminated during
a disaster. This poses a problem for not only drinking purposes,
but also for safe and adequate hygiene and sanitation purposes
as well. Water must be sanitized to be safe and free from contaminants
that could cause illness and even death.
To treat water, follow these steps:
1. Filter the water using a piece of cloth or coffee
filter to remove solid particles.
2. Bring it to a rolling boil for about one full minute.
3. Let it cool at least 30 minutes. Water must be cool
or the chlorine treatment described below will be useless.
4. Add 16 drop of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of
water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water. Stir to mix.
Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25% to 6% should
be the only active ingredient in the bleach. There should not
be any added soap or fragrances. A major bleach manufacturer
has also added Sodium Hydroxide as an active ingredient, which
they state does not pose a health risk for water treatment.
5. Let stand 30 minutes.
6. If it smells of chlorine. You can use it. If it does
not smell of chlorine, add 16 more drop of chlorine bleach per
gallon of water (or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water), let
stand 30 minutes, and smell it again. If it smells of chlorine,
you can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, discard it
and find another source of water.
If
local public health department information differs from this
advice, the local information should prevail.
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Water
Substitutes
Water Substitutes for Cleansing
-Rubbing alcohol
-Lotions containing alcohol
-Shaving lotion
-Face creams and lotions
-Towelettes
-Wet wash cloth to clean teeth, wash face, comb
hair, and wash body
-Makeshift shower - Use a spray bottle to shower
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Disinfectants
The best choice is a solution
of 1 part liquid chlorine bleach to 10 parts water. Other
commercial disinfectants include HTH, or calcium hypochlorite,
which is available at swimming pool supply stores; portable
chemical toilets, which are available through recreational
vehicle supply stores; and powdered, chlorinated lime, which
is available at building supply stores.
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Emergency Sewage Disposal
Many
times during a disaster people are not only left with contaminated
water, but also
they may not even have access to any running water at all.
Faucets run dry, and toilets will not flush. It is imperative
that human waste be disposed of properly, so as to keep an
area free of contamination.
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Always have basic sanitation supplies on hand:
-Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid.
-Plastic garbage bags and ties (heavy duty)
-Household chlorine bleach
-Soap, liquid detergent
-Toilet paper
-Towelettes
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Have Supplies on Hand to Build a Makeshift Toilet
If sewage lines are broken but the
toilet bowl is usable, place a garbage bag inside the bowl.
If the toilet is completely backed up, make your own. Line
a medium sized bucket with a garbage bag and make a toilet
seat out of two boards placed parallel to each other across
the bucket. An old toilet seat will also work.
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How to Sanitize Waste
After each use, pour a disinfectant
(see Disinfectants) such as bleach into the container. This
will help avoid infection and stop the spread of disease.
Cover the container tightly when not in use.
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How to Dispose of Waste
Bury garbage and human waste
to avoid the spread of disease by rats and insects. Dig a
pit 2 to 3 feet deep and at least 50 feet downhill or away
from any well, spring, or water supply.
If the garbage cannot be buried
immediately, it should be stored in a manner so as to not
contaminate your living area. Keep on the premises at least
one extra 10-gallon garbage can or other waterproof container
with a tight fitting cover. This should be lined with paper
and/or a plastic bag. And the lid should be fastened to the
can to prevent its loss. Such a can may be used for the emergency
storage of body wastes until the public sewage system can
be put back into action, or until other arrangements can be
made. Empty your emergency toilet into this storage can as
often as necessary. A small amount of household disinfectant
should be added after each use. If you live in an apartment,
you may not have a large garbage can or room to keep one.
In that case, two smaller covered pails or other containers
will do just as well.
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Solutions
for Apartment Dwellers
Persons in city apartments,
office buildings, or homes without yards should keep a supply
of waterproof paper containers on hand for emergency waste
disposal. Where flush toilets cannot be used and open ground
is not available for the construction of privies, such disposable
containers offer a practical method of emergency waste collection
and disposal. Building managers should plan for the collection
of such containers and for their final disposal. Before collection,
the used containers may be stored in tightly covered garbage
cans or other water tight containers fitted with lids. Homemade
soil bags for this purpose can be prepared very easily by
putting one large grocery bag inside another, and a layer
of shredded newspaper or other absorbent material between.
You should have sufficient grocery bags on hand for possible
emergencies. A supply of old newspapers will come in handy
for other sanitary uses also, such as wrapping garbage and
lining larger containers.
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Keeping Clean
Keeping clean is essential to
good health. Because water is so precious and should be reserved
for drinking purposes, consider other ways to wash the body.
Keep Body, Hands, and Cooking and Eating
Utensils Clean
-Use proper plates or eat from the original food
containers if water is not available for washing dishes.
-Wash and peel all fruits and vegetables.
-Keep all food in covered containers.
-Prepare only as much as will be eaten at each
meal.
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Controlling Rodents and Insects
-Keep living area clear of debris, garbage, refuse,
and body wastes.
-When possible, repair holes to keep out rodents.
-Household insecticides will work in small and
enclosed areas.
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Intestinal ailments
Consuming contaminated water
and food can cause diarrhea, poisoning, and intestinal diseases.
Take steps to protect against diseases.
All
information obtained from FEMA
(Federal Emergency Management Agency)
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