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By Shaunda Rauch on September 03, 2013 from Emergency Services Blog
Preparedness is a year round activity. However, September is the month for recognizing national preparedness. The overall goal is to engage the public to make preparedness a part of their daily lives … building awareness and encouraging Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses and places of worship. Throughout September I’ll be sharing with you simple steps you can take to help prepare yourself, your family and your neighborhood for emergencies/disasters that may impact your life. Small preparedness steps taken today will pay large dividends when disasters occur.
Today, let’s take a closer look at: Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency
Follow these steps provided by the CDC to make sure you and your family have enough safe food and water (for drinking, cooking, bathing, etc.) available in the event of a disaster or emergency.
Prepare an Emergency Food Supply
Keep foods that:
· Have a long storage life
· Require little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration, in case utilities are disrupted
· Meet the needs of babies or other family members who are on special diets
· Meet pets' needs
· Are not very salty or spicy, as these foods increase the need for drinking water, which may be in short supply
How To Store Emergency Food
- A disaster can easily disrupt the food supply at any time, so plan to have at least a 3-day supply of food on hand.
- When storing food, it is not necessary to buy dehydrated or other types of emergency food. Canned foods and dry mixes will remain fresh for about 2 years.
- Certain storage conditions can enhance the shelf life of canned or dried foods. The ideal location is a cool, dry, dark place. The best temperature is 40 to 60°F. Keep foods away from ranges or refrigerator exhausts. Heat causes many foods to spoil more quickly.
- Keep food away from petroleum products, such as gasoline, oil, paints, and solvents. Some food products absorb their smell.
- Protect food from rodents and insects. Items stored in boxes or in paper cartons will keep longer if they are heavily wrapped or stored in airtight containers.
- Date all food items. Use and replace food before it loses freshness.
Preparing Food
Preparing food after a disaster or emergency may be difficult due to damage to your home and loss of electricity, gas, and water. Having the following items available will help you to prepare meals safely:
- Cooking utensils
- Knives, forks, and spoons
- Paper plates, cups, and towels
- A manual can- and bottle-opener
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Gas or charcoal grill; camp stove
- Fuel for cooking, such as charcoal. (CAUTION: Never burn charcoal indoors. The fumes are deadly when concentrated indoors.)
Prepare an Emergency Water Supply
- Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. You should consider storing more water than this for hot climates, for pregnant women, and for persons who are sick.
- Store at least a 3-day supply of water for each person and each pet (try to store a 2-week supply if possible).
- Observe the expiration date for store-bought water; replace other stored water every six months.
- Store a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water and to use for general cleaning and sanitizing.
Note: Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases the need for drinking water.
Water Containers (Cleaning and Storage)
- Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency water supply.
- Use of food-grade water storage containers, such as those found at surplus or camping supply stores, is recommended if you prepare stored water yourself.
- Before filling with safe water, use these steps to clean and sanitize storage containers:
- Wash the storage container with dishwashing soap and water and rinse completely with clean water.
- Sanitize the container by adding a solution made by mixing 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach in one quart of water.
- Cover the container and shake it well so that the sanitizing bleach solution touches all inside surfaces of the container.
- Wait at least 30 seconds and then pour the sanitizing solution out of the container.
- Let the empty sanitized container air-dry before use OR rinse the empty container with clean, safe water that already is available.
Avoid using the following containers to store safe water:
· Containers that cannot be sealed tightly
· Containers that can break, such as glass bottles
· Containers that have ever been used for any toxic solid or liquid chemicals (includes old bleach containers)
· Plastic or cardboard bottles, jugs, and containers used for milk or fruit juices
For proper water storage,
· Label container as "drinking water" and include storage date.
· Replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every six months.
· Keep stored water in a place with a fairly constant cool temperature.
· Do not store water containers in direct sunlight.
· Do not store water containers in areas where toxic substances such as gasoline or pesticides are present.
For more preparedness related information, please visit Ready.gov or contact my office at srauch@bridgeportwv.com, (304) 842-8200 x252.
Excellent question Mr. McElroy!!
Below you will find specific actions regarding emergency drinking water disinfection according to the US EPA: Look for other sources of potable water in and around your home: When your home water supply is interrupted by natural or other forms of disaster, you can obtain limited amounts of water by draining your hot water tank or melting ice cubes. In most cases, well water is the preferred source of drinking water. If it is not available and river or lake water must be used, avoid sources containing floating material and water with a dark color or an odor. Generally, flowing water is better quality than stagnant water. Examine the physical condition of the water: When emergency disinfection is necessary, disinfectants are less effective in cloudy, murky or colored water. Filter murky or colored water through clean cloths or allow it to settle. It is better to both settle and filter. After filtering until it is clear, or allowing all dirt and other particles to settle, draw off the clean and clear water for disinfection. Water prepared for disinfection should be stored only in clean, tightly covered, containers, not subject to corrosion. Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water: USE ONLY WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, OR FOR BRUSHING TEETH. 1. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available. 2. If you don't have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers. 3. If you can't boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1?8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers. 4. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice. For more detailed information regarding water purification visit http://water.epa.gov/drink/emerprep/emergencydisinfection.cfm
Posted by Shaunda Rauch
Sep. 07, 2013 at 3:53 PM EST
You recommend "Store a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water" What is the proper way to do this? Under what circumstances should it be done?
Posted by Stephen McElroy
Sep. 06, 2013 at 7:52 AM EST
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