Word of the Week Sanitation

Word of the Week for December 6^th, 2021, is Sanitation

In our modern world, if you want to brush our teeth, it is simple. You go in the bathroom, turn the water on, grab the toothbrush and toothpaste and go at it. Everything is put into the sink and the running water will rinse it down the drain.

You need to go to the bathroom. It is no problem. You walk into the bathroom, shut the door, do what you need to do, and flush the toilet. It goes down the drain.

During a major disaster, we might not have these luxuries.

You need to think about this if you are going to be sheltering in your home for a while.

In your water storage plan, have at least one-half gallon of water per person per day available for cleanliness needs.

Pooh or Pee

Yes, you know you are going to have to do it at some time.

Depending on the situation, you may still use your toilets even if you do not have running water to flush them.

You can have ample water for this if you fill up your bathtub before or immediately after the event. You can use a bucket to pour the water in the toilet tank, and your waste can be flushed.

If you are not able to flush your toilets because of no water, or the sewage pipes are broken, there are ways to manage the accumulation of bodily waste.

If you do not prepare ahead of time, a minor emergency could turn into a nightmare. Various conditions might arise that would prevent the use of the bathroom. It is vital that some way be devised to dispose of human wastes. Failure to PROPERLY remedy the situation can lead to the rapid spread of bacteria and disease.[i]

Additional information on disaster sanitation tactics can be found in the Family Urban Disaster Planning book.

Till next time

“Be Safe”

P.S. Remember not to forget to get your gift the Holiday House Fire-Safety eBook https://www.eapworkshop.com/f/holiday-fire-safety

[i] Tore Knos, “Pathogens and Diseases in Feces and Urine,” Sanitation Health in Transition, January 10, 2018, https://www.sanitationhealthintransition.com/new-page-2.