Are you Ready? Disaster Preparedness Helpful Hint #2: Cool, Clear Water

Posted: March 29th, 2010

Disaster preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We cannot rely on the government for help. Previously, with Helpful Hint #1, I discussed how to use an old pair of loafers as part of your disaster plan so that you can safely and easily get mobile. Next, you’ll need food and water to survive. Most everyone knows they should have an emergency food supply at home, and this will be discussed at a later time. However, even more important is your emergency WATER supply.

Helpful Hint #2: Cool, clear water
A person can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water. How much should you store?

Store a MINIMUM of 5 gallons of water per person (1 gallon per person per day for 5-7 days). And the more you can store the better—and, don’t forget about your pets!

Purchased bottled water should last 1-2 years. If you bottle it yourself, add a few drops of chlorine bleach, and then again a few more when you drink it. This water should be changed every 6 months. (Think Daylight Savings Time – replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and your emergency water supply.)

Don’t store the water near toxic substances such as pesticides or gasoline as the vapors will penetrate the plastic over time.

To purify water, boil it vigorously for at least 10 minutes. If no heat is available, add liquid bleach with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) in the following amounts: