For this trip down the rabbit hole it is time we address one of the least talked about components of emergency planning, sanitation. Remember we are using the same scenario for this post as we have been using for the last few. There has been an earthquake, your home is safe to stay in and now you have to make it a few days till things are normal. Make sure to look up what is the greatest threat in you area and substitute your greatest threat for this planning.
Your prior planning has worked out so far, following the plan your entire family has made it home and are safe. Your home is standing and you will be able to shelter inside. You feel good, your family just sat around the dinner table eating, telling the adventure of getting home, laughing together and now it is time to clean up. You gather up the dishes and move to the sink. Without thinking you load the dishwasher as one of the kids yells out the toilet won't flush....................
Let's roll this back for a moment. You followed the guide lines put out by the government, you have one gallon of water per person. You have figured out the water is going to run out faster than you thought it would. It takes a lot of water to accomplish what most of us do in a day and now you need to wash dishes, clean up and figure out what to do for bodily functions!
Should there be a emergency the scope of the 'Big One' in California, tornado, tsunami, flood or whatever the major threat in your area is odds are our regular sanitation system is not going to work properly or at all. Imagine the garbage not being picked up once a week. Water not coming out of the tap and the toilets not working. For most of us we have never lived under these sorts of conditions and have no frame of reference to work from. Most of us take these things for granted. Luckily we are going to take a couple of steps to make this situation not so shocking should it ever happen.
For this post we are not planning on having to deal with this situation for more than a few days. Otherwise we could spend hours talking about how to build a well for safe water, proper methods for disposing of garbage, waste water disposal and long term sanitation. For this we will focus on short term solutions to immediate issues.
Big box stores are great for getting the things we can use for this issue. Buy bulk of garbage bags, cleaners, paper towels and the very important toilet paper. Just make this a habit even if you do not have a big box store you can do it at the Dollar Store, 99 cent store or other discount stores. Save paper plates, plastic utensils and other paper products from kids parties or other events. We do not need a lot just enough for three or four days.
The concept we want to work with here is to not add to the already stressful situation we have found ourselves in. There was just a natural disaster, you're stressed out wondering what is next, who made it, what damage has happened and is there more to come? We do not need to add more stress and we definitely do not want to get sick right now! The last thing we need is to become a casualty due to illness, not be able to help those around us and worst yet loss a loved one after the event due to poor sanitation practices.
Most of us have enough cleaning supplies around the house we can go a day or two without having to run to the store and get more. If you do not have any cleaning supplies we need to talk! Fellas, although I am sure you think this is what your 'pad, crib, cave, place' looks like.....
And you need to buy some cleaning supplies. Why? Because when it comes to be the knight in shining armor you need something to shine the armor with!!!!
Among the most important things you can pick up for the "just in case" stash is garbage bags. Buy the ones contractors use. Ones made to hold stuff and not rip. The normal ones you put in your kitchen garbage can can work but we might be putting more than the average garbage in this if we have to. Now is not the time to have a bag leak!!!!
While I was looking for photos I found some for the ladies or some of the fellas! If you're bored during the emergency you might be able to entertain yourself with some of the latest in emergency fashions??????
Or the best one I found
Ok that was funny! Now getting back on track here......... We just had dinner, by utilizing paper plates, plastic forks and plastic cups we can just throw everything away! Dishes are done!! We also just saved water for drinking, washing and other things. Our gallon apiece is going further now.
We want to clean up after eating and now the paper towels and cleaning supplies come in handy. After cleaning we just add the towels to the garbage bag. Now for some of us this might sound weird but separate your garbage. Put uneaten food in one bag and paper or plastic products in another. This way you have a ready source of burnable items if needed. You can even go a step further and separate the plastic from the paper since plastic is really something we do not want to burn to heat ourselves or cook on.
As you go through the emergency you want to rise your level of sanitation as much as you can. Flood waters carry bugs which will make you sick. Cramped quarters allow bugs to spread. Piles of garbage attract rodents and bugs. All of these things can and will make you sick.
Now the gross part......... at some point someone is going to have to go and it won't be something you want to leave in the bowl for a few days! We need to figure out what to do with the 'Poo'. Your going to be glad you have garbage bags for this next part...........
Most the time you can use water and flush the toilet by pouring water it to the tank BUT if you need to pick between flushing and drinking, drinking the water is a much better use. So we need to figure out what to do. Although it may smell urine does not need to be flushed every single time you go. This saves water for when you really need to flush. If an area outside, away from everyone, not near a water source can be found, for a limited time most of us are equipped to urinate outside. This is not a long term solution but for a day or two, if done properly, it is fine. In some cases we need to figure out an alternative means.
Now we are going to need to do something with these bags. Remember this is short term answers. utilize a pair of rubber gloves, gloves you only use for this purpose, you do not want to use the same gloves you use when cleaning the kitchen. Close the bag, ties it off and use some duct tape to make sure it is closed. Really good bags ought to be able to last a day or two without issues. Find another container like a garbage can and place the bags inside. Mark the can and secure the lid if you can. Hopefully your city has a plan with what to do with this type of waste after an emergency and it will be worth it to find out. You do not want some city worker telling you they can not remove the waste because you did not follow the guidelines they have.
Remember to have hand sanitizer in the bathroom or wherever you have designated the facilities at. You might not have the water for people to use to wash their hands but you really have to make sure they clean their hands after using the facilities! Also make sure their is air freshner!
This post is getting long, let's wrap it up. Sanitation becomes a major issue is the system fails. In underdeveloped areas the lack of proper sanitation causes illness and death on a regular basis. For those of us in developed areas the sudden loss of the system is something we do not know how to live with and our bodies are not accustomed to dealing with. We need to take a few steps to assist ourselves and prepare.
Buy cleaning equipment and supplies.
Have paper plates, plastic utensils and cups on hand.
Address solid waste issues now by having plastic bags and buckets on hand.
Do not get sick and become a casualty due to poor sanitation...................
As Always,
Stay Safe.
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