Emergency Preparedness: Sanitation

The lack of sanitation can kill faster in a crisis after the first 48 hours than anything else.

In a crisis situation, it’s essential to keep in mind simple procedures to lower the risk of contamination.

 

 

  1. Washing hands
    1. It’s easy to make your own natural hand sanitizer. I use equal portions of witch hazel and distilled water, with a few drops of essential oils. This kills harmful bacteria while not disrupting the gut biome. I keep a small bottle in my purse for when I’m out in public.
  2. For disinfecting surfaces:
    1. I use a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
    2. Peroxide also works.
    3. There are commercial products like Thieves that are based on essential oils.
  3. Toilet:
    1. Be careful where you place your ‘outhouse’ if that is what you choose. It’s easy to contaminate local water sources.
    2. Bucket system. A pool noodle along the edge makes it more comfortable.
    3. Using the regular toilet with a garbage bag liner and kitty litter
    4. A composting camping toilet. Boxio is one I’ve used.
    5. Rags can be used to replace toilet paper. Used rags can be dropped into a bucket with a mix of water/vinegar until laundry day.
  4. Feminine hygiene
    1. Rather than purchasing and storing vast amounts of the disposable products (and then having to dispose of them), plan for that time of the month now.
      1. Reusable pads. These can be purchased or made. (These can go into the bucket with the TP rags.)
      2. Lena reusable menstrual cup. These take practice to use without making a mess. Depending upon the flow, they need only to be emptied a couple times a day.
  • Period panties. These might be best for the young girls. There are several options. They can be put in the TP bucket for washing. Depending on the age of the female, I would probably plan on 2-4 pairs a day.
  1. Personal cleanliness
    1. Camp showers
    2. Baby wipes
    3. Pond/lake
    4. 5-gallon bucket setup

We will not be able to keep as clean as normal in a crisis situation when water is not readily available. Drinking/cooking water will be the main focus, not showers.

The challenge today is to assess your sanitation supplies. Start this week in creating a shopping list of what you still may need.

I share more information on this topic in my Emergency Preparedness classes on my Skool page, Living Ready Collective.

One small step at a time is how we become Living Ready.

One day. One step. One family better prepared.
**Remember: I do offer in-person and online trainings for groups. Let me know how I can be of service. For more information, check out my website: Kindlingdreams.com.