Neighborhood
Emergency Preparedness
Sept 2022
– Emergency Bathroom & Hygiene
Last month we started making 72-hour kits by
getting a backpack for each family member. This month we will add our first
emergency supplies into our kits.
What is the very first thing you will need in
a large emergency? You can survive about a week without food, and about 3 days
without water. The very first thing you will need is a bathroom—you can only go
a few hours without one, especially if you have children.
Week
#1—Gather the Supplies
If
you lose city water or sewer during an emergency, you will not be able to flush
the toilet. Add these items into your 72-hour kit so you can make an emergency
toilet.
· 2
5-gallon Bucket ($3 - $5)
· Toilet
Seat for 5-gallon Bucket (plastic, $13 - $15) (or pool noodle)
· Garbage
Bags (heavy duty kitchen)
· Kitty
Litter, Pine Bedding, or both (2 large bags, scented)
· Toilet
Paper (in plastic)
· Paper
Towels (in plastic)
· Hand
Wipes or Sanitizer
Week
#2—Make an Emergency Toilet
For
a 6 minute video about the 2 bucket system, click here.
Supply info here.
(In an extended disaster, bury the bags rather than storing them as she says in
the video.)
Line the 5-gallon bucket with 2 garbage bags.
To control smells, put some kitty litter or pine bedding in at the start and
after each use. Snap the plastic toilet seat on the bucket and close the lid
(or use pool noodle).
If your home is otherwise
habitable, you can line the toilet in your home instead of a 5-gallon bucket.
Plug the toilet bowl hole with a flexible rubber ball before putting the bag in
the toilet bowl.
Replace the garbage bag at least once a day. Securely
tie the top of the bag and bury or store outside.
Week
#3—Gather Other Bathroom Items
Get personal hygiene supplies for each family member and put them in their
individual 72-hour backpacks.
·
Tissues (in
plastic)
·
Comb or Brush
·
Toothbrush, Toothpaste,
and Dental Floss
·
Mouthwash and
Deodorant (travel size)
·
Wash Cloth
· Mirror (small)
· Feminine Hygiene Products
·
Cleaning Solution
for Glasses/Contacts
·
Diapers, Baby
Wipes, and Diaper Rash Cream
· Litter Box and Poop Bags (for pets)
Week
4—Shave, Shower, and Laundry
Most people can easily go 3 days without
shaving, showering, or doing laundry. However, if you would like to stay clean
or prepare for longer emergencies, buy shave, shower, and laundry supplies for
camping. For a 3 minute video, click here.
(sorry about the audio…but the info is good.)
Extra Credit:
For more Utah-specific and
in-depth videos on sanitation in a disaster, see the First Responder Mom videos and how to plug drain holes here.
Neighborhood Radio Net: Sunday, Sept 11: Participate in a GMRS Radio Net on the 2nd Sunday (Sept 11th) at 4 pm). Eric & Amy Dennison will be available to answer questions about the GMRS radios. If you have a GMRS radio, we can do a test and help you get started using it.
Zoom link: https://byui.zoom.us/s/4366630502 (Join as attendee)
