Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness
May 2024 – Emergency Bathroom
Our last challenge was to prepare 72-hour kits by getting a backpack for each family
member. This month we will add our first emergency supplies into our kits.
Week #1—First
Things First
What
is the very first thing you will need in a large emergency? It’s not food—you
can survive about a week without food. It’s not water—you can survive 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 #2—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.
· 5-gallon Bucket ($3 - $5)
· Toilet Seat for 5-gallon Bucket (plastic, $13
- $15)
· 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 #3—Make
an Emergency Toilet
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.
If your home is otherwise habitable, you can line the toilet
in your home instead of a 5-gallon bucket. Replace the garbage bag at least
once a day. Securely tie the top of the bag and carefully dispose of it in the
garbage. For a 3 minute video, click here.
Week #4—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)
Extra
Credit—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.
Bonus: This series of videos from a Utah-based expert in emergency preparedness is very informative! Sanitation in a Disaster Video Series
