Disasters are a dirty business... literally. Often more hazardous than the disaster event itself (earth shaking, hurricanes blowing) are the filthy conditions that follow the event. Contaminated drinking and bathing water, lack of functional toilet facilities, no sterilizing agents and cleaning supplies, can combine to create a hazardous environment, leading to illness and sometimes death. However, a small collection of sanitation and hygiene supplies can help you and your family remain clean and healthy following a disaster, when toilets, showers and sinks may not function, and emergency assistance may not be available.
Your task: Gather and store a disaster sanitation and hygiene kit.
Emergency Sanitation & Hygienic Supplies:
- Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid – Use this to store your kit, and as a latrine if necessary.
- Box of 1-gallon Ziploc bags for protecting and storing clean supplies.
- Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties for waste.
- Baby wipes.
- Soap.
- Shampoo.
- Hand sanitizer.
- Disinfectant cleaner (anti-bacterial cleaning spray).
- Toothpaste, toothbrush.
- Washcloths and towels.
- Toilet paper.
- Fine-tooth comb, brush.
- Deodorant.
- Sunscreen.
- Razor, shaving cream.
- Lip balm.
- Insect repellent.
- Feminine supplies.
- A small shovel for digging a latrine.
- Contact lens solution.
- Mirror.