Earthquakes, Water, & Sanitation

As most of you heard, we had a 4.9 earthquake in northern Utah this week. I hope that you will all see this as a warning of a bigger earthquake and take this time to prepare yourselves. Click HERE to view the Utah Red Cross Be Ready Checklist.

 I strongly urge you all to have adequate water storage. Make it a priority! Think of how many times you turn on a faucet during the day. Many people 

 will be inconvenienced when there is no water. I like to have large spray bottles on hand for times that we won't have water. I will use one for water with soap in it and one with just water. The kids can spray their hands with the soapy water and then a few sprays with the water bottle. This will save water when everyone washes their hands.

How is everyone doing with the April goals? Have you planned a garden or found a container to plant a few plants in? I hope everyone took advantage of the case lot sales and stocked up on the food items that your family uses.

One of the other April goals is to gather cleaning supplies and in this category is also sanitation. I know, none of us want to think of this, but we really do need to prepare for times of toilets not flushing. On to the portable potty......
This awesome information found at: PreparednessNibblesAndBits.blogspot.com
During a disaster “just plan on losing your utilities.” It is important to have a Sanitation Kit because we don’t know when our disaster will be. The lack of proper sanitation can cause the spread of disease and even death.
Here’s some ideas for assembling your own Sanitation Kit:

SANITATION KIT:
“Luggable Loo*” - snap-on lid (fits 5 or 6 gallon buckets)
1 (5 or 6-gallon) bucket
Store the following inside your bucket until needed:

• Heavy Duty disposable garbage bags (you won’t want to deal with leaky bags
• 1 (12 oz.) “Super Sorb” (takes care of odors - available at janitorial supply stores)
• 1 container “Hi-Genic” (non-acid bowl and bathroom cleaner - available at janitorial supply stores)
• 1 bottle of hydrogen peroxide (natural disinfectant)
• 1 small bottle of vinegar
• 1 container baking soda
• 1 empty spray bottle
• 2 to 3 rolls toilet paper (with cardboard removed)
• 1 pkg. baby wipes
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Disposable gloves
• Hand sanitizer
• Lotion (hand sanitizer will tend to dry out hands)
• Bonus: 2 emergency blankets (for your privacy screen if needed)

Directions: Empty contents of the bucket. Line the bucket with a heavy duty disposable garbage bag. Put 1 tablespoon “Super Sorb” into the garbage bag. Securely attach “Luggable Loo” lid. Keep lid closed when not in use. When bucket is 1/3 full, empty it by tying the bag up and disposing of it properly.
To dispose of waste:
Emergency Sewage Storage. “Keep on the premises at least one extra 10-gallon garbage can or other waterproof container with a tight fitting cover. This should be lined with paper and/or a plastic bag. And the lid should be fastened to the can to prevent its loss. Such a can may be used for the emergency storage of body wastes until the public sewage system can be put back into action, or until other arrangements can be made. Empty your emergency toilet into this storage can as often as necessary. A small amount of household disinfectant should be added after each use. If you live in an apartment, you may not have a large garbage can or room to keep one. In that case, two smaller covered pails or other containers will do just as well.” –http://www.pep-c.org/emergencysewagedisposal
Another option for disposing waste:
“When the plastic bag is filled to a point where you can carefully dispose of it, you will want a tight-fitting leak-proof container you can put the filled bags where insects and vermin cannot get at, or you may want to have a fairly deep hole (at least three to four feet deep) in your back yard where you can safely dispose of the bag, cover with a few inches of soil at each disposal and have a cover to keep vermin out and people from falling in….” –Sanitation, Part 1
For more detailed information regarding Sanitation check out:
http://www.pep-c.org/sanitation
Sanitation, Parts 1 & 2
*LUGGABLE LOOS are available at:
* Recreation Outlet, 3160 S. State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 (Sells the lid separately for $7.99 ea. or the bucket and lid for $12.99.)
* Cabela’s ($9.99 - lid only/$14.99 lid and bucket)
* Target (available on-line only) has a bucket and lid for $14.99
* Rei ($18.00 - lid and bucket)
* Google “luggable loo” to find the best prices and locations for you.
*Emergency Essentials $15.95 bucket, lid, 2 enzyme packets. They also sell a pop up porta potty tent for $59.95 which can also be used for a shower
Click HERE to view the doodie bags that turn waste into gel for easier clean up.
Click HERE to view the bags that fit on your existing toilet.
NOTE: “Be Ready Utah” has an idea for an Emergency “Porta Potty” Kit which includes Kitty Litter: http://bereadyutah.gov/family/potty.html