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Sanitation & Hygiene in a Disaster
Sanitation & Hygiene in a Disaster
Hurricanes provide hours or even days of warning. Even tornadoes give about 13 minutes of warning on average. But not earthquakes, although you may get a few seconds of pre-shaking before the major shaking starts. How much ground can you cover in a few seconds? You'll be lucky if you have enough time to get under a sturdy table.
Envision Utah recently released a presentation entitled, "Disaster Resilience: What Would Happen in the "Big One?" that outlines the impact a M7.0 earthquake would have on the Wasatch Front. The sobering statistics this report includes explains why FEMA officials have stated, "The Wasatch Fault is one of the most probable catastrophic natural threat scenarios in the U.S."
Much confusion exists regarding what the Richter Scale measures, and the exponential increase in earthquake strength that accompanies upticks in magnitude numbers. A handout has been put together to help explain this and provide comparisons between "Moderate," "Major," and "Great" earthquakes.
Hopefully you'll take the time to look at these two handouts. Their contents will increase your awareness of our area's extreme vulnerability on the earthquake front, and may also motivate you to forge forward with your emergency preparedness efforts. Remember: "It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark" (Howard Ruff).
Sanitation & Hygiene in a Disaster
Sanitation & Hygiene in a Disaster
"Sanitation and hygiene is a life and death concern during a disaster." (Practical Survival Blog)
"Sanitation and hygiene is a life and death concern during a disaster." (Practical Survival Blog)
This month's emails will provide answers to the following questions:
· What supplies do you need to meet your basic sanitation needs? What's the best way to remove germs that can make you and others sick? (08.08.2020 Email)
ATTACHED ARE TWO HANDOUTS THAT ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
(1) Basic Household Sanitation Supplies
(2) CDC Hand Washing Fact Sheet
· How do you keep water and food safe?
· How do you dispose of garbage and human waste without creating a health hazard?
· How do you shower or bathe if the water supply is limited? How do you clean your clothes without a working washing machine and dryer? How do you keep the insects and critters at bay?
Keeping Food & Water Safe
Keeping Food & Water Safe
Should a M7.0 earthquake rock the Wasatch Front, critical utility systems will be shut down for lengthy periods of time. From Envision Utah's recent report, these are the number of Utah households that will be without safe drinking water and electricity on days 1, 30, and 90 after a M7.0 earthquake:
Without Safe Drinking Water: Day 1 - 483,600; Day 30 - 362,900; Day 90 - 332,800
Without Electricity: Day 1 - 444,600; Day 30 - 27,300; Day 90 - 80
Without electricity and safe water the threat of deaths from diarrheal disease caused by contaminated water and spoiled food skyrockets. It's vital that you know how to keep your food and water safe during a natural disaster and severe weather events.
ATTACHED ARE 2 HANDOUTS THAT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES:
(1) CDC Eat Safe Food Fact Sheet
(2) CDC Drink Safe Water Fact Sheet
Click HERE for additional information from the CDC on this topic.
Waste Disposal
Waste Disposal
Envision Utah and FEMA estimate critical utility systems will be shut down for lengthy periods of time should a M7.0 earthquake rock the Wasatch Front. From Envision Utah's recent report:
# of Households Without Safe Drinking Water:
Day 1 - 483,600; Day 30 - 362,900; Day 90 - 332,800
Sewer: Restoration time likely 2-3 times that of water restoration!!!
Mother Nature's call cannot be ignored. Do you know how to deal with that in a way that won't spread disease? Additionally, do you have a plan for dealing with the garbage you and your family generate if the city's weekly garbage pickup service is suspended for a time?
ATTACHED ARE 2 DOCUMENTS THAT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES:
Washing Clothes & Bathing
Washing Clothes & Bathing
Keeping Insects & Critters at Bay
Keeping Insects & Critters at Bay
The different public utilities (water, electricity, sewer) will be out of commission for lengthy periods of time should the "Big One" rock our world. The damage will be extensive, and it will take months for most of the utility systems to get up and running again.
Good hygiene is vital if we are to maintain our health and prevent the spread of disease. That means we may need to bathe and clean our clothes with limited water and without electricity. We also will need to know how to control insects and other critters to prevent them from contaminating precious food supplies and spreading disease and germs.
ATTACHED ARE 3 DOCUMENTS THAT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES:
(1) Washing Clothes & Bathing Options in the Aftermath of a Disaster
(2) Controlling Insects after Disasters
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