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Sanitation and Hygiene in an Emergency

​​Staying healthy during an emergency is important due to a potential lack of healthcare immediately after a disaster

​Before a disaster:

  • Make a plan ​for what you will do for sanitation
  • Add items to your emergency kit ​to help with sanitation
    • Heavy duty plastic bags and twist ties
    • Disinfectant (liquid bleach diluted 1 cup bleach to 10 cups of water)
    • Large garbage can (at least 10 gallon) with heavy duty liner and tight fitting lid
    • 5 gallon bucket
    • Cornstarch (for drying waste)
    • Sanitary napkins/tampons
    • Toilet paper
    • Liquid soap
    • Baby wipes (moist towlettes)
    • Bath towels
    • Insect repellent
    • Fingernail clippers 
    • Disposable diapers (if you have a cloth diapered child)
During an Emergency:
  • Do not flush the toilet if water lines are damaged 
    • Do not dig holes in the ground and using these for a toilet; Untreated raw sewage can pollute fresh ground water supplies. It also attracts flies and promotes the spread of disease.
  • Using the toilet without water
    • Remove the water in the bowl
    • Line the bowl it with a heavy-duty plastic bag
    • When finished, add a small amount of cornstarch and disinfectant
    • Securely tie the bag 
    • Dispose of the bag in a large lined trash can with a tight fitting lid
    • The MOA will provide a means to dispose of these bags
  • ​Portable camp toilets, small trash cans or sturdy buckets lined with heavy-duty plastic bags can be used
  • Continue regular hygeine like brushing your teeth, washing your face, combing your hair and wash your body with a wet washcloth
  • Keep your fingers out of your mouth
  • Avoid handling food with your hands
  • Purify your drinking water. 
    • Use purification tablets (check bottle for expiration dates) 
    • Chlorine Bleach​
    • Boil water for 10 minutes
    • ​Dishes should be rinsed in purified water that has chlorine bleach added to it (Use 2 1/2 teaspoons bleach per gallon of purified water)
  • Keep your clothing as clean and dry as possible, especially under-clothing and socks
  • If you develop vomiting or diarrhea, contact your doctor

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