Sanitation

Cleanliness is next to Godliness! (John Wesley)

FACT: More people die after a disaster due to poor sanitation than from the disaster itself. This is due to individuals not knowing where or how to properly deal with waste. Fly infestations also pose a problem, and if waste is left out in the open, it will only lead to the susceptibility of epidemics such as cholera, typhoid or diphtheria.  In the American Civil War more than 70,000 soldiers died of dysentery and the same sickness killed more soldiers in the Spanish American War than did bullets!  RECENT EXAMPLE:  The survivors of the earthquake that occurred in Haiti (2010) dealt with this very problem.  World’s largest cholera epidemic – it killed more than 7,050 Haitians and sickened more than 531,000, or 5 percent of the population.

That epidemic broke out due to people being uneducated on how to properly dispose of waste.  Because our local waste management teams do the job for us, most everyone is uneducated on this subject.  But if an emergency arises and the water and sewage systems are corrupted, then your waste becomes your responsibility.

What it would be like if our trash wasn’t picked up each week? Have you thought of how you would dispose of it? What would happen to our town if trash was left to sit out in the Texas sun to bake for weeks on end without anyone hauling it away? The odor alone would be enough of a nightmare to face, but what about what is inside the trash itself (i.e., dirty diapers, contaminated medical supplies, rotting meat and food)? This type of situation would cause E. coli and bacteria to invade most everything that you touch. If a situation like this was allowed to continue, the potential for diseases and epidemics would create an entire new disaster to be dealt with.

No one really wants to discuss sanitation because it’s an unpleasant and dirty subject; however, it is one of the most important areas to focus on when preparing for a disaster.

In a disaster where water resources are compromised, people within a 50 mile radius could be adversely impacted by illness and disease if just one person handled the trash improperly. When trash cannot be picked up, it must be burned or buried by you; however, municipalities cannot risk contamination to the water source or soil from people who incorrectly bury their debris, so it is important to know how to properly dispose of your waste products.

In an article regarding this subject, emergency preparedness author, Kellene Bishop of Preparedness Pro has this to say,

“If you don’t take emergency sanitation seriously, then the consequences can be extremely dire – even up to a 50 mile radius. Preventing waste from contaminating the soil is just as important as preventing the spread of any other disease as it contaminates crops, water, and air. Additionally, as water will be scarce in a time of emergency, ensuring that it does not get contaminated with improper sanitation habits is critical.”

Understanding how to properly dispense of waste products so that it does not affect water sources is an important skill to possess.  Having an emergency sanitation kit for short term disasters could be very beneficial.

LAUNDRY:

Off Grid Laundry (good article but links are outdated-new ones listed below for same items)

Manual Clothes Washers

Clothes Wringers

Non-Electric Clothes Press

Drying Racks

How to Dry Your Clothes Without Power

Make Your Own Spin Dryer

Doing Your Laundry In An Emergency 

VIDEO - making a manual laundry station 

No Electricity? No Problem!  The Wonder Wash

Tips for Washing Laundry Without Electricity:

http://thesurvivalmom.com/clean-clothes-without-electricity/

http://preparednessmama.com/washing-laundry-without-electricit/

http://theselfsufficientliving.com/15-off-grid-washing-machines-do-your-laundry-without-electricity/

SOAP NUTS - WHO KNEW?

Laundry Soap Nuts - natural, fragrance free, biodegradable, hypoallergenic and as little as $.09 p/load!

SOAP NUTS - 330 loads

For an eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, natural laundry softener consider using Wool Dryer Balls

Little Lamb - 6 Pack of Wool Dryer Balls with FREE Soap Nuts

SEPARATING ISN'T JUST FOR THE LAUNDRY! 

(A VERY INTERESTING POINT ABOUT WASTE):

https://www.phlush.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Twin-Bucket-Leaflet-in-pdf.pdf

Christchurch no-mix toilet

METHODS TO DISPOSE OF HUMAN WASTE:

Add a Sanitation Kit to Disaster Supplies

Having a sanitation kit that is ready in times of disaster is essential to keeping your family and neighbors healthy. These kits can fit comfortably into a bucket, are affordable, and will not take up much space. Additionally, being educated on how to properly dispose of waste is a key factor in keeping everyone healthy during a disaster.

Some suggested sanitation supplies to add to any short or long term emergency kits are:

• Disposable bucket or “Luggable Loo”

• Toilet paper

• 1-2 rolls of paper towel

• Rubber gloves

• Garbage bags with twist ties (for liners of toilets or luggable loo)

• Bleach and Bathroom cleaner

• Cat Litter or absorbent material such as saw dust or dirt

• Baby wipe

• Baking soda can be used to help eliminate odors

• Vinegar

• Shovel

• Soap or antibacterial cleanser (one per family member)

Toilet paper is an important prep item that many seem to overlook. According to Wikipedia, Americans use an average of 23.6 rolls of toilet paper per year. Maybe that number should be doubled – a person can never have enough toilet paper. Let’s just say that one person needed 50 rolls per year. Using that instance, a family of 5 should have 250 rolls of toilet paper in reserve!

There are many types of toilet paper alternatives to use in case the toilet paper reserve runs out. Leaves are nature’s alternative to toilet paper. Therefore, having a stockpile of TP alternatives may be of help in emergency situations.

 Toilet Paper Substitutes

• Phone books

• Unused coffee filters

• Corn cobs (That’s right- Corn Cobs)

• Dilapidated kitchen towels that will not be used for cleaning anymore.

• Cut strips from a worn sheet

• Mail order catalog

• Bank notes

Other Toiletry Items to Keep In Mind

Toilet paper isn't the only item to take into account when preparing your survival reserve. Anything that you use for hygiene needs to be categorized under toiletries. Some of these include:

• Woman’s toiletries for their sanitizing needs

• Diapers/baby wipes

• Kleenexes

• Anti-bacterial soap

• Moist towelettes

• Lotion

• Deodorant

• Toothpaste/toothbrush

• Shampoo/body wash

• Comb

• Razor and shaving cream

• Toilet seat and lid cover

To get a jump start on your toiletry stockpiling, don’t be afraid to go to places online that give out free samples of things, the Dollar Store or hoard your hotel leftovers. The point is to be resourceful in finding those toiletry items. They don’t have to be brand name. They just need to be available to you when you need it the most.

Prevention is the key to stopping the spread of communicable diseases, so prepare appropriately. If water services are interrupted during a short term emergency, consider these alternatives:

• Clean and empty the water of the toilet bowl out.

• Line the bowl with a heavy-duty plastic bag.

• Once the bag has waste, add a small amount of disinfectant and deodorant (e.g. cat litter) and securely tie the bag and dispose of it.

• A large plastic trash can (lined with a heavy duty bag) can be used to store the bags of waste. Once waste services begin, the city will come and collect these.

• If waste services do not begin, then you may need to consider burning or burying your waste. If you decide to do so, there are factors you need to consider.

 Source and more info: Week 8 of 52: Emergency Sanitation

Long Term Disasters

Sanitation during a long term disaster requires the same sanitation supplies used in a short term disaster; however, a more permanent structure, (e.g., a latrine) must be put into place for long term use.

-  Simple slit or pit latrines (see section above) are the easiest and cheapest way to dispose of waste.

-  Ventilated latrine and an odorless earth closet that prevents fly infestations are also good choices. Learn more by clicking here.

-  Composting toilets are above ground latrines that are another alternative and once the waste is decomposed, it can be used in the garden. Click here for more information.

Burning trash is an option for items that cannot be reused or recycled, possibly providing energy that can be used for warmth or cooking. Some municipalities will allow outdoor burning only in covered enclosures, such as a chimenia, to reduce the possibility of the fire spreading out of your control . You should familiarize yourself with the details of what can and cannot be burned as well as the rules and laws of your city or town. Outdoor burning should be avoided when conditions are very dry and/or windy due to the high risk of wildfires.

Action Items:

1. Create a sanitation kit for your family.

2. If you are preparing a sanitation kit with infants in mind, ensure that you have accounted for their short- and long-term needs.

3. Familiarize yourself with different methods of handling the sanitation problems that arise during short- and long-term emergencies.

SOURCE: 

Week 26 of 52: Emergency Sanitation Preparedness List 2

What You Need in Your Emergency Bathroom Kit

RESOURCES:

Making your own hand sanitizer by using natural ingredients.

SURVIVAL SANITATION

    Part 1 - It All Begins With the Hands

    Part 2 - How to Deal with Human Waste

    Part 3 - Disposing of Garbage Off-Grid

http://www.nationalterroralert.com/sanitationhygiene/

http://readynutrition.com/resources/what-to-do-when-the-sanitation-hits-the-fan_22122010/

http://hesperian.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/environmental/EHB_Sanitation_EN_watermark.pdf

http://www.thenewsurvivalist.com/waste_disposal_during_an_emergency.html

https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/home/clean-the-house-like-granny-did-1.441258

Clean the House Like Granny Did