1 gallon of purified water per person per day for three days

Methods to purify water for safe drinking supply

Boiling Method

1. Bring water to a rolling boil, and keep it at a rolling boil for the time specified in the chart below. At sea level, water must boil for 5 minutes to be safe. Roughly, for every 500 feet increase in altitude drops the temperature of boiling one degree Fahrenheit so you must boil it one minute longer to achieve the safe level of heat. This will kill harmful organisms.
2. Skim off any residue on the top, or pour into a container with a tap at the bottom to dispense the water.

Bleaching Method

1. Filter the water if it looks cloudy or dirty. Pouring the water through a coffee filter, cloth such as a bandanna, will help, but it will not remove organisms.
2. Add two drops of household bleach per quart or per liter for clean looking water. Add four drops per quart or per liter for dirty water (16 drops of bleach per gallon of water). Bleach is a widely accepted method of emergency water disinfection, and is recommended by many agencies. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, color-safe bleaches, or bleaches with added cleaners.
3. Stir or agitate water to disperse the bleach.
4. Wait 30 minutes and repeats the dosages if there is NOT a slight chlorine odor (you should notice a slight chlorine smell). This odor can be lessened by pouring the water between two containers a couple of times.

Iodine Method

1. Use 2% U.S.P. strength iodine, or purchase purification tablets from a camping store. It is useful to carry a small container with you when camping for both emergency purification needs and first aid.
2. Put 2 or 3 drops in a bottle and shake it up to disperse the iodine.
3. Wait 20-30 minutes for the iodine to purify the water and to avoid drinking the iodine.
4. Use this method sparingly, as too much iodine can be poisonous.
5. For larger doses, use about 20-40 drops per gallon of water.

Tips To Bear In Mind

• Boiling is considered one of the most effective methods of water purification and will kill bacteria, viruses and protozoans. However, it uses significant amounts of fuel, which may be a problem if camping, and does not remove sediments from water.
• Always wash the container that will hold your water first. If you are using non-purified water to wash the container wash it with strong bleach water or at least rinse it with the purified water.
• Read the directions on iodine tablets before purchasing. It takes more than you think it will!
• Iodine water tastes terrible. Use a drink mix to cover the flavor.
• In the most recent Popular Science Issue there is a new thing called a life straw, search it on Google. It is priced at about $5 and purifies over 300 gallons of water.
• You may want to filter the water before you purify it. There are two ways to do this:
  
  • Use a piece of cotton cloth, such as a clean handkerchief or clean white sock. Pour the water through the cloth several times until the water is clear to the eye.
  • Silk is an excellent filter. the water passes quickly through multiple layers.
  • Cut the bottom off of a water or coke bottle. Roll a clean sock up on itself and stuff it down to the neck of the bottle. Add an inch and a half of sand. If possible, add an inch and a half of wood charcoal (not charcoal briquettes like you grill with) from a fire (rinse all the ashes off first!). If not, add an inch and a half of grass and leaves. Add another layer of sand, then roll up a second sock and stuff it into the bottle. Pour your water through the filter until it is clear to the eye.
• You'll have to gather the water first. One of the best natural sources is a stream (the higher you get, the purer the water). If the stream by chance looks muddy, take some sort of cloth(like shirt or sock or any part of your clothes) and collect the water, then wring it out in a container. The mud will stay in the cloth while the clean water goes into the container.
• Make a container to hold the water from dew or rain by taking hot coals and putting them on a tree stump. You can make a 16oz cup from a stump in one hour. Once done, just scrape the coals out of the stump (make sure you do not use a yew or any locust trees because those are poisonous and could make you sick).
• Boil water in a plastic container over a raging fire. the water dissipates the heat and prevents the plastic from melting. however it cannot come into direct contact with the fuel or coals because that will melt it.

Warning

• Do not use too much or the bleach will burn your throat and stomach! Bleach can be toxic at high levels. Be sure to leave the top off while letting water sit so that the bleach vapors can dissipate.
• Brita or a simple PUR do not remove microorganisms from the water—they filter basic minerals in your tap water to make it taste better! PUR does make a filter that will remove giardia and cryptosporidium. Check the label to be sure what you're getting.
• People with thyroid problems should check with their doctors before using water treated with iodine.

Select items that don't require refrigeration, preparation, or cooking, and require little or no water and has a long shelf life. Foods from the list below should not just be in your home, they should be in your Disaster Supply Kit. If you choose to use military meal packs or wilderness food, be sure to store enough additional water to prepare these foods. Consider including foods in your kit that will be comforting as well as nourishing. Also, remember that pet food should be included and that container sizes should take into account the fact that you may not have any form of cold storage. So, for instance, baby foods must be in single-serving containers because you will have to discard unused portions that cannot be refrigerated.

Set aside a specific part of your house for emergency storage. Keep your items and food supply in the same area. It is cool, dark, undisturbed, and has the highest chance of surviving everything but floods. Make sure all food supplies are sealed and packed in plastic tubs to prevent mice damage.
Put heavy items, like water, down low and light weight items on higher shelves. Label everything with expiration dates and make a list of what expires next so it is easier to use and replace items.

Make sure all food supplies are sealed and packed in plastic tubs to prevent mice damage. Put heavy items, like water, down low and light weight items on higher shelves. Label everything with expiration dates and make a list of what expires next so it is easier to use and replace items.

When the Power Goes Out

Food Safety

Previously frozen foods: Meat, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables can usually be safely refrozen if they still have ice crystals present or are very cold (40 degrees F or lower), but there will be some loss of quality. Refrozen foods should be used as soon as possible. When cooking, remember that refrozen foods have been thawed once. If thawing is necessary, do it in the refrigerator or microwave, not by thawing at room temperature.

Discard any food that has an off color or odor, or food that has warmed to room temperature for an unknown length of time.

Generally, if in question about the food safety, discard it.

A well-stocked first-aid kit, kept within easy reach, is a necessity in every home. Having supplies gathered ahead of time will help you handle an emergency at a moment's notice. You should keep one first-aid kit in your home and one in each car.

Choose containers for your kits that are roomy, durable, easy to carry, and simple to open. Plastic tackle boxes or containers for storing art supplies are ideal, since they're lightweight, have handles, and offer a lot of space.
Include the following in each of your first-aid kits:

* first-aid manual
* sterile gauze
* adhesive tape
* adhesive bandages in several sizes
* elastic bandage
* antiseptic wipes
* soap
* antibiotic cream (triple-antibiotic ointment)
* antiseptic solution (like hydrogen peroxide)
* hydrocortisone cream (1%)
* acetaminophen and ibuprofen
* extra prescription medications (if the family is going on vacation)
* tweezers
* sharp scissors
* safety pins
* disposable instant cold packs
* calamine lotion
* alcohol wipes or ethyl alcohol
* thermometer
* plastic gloves (at least 2 pairs)
* flashlight and extra batteries
* mouthpiece for administering CPR (can be obtained from your local Red Cross)
* your list of emergency phone numbers
* blanket (stored nearby)

After you've stocked your first-aid kits:

• Read the entire first-aid manual so you'll understand how to use the contents of your kits. (If your children are old enough to understand, review the manuals with them as well.)
• Store first-aid kits in places that are out of children's reach but easily accessible for adults.
• Check the kits regularly. Replace missing items or medicines that may have expired.

What to Put in Your Travel Kit

• Adhesive tape
• 4" x 4" sterile gauze pads
• Antacid - For indigestion
• Antidiarrheal (Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, for example)
• Antihistamine cream
• Antiseptic agent (small bottle liquid soap) - For cleaning wounds and hands
• Aspirin - For mild pain, heart attack
• Adhesive bandages (all sizes)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Oral antihistamine
• Book on first aid
• Cigarette lighter - To sterilize instruments and to be able to start a fire in the wilderness (to keep warm and to make smoke to signal for help, for examples)
• Cough medication
• Dental kit - For broken teeth, loss of crown or filling
• Exam gloves
• Small flashlight
• Ibuprofen (Advil is one brand name)
• Insect repellant
• Knife (small Swiss Army-type)
• Moleskin - To apply to blisters or hot spots
• Nasal spray decongestant - For nasal congestion from colds or allergies
• Nonadhesive wound pads (Telfa)
• Polysporin antibiotic ointment
• Oral decongestant
• Personal medications and items
• Phone card with at least 60 minutes of time (and not a close expiration date) plus at least 10 quarters for pay phones and a list of important people to reach in an emergency
• Plastic resealable bags (oven and sandwich)
• Pocket mask for CPR
• Safety pins (large and small)
• Scissors
• Sunscreen
• Thermometer
• Tweezers

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person, and make the footwear something rugged (*not rubber slippers). Rain ponchos and sun glasses are recommended. A small portable pillow and blanket is a plus.

The exact list of tools and emergency supplies will depend on many variables. For instance having self powered radios and self powered flashlight is a good start. Make sure your cell phone and extra cell phone batteries (get them if you do not already have some) are charged before leaving or before the power can go out. You can charge them up with the power from your car if you have a DC to AC converter. It is also a good idea to make sure that you have a BBQ and lots of charcoal or propane so that you can cook and heat foods for meals. A Weber Kettle Grill uses the least amount of charcoal. They can slow cook 20+ lbs of meat at the same time with one batch of charcoal. You could cook enough to feed the whole neighborhood. Small propane bottles can connect to lamps, heaters, and cooking appliances. Your family, location or skills may suggest other important tools you might need.

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Every situation is different depending on the ages of children, the level of functionality of impaired adults, and other factors that only you can assess for your family. Include games, pastimes and toys that will make the difficult times much easier for both children and adults.

The take box should also have everything you need to reconstruct your life in the event you evacuate and everything is lost. Passports; birth, wedding, adoption, divorce, and armed service separation certificates; copies of insurance policies; mortgage information; house and car title; large purchase receipts. You might want to include other documents or necessities. If you have a scanner, save yourself space and heartbreak by scanning family albums and images of other keepsakes, burn those to CD and keep a copy in your take box.

• Battery operated flashlights are fine if the power is out for a short time. The new LED flashlights work well, as long as a spotlight isn't needed. They're great for personal lights, and the batteries last five to ten times as long as with regular incandescent flashlights.
• After a couple of days you will need candles for light. Buy big decorative candles that will burn for days. Keep lanterns/candles in frequently used locations, such as the bathroom counter, next to the door, and on your bedroom nightstand. IF there are gas leaks, explosive chemicals in your area, do NOT use candles, if you do, watch them to prevent fire, especially if children are with you.
• "Self Powered Lights" and "Self Powered Radios". This equipment is either solar powered, and/or has a "crank up" generator built into the light and the radio. This will SAVE you $$$$ on batteries, IF you can find any, since they'll be sold out WEEKS before a storm hits you. Some of these models will also charge cell phones.
• Glow sticks are safer than candles, in case there are gas leaks, explosive,flammable chemicals in your area.
• Solar powered garden lights. You can charge them up in the sun by day and use them indoors for lighting at night.
• Battery-operated radio
• Canned goods and can opener, fruits and vegetables and other foods that do not require refrigeration such as soda biscuit.
• Water (at least one gallon daily per person with a seven-day supply). You can also fill up bathtubs if you close or seal the drains.
• Bleach. In the event that water enters your home, you will need to get it out and then kill any microbes that remain.
• Take highly-valued items with you or, for those items staying in the home, wrap in plastic or place in plastic bags. Even if you are riding out the storm, consider placing photos, insurance papers, cash and other important papers (Identification Card, Passport, Voters ID, etc.) in sealed zip lock bags.
• Corded phone. Even if your electricity is out, your telephone may still work. Cordless phones still require electricity, so plug in a corded phone, and you may be surprised.
• Cell phone and extra charged batteries.
• A DC to AC inverter.
• Pre-moistened towelettes.
• Battery-powered fans will be very appreciated if the power is out.
• Lots of batteries of all sizes (you can always use later what is not used during the storm). Consider buying a car battery to power battery operated devices in the home.
• Make sure each person has their own flashlight and battery supply, in case you have to separate.
• A good supply of all prescription drugs.
• A first-aid kit.
• Optional but helpful is one pair of wading pants for each member of the family, or at least the adults of the household and a blanket each. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you do not want to be walking around with your skin exposed to contaminated water if there is a need, after the storm, to walk from the home.
• Plenty of self powered flashlights. This type of light needs NO batteries, which will be unavailable if a hurricane hits and destroys your area, batteries are sold out in your area. Candles are fine too as long as you follow some basic safety rules such as attending to them at all times. DO NOT use if there is gas in your area, you even suspect gas in the area.
• Supply of Disposable Utensils (cups, plates, forks, etc.) and Plenty of large plastic garbage bags to dispose of human waste and other garbage.
• Supply of Toilet Paper, and other toiletries (Toilet paper, soaps, disinfectants, etc.) as needed.
• At least one 5-gallon bucket and cat litter (the bio-degradable kind) for toilet use.
• A pocket knife for cutting things.
• Baby formula and baby pampers