 You've made your family home disaster supplies kit plus have similar kits in your car and at your office You've written out your contacts family meeting plans and home inventory You've gathered and safely stored your important documents But when a disaster actually strikes you'll need to think about how to apply what you know to ensure your survival and comfort This program will help you safely meet basic family needs water and food temperature control Sanitation communication and other supplies Also, this program will tell you how to restart the recovery process During or after an earthquake flood blizzard tornado or severe storm you may not have electricity for several days You may be on your own or at least without modern conveniences for an extended time This program teaches how to sustain yourself and your family in the immediate aftermath of disaster More deaths occur following a disaster than during this program will help you stay safe during that time When disaster strikes you'll want to know the status of family members and co-workers if you created a communications plan before the disaster Follow it, but remember to remain flexible If possible go to the American Red Cross safe and well website and Facebook safety check to register yourself as safe and well Or to search for loved ones Ham radio operators will be able to communicate with each other So if you have contacts, they may be able to put you in touch with family or for emergency assistance If family members might be returning home leave written notes at your agreed-upon place Continue to listen to local media on a battery or crank radio or NOAA weather radio for updates or additional emergency alerts If possible check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled Try to communicate with family members, especially kids to pass the time and to help calm nerves with open and honest information Cell towers and phone lines may be down or overwhelmed You may not be able to make a phone call, but you might be able to text since that doesn't need as strong of a signal Also, sometimes it's easier to call or text out of your area code rather than locally So all family members should check in with the pre-designated out-of-state contact You want to keep your cell phone charged as much as possible for emergency communications Save cell phones for emergency uses Turn off apps that aren't needed and eat up battery power If you have a solar or extra electrical battery charger use it sparingly, too You might want to refer to a local app or mobile website for emergency updates and information Some disasters will require evacuation of your home completely If this is the case, you will most likely find yourself staying with friends at a hotel or at a community shelter If there is time grab your go-kits before evacuating Depending on the situation you may need to provide your own food, water, entertainment for kids and other supplies while evacuated It's especially important to remember to grab any prescription medications and important paperwork However, depending on the disaster you may be able to stay at your home If this is the case, you'll need to find ways to make your home livable without the usual amenities In all but extreme cold weather you may be able to keep warm by simply conserving heat Close off all but one room of your home Place blankets on windows or clothes blinds and drapes to keep warm air in and reduce cold drafts Stuff towels or small blankets into window sills door frames and other areas where the heat is leaking out Place rugs or heavy blankets on the floor to add another layer of insulation But on sunny days let the sunshine in to provide solar heat Dress warm by wearing multiple layers Wear a hat as we lose body heat through our heads Also, keep warm blankets and sleeping bags available If you have no power most alternative heat sources will have an open flame These include wood stoves fireplaces and pellet stoves Take extreme caution to prevent a fire Remember to keep all flammable materials far away from the flames and keep a fire extinguisher close by Ventilation is also important to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide and smoke Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector with a battery or battery backup as part of your preparedness work No matter what alternative heat source you use always keep children and pets away and place the heater out of traffic areas If you haven't regularly cleaned or maintained your chimney you may not want to rely on your fireplace for heat Otherwise, whether you are using your fireplace or wood stove You'll need to have a supply of seasoned firewood or pellets for your pellet stove Do not burn green wood because it will produce creosote and a lot of smoke Fire starters like roll-up newspaper or commercial fire logs may be helpful in starting your fire Manufacturers produce several non-toxic fire starters Products such as nuggets pellets fire starting paste sticks Flint fire logs and instant fire starters will aid in building a fire Some fire starters will burn for up to 10 minutes and reach temperatures of more than 350 degrees Homemade fire starters can be made with drier lint paraffin wax pine cones dipped in candle wax and other materials Do not use liquid fuels like gasoline Kerosene or diesel to start your fire If using your fireplace keep the fire screen in place to prevent sparks and embers from escaping If your gas service is still available a gas fireplace is another option for emergency heat a Fresh air source is necessary to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the house Opening a window slightly will provide ventilation Kerosene oil and propane space heaters also require a source of fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide buildup Keep flammable materials away from the heaters and use the fuel your heater was designed to burn Only use those heaters designed for home use An electric space heater can be an effective heat source if you have an electricity source such as a generator Use the generator safely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust electric shock or electrocution and fire Keep the heater away from flammable materials and use newer models with underwriters laboratory labels That are thermostatically controlled and the proper size for the space you intend to heat Never leave an open fire or temporary heat source operating unattended or while you are sleeping If the disaster strikes during the summer or the disaster is a heat wave Keeping cool without air conditioning will be a challenge and hazardous to the health of those who are ill or older For some it may be necessary to seek shelter in a local cooling station or air-conditioned shelter To keep cool at home during the heat of the day keep shades curtains and drapes closed on the south and west sides of your house You might add insulating panels or reflective aluminum foil When it's cooler outside then inside usually at night open all the windows to let the house cool off The best option is to have a battery or solar powered fan If you have a generator use an electric fan if ice is available putting it in front of the fan will cool the air Once the ice has melted reuse the water so it isn't wasted Remember it may be cooler outside in the shade if you don't have a shady porch trees or other shade pull out your beach umbrella Another great way to cool off is to go swimming But if that's not an option neck coolers are a fun project that will help you feel more comfortable They are filled with moisture beads that when wet make your neck feel cool or just use a wet bandana Your family will require some basic necessities to survive a disaster Plan ahead to figure out how you will meet your water food and sanitation needs as soon as possible after disaster Water needs will vary depending on the number of people pets and your level of activity Recommendations are to have a minimum of one gallon per person per day for drinking and food preparation And one and a half to two gallons per person for sanitation, which includes brushing teeth bathing and washing dishes Water needs vary with activity level if you are physically active like clearing debris and cleaning up You'll need to drink more than the minimum to stay hydrated Also, remember to store water for your pets. Consider an extra gallon per day per pet Never ration your water drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow physical health requires your body to be adequately hydrated if Necessary minimize the amount of water your body needs by being inactive and staying cool Part of your liquid needs can come from canned fruit juices soft fruits and canned fruits and vegetables Remember to save and reuse the liquids from your canned fruits and vegetables in your cooking This will extend your water supply If water is limited an alcohol based sanitizer can be used to clean your hands However, soap and water remains the best option for washing hands since alcohol isn't efficient on soiled skin Portable water is water that can be consumed Non-portable water is water that has been contaminated to some degree that makes it unfit for drinking Some non-portable water can be purified to make it drinkable Do not purify water when it is dark has an odor has particles floating in it or is contaminated with chemicals like oil and gas Obey public announcements about whether your tap water is safe to drink or to use for cooking and bathing Shut off your incoming water valve if there are broken water or sewage lines in your area to stop contaminated water from entering your home If the water is unsafe use only bottled water or boil or disinfect your water for drinking cooking cleaning bathing washing dishes brushing your teeth and washing your hands if You have exhausted your stored water supply. It's a good idea to disinfect all water from other sources during a disaster Don't assume the water is safe If your local water supply is contaminated turn it off where it enters your house so the water in your house doesn't get contaminated You may have alternatives if your main water source is not available and you have used your stored water supplies These alternative sources should be purified to be safe To get water from your water heater turn off the power that heats the tank and let the tank cool Place a container under the tank and open the drain valve at the bottom Or start the water flowing by turning off the water intake valve and turning on a hot water faucet Sediment often settles in the bottom of the tank. So let it run a few minutes until the water runs clear Don't turn the tank back on until utility services have been restored The water in a toilet tank not the bowl is safe to drink unless chemical treatments have been added If your water supply was turned off at the street or where it enters your house There's water in the pipes that can come through the faucets Boil it just to be safe The ice in the freezer will eventually melt allowing to be used and also rainwater and water from coiled garden hoses can be used after it has been purified in An emergency underground water such as from wells or springs is less likely to be contaminated than surface water If underground water is unavailable you may use surface water from a creek river lake or pond Choose one in that order because running water usually is more pure than standing water If possible get the water upstream from inhabited areas and dip it from below the surface Purify all underground and surface water before using for drinking cooking or personal care No matter which of the following methods you use to purify your water First strain the water through a clean cloth coffee filter or paper towel into a clean container to remove any sediment or floating matter If you can the preferable method is to boil the water vigorously for at least one minute The water is ready to use after it cools To improve the taste add a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water or pour the water back and forth from one clean container to another several times If you're unable to boil your water purify with unscented liquid laundry bleach read the product label to find the percentage of chlorine Nearly all liquid chlorine bleach now is concentrated to 8.25 percent So use four drops per gallon for clean water and eight drops per gallon for cloudy water If the bottle of bleach is older than four months, it should not be used as a water purifying agent Also, do not use a swimming pool or hot tub chlorine Add the bleach to the water and stir or shake the container thoroughly. Let the water stand for 30 minutes If you can smell a slight chlorine odor, the water should be safe If you cannot smell a slight chlorine odor repeat the dosage and let the water stand for 15 more minutes before using it Another option is purification tablets that release chlorine or iodine Follow the package directions Usually one tablet is enough for one quart of water Double the dose for cloudy water Another purification method is tincture of iodine which is available at outdoor stores For clear water add five drops of iodine per quart of water for cloudy water add 10 drops of iodine per quart Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes. Then the water should be safe to use Commercial filtration systems that remove 99.9% of all contaminants from water are available So you might want to purchase one before a disaster These systems are available in a variety of individual or backpacking sizes and styles as well as larger cylinders for the kitchen During a power outage keep food safe in the refrigerator and freezer longer by opening them no more than once a day Maintain food quality in the fridge and freezer by placing ice or dry ice in the lowest possible area Then move the rest of the contents down to be near the ice Again, open the fridge and freezer as little as possible Add a dry ice only after the power has gone out Cook and eat any seafood immediately because it will thaw quickly Next cook and eat ground meat since it will thaw quicker than other cuts of meat Then plan menus around what foods are thawing thinner cuts of meat will thaw before thicker cuts Fruits and vegetables also will thaw quickly, but can be eaten as long as they're kept cold If food has been at a temperature of 40 degrees or higher for two hours or longer. It must be thrown out Food that still has ice crystals is safe to eat or refreeze though quality may suffer Throw out leftovers raw meats seafood and any kind of milk soft cheese and Refrigerator rolls that have been at over 40 degrees for two hours or more Do not taste food to determine its safety Temperature is the only reliable judge of safety in foods not taste or smell Remember you cannot cook the bad out of the food Without ice or dry ice highly perishable products such as milk soft cheese mayonnaise mayonnaise based salad dressings Meats and similar products have short non-refrigerated lifespans ketchup mustard pickles soy sauce and many other items usually stored in the fridge having much longer shelf life Toss anything that looks smells or feels odd If in doubt throw it out Also discard any food packaged in plastic paper cardboard or cloth that is water damaged Toss all cans that are open dented rusty damaged or bulging However, safe cans can be cleaned and disinfected if cans have been in contact with floodwater or other contaminants Remove the labels and use a permanent marker to immediately relabel each can Wash the cans in a strong detergent solution with a scrub brush to remove all silt Immersed the scrubbed containers for one minute in a lukewarm solution of two teaspoons of 8.25% chlorine bleach and one gallon of water Remove containers from the chlorine solution and allow them to air dry before opening Relabel with the permanent marker if necessary Use as soon as possible because the containers may rust See www.foodsafety.gov for more details Food and water must be safe, but so must the dishes and utensils that touch them First to save water scrape and wipe off food remnants from the dishes before washing Next scrub all surfaces dishes pots pans and utensils with warm soapy water Food particles and dirt can harbor germs so be sure to remove all food and dirt from kitchen surfaces and cookware Plain dish soap and water is best Then use warm running water to rinse away food particles dirt and soapy residue as you rinse away dirt and soap Germs also will be washed away Finally use a sanitizing agent like a chlorine bleach solution or an ammonia-based cleaner such as Lysol to sanitize For surfaces such as counters and cutting boards the bleach solution should be one teaspoon of 8.25% Bleach per quart of warm water in a spray bottle Allow the surfaces to air dry For dishes and utensils mix one tablespoon of 8.25% bleach into a gallon of warm water and allow them to soak for two minutes Then air dry This sanitizing step will help kill any germs that might remain on a clean surface If you lose power your family still needs to eat But by using some alternative cooking methods you can survive on cold meals for days Several cooking methods do not require electricity and some may already be available to you For instance, do you have a gas range? If so, check your manual for information on usage during power outages You may be able to manually ignite the pilot light However, make sure your gas lines have not been affected by the disaster Do you smell gas inside or outside your home? If so, you may have a gas leak Do not light the stove or even turn on lights or anything else that might spark Turn the gas off at the outdoor meter Do you have a wood burning stove? Consider cooking on top of the stove Unless it is designed as a wood-cooked stove Baking inside the box is not easy. However, you may be able to place sauce pans on top of the stove Also, depending on the design and surface area of your stove A metal box oven designed for camping may be used for baking Successful cooking on the surface of a wood stove takes practice due to the high and varying temperatures Using the fireplace is another option Heavy pans like cast iron work well for cooking in a fireplace Also, food can be wrapped in an aluminum foil Placed on skewers or set on a grill placed in the fireplace However, do not use your fireplace or wood stove for cooking if regular cleaning and maintenance has not occurred To do so is running a risk of causing a fire and or carbon monoxide poisoning A variety of canned heat can be used indoors with adequate ventilation The cans are filled with alcohol or gel and have a long shelf life They produce an open flame and enough heat to warm food but not boil it They are safe, lightweight and store easily Store away from heat sources and dispose of damaged or dented cans Biomass, debris, hobo or canned stoves utilize scraps of flammable materials such as twigs, bark, pine cones, wood and nut shells Debris stoves can create enough heat to reach the boiling point Many of these stoves include a battery-powered fan creating a forced ventilation system that provides intense heat and efficient burning An internet search will result in a variety of suppliers, producers and styles for these small efficient stoves You may wish to invest in a solar oven that captures the sun's rays to cook An internet search will reveal ovens you can purchase and plans for building them The solar oven can reach temperatures of more than 400 degrees They are portable, safe and easy to use They are most efficient on clear sunny days between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m So start cooking early enough in the day to ensure enough sunlight to finish the dish A thermal cooker retains heat already applied to the food and slowly finishes cooking Many households have an outdoor barbecue that could serve as the main cooking appliance while the power is out Remember to never use a charcoal grill in the house due to the release of carbon monoxide that could lead to asphyxiation Grills can be used for grilling food, cooking vegetables wrapped in foil and baking bread, rolls and even pizzas Some gas grills even have a side burner for extra versatility Remember to move the grill away from the side of the house due to fire risk Charcoal briquettes keep indefinitely if they stay dry Propane will store indefinitely, but the tank must be recertified Store tanks out of the sun and away from the house Fire pits are a popular addition to households and can be used like an open fire for Dutch oven type cooking There are several types of camp stoves that use a variety of fuel types that may also work for cooking food Check the manufacturer's recommendation on whether they must be used outdoors only Propane and charcoal stoves must be used outdoors only Since fuel resources may be limited during a disaster consider alternative ways of cooking that require less fuel A high quality stainless steel thermos can be used as a cooking vessel Preheat the thermos with boiling water Remove the water and quickly add the food Wheat, quinoa, oats, dehydrated soups and other dehydrated foods would work Then add the appropriate amount of boiling water Tighten the lid and let the thermos set for the time required to cook the food Insulated cooking utilizes the heat of the food being cooked to complete the cooking process Foods are heated to the boiling point and then quickly insulated inside a container such as a cooler Use thick layers of non-conducting cloth material, batting, newspapers, hay or straw This cooking method may require two to three times longer than simmering on the stove Without power you still have many food choices Use refrigerated foods first Next consider you're ready to eat foods such as cereal, boxed foods, peanut butter and canned foods that do not require cooking Keep a manual can opener on hand for an emergency Many dried foods such as nuts, fruits, jerky and vegetables are excellent consumed in their dried state Remember that water intake must increase if eating dehydrated foods Also using paper plates, cups, plastic utensils and paper towels can help with water conservation In a disaster practice good sanitation Creating and executing a good sanitation plan can help maintain good health and well-being Pull out your basic sanitation kit that includes toilet paper Sanitizing chemicals, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, disposable gloves, duct tape Plastic buckets with lids, feminine products and garbage bags A well thought out waste disposal plan is crucial to good sanitation Garbage may be managed by separating it into cans, glass, plastic, wet garbage and burnable items Keep a large number of garbage bags to help with separation and storage Shredded paper products, yard waste, kitchen scraps and cardboard can be composted Which is turning garbage into a rich soil loaded with nutrients that you can use for gardening Burning or burying waste is not preferable, but when necessary can be used to eliminate waste If not managed properly human waste becomes a source of odor and possible water contamination and illness If your power is out and you have a septic system a regular toilet may be flushed using a bucket of water Water that has been stored or even pool water will work for this as well Chemical toilets, composting toilets and trench or pit latrines are viable alternatives In a worst case scenario waste may be stored Be sure to have buckets with tight fitting lids for short term storage Cat litter may be used to reduce liquids and odor Human waste should not be thrown on bare ground Consider a location for toilet placement that will be convenient yet secluded If you cannot dispose of garbage properly Bury human waste and biodegradable garbage to avoid the spread of disease by rats and insects Dig a hole 12 to 18 inches deep and at least 50 feet But preferably 200 feet or more downhill and away from any water supply Fill the hole with the refuse and cover with dirt Each time the toilet is used some type of disinfectant should be sprinkled on top This may be chlorinated lime bleach or even some other disinfectants or plain baking soda Cat litter is also an absorbent material which absorbs liquids and smells in a portable toilet Remember to keep a closed toilet with some type of lid to prevent excess smell and spread of disease Stress the importance of keeping as clean as possible to your family members Washing hands frequently and using antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers will be needed Advise them to not ignore any cuts scrapes or sores and to use precaution when drinking and eating out of unclean or common containers After many major disasters ordinary sources of lighting may not be available Consider using alternative sources including a variety of flashlights headlamps Emergency candles lanterns solar lights and glow sticks When you purchase flashlights remember extra batteries Also consider those that don't require batteries such as the crank and shake models And choose those with led light bulbs that are brighter Have on hand one flashlight per person Solar powered lights are a necessity for extended power outages Many solar lights can produce light powerful enough to play games or read by Solar powered landscape lights are also useful While these will not generate as much light they can be used inside where low light is needed Such as illuminating the way to the bathroom or kitchen Remember to put them outside during the day to recharge Glow sticks also are useful for adding low levels of light Placing the stick in a clear container of water will reflect the light making the stick brighter and adding additional light These options are safer than open flames But if you must use an open flame be very careful Candles and lanterns should never be left unattended Place them in sturdy and properly operating holders All lighting sources should be placed where they will not be dropped or tipped over Causing damage to the device or allowing open flames to ignite your nearby objects Many people prefer to use an oil lamp rather than emergency candles Oil lamps are inexpensive but they always should be used with the chimney and placed on a solid surface The higher it is placed the wider the light is dispersed If you use a generator never operate it indoors or in partially closed areas such as a garage or porch Even if you think there's enough ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning Opening windows and doors will not prevent carbon monoxide from building to a dangerous levels Place the generator outdoors and away from windows doors and vents where CO gas can enter the home Keep the generator dry do not expose it to rain or place it on a wet surface Operated on a dry surface under an open canopy light cover If anyone in the area where a generator is being used develops a headache lethargy Weakness nausea or muscle aches get medical help immediately To reduce the risk of electrical shock dry your hands before touching the generator Plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty extension cord that is rated for outdoor use Make sure the extension cord is also rated in watts or amps to at least equal to the sum of the connected load Be sure the cord has no cuts or tears and that the plug has three prongs with a grounding pin Never plug the generator into a wall outlet in a house or other circuit This could electrocute utility workers or neighbors who might be servicing the electrical system Keep generator fuel out of the home and away from fuel burning appliances Turn off the generator and let it cool before refueling A fuel spiel on hot engine parts could cause a fire Always keep a fire extinguisher near the generator Never attempt to repair a generator Only a qualified technician should perform repairs Do not remove or tamper with safety devices Do not touch hot engine parts and keep children away from the generator and the fuel containers The sooner you start the recovery process the sooner you can get back to normal As soon as possible after disaster Contact your insurance company to get the process started and to see what information they will need to process your claim Take photos of the damage to your home and other property for your insurance company and possibly FEMA And take an inventory of what has been damaged You should also start to locate and gather important documents that you will need during the recovery process Hopefully you'll never have a disaster that leaves you and your family on your own But with this information you should be able to meet your basic family needs for communication Shelter water food sanitation and supplies Hopefully you've prepared for all of these in advance of a disaster Even if you have there is still a degree of flexibility required Remember to be resourceful and safe to help you survive a disaster