Preparing For a Pandemic Outbreak

Throughout history there have been a number of major pandemics; in fact, almost every recorded civilization has been affected by these outbreaks. From smallpox and tuberculosis to the Bubonic Plague and major flu outbreaks, pandemics are a very real concern, even in our modern age of medicine.
Over the last couple hundred years, hundreds of millions of people have died as the result of pandemic outbreaks. Here are a couple of the big ones that have hit during recent times.

History of Pandemics – Major Recent Pandemics

1918 Flu Pandemic – The Spanish Flu
The Flu Pandemic of 1918 is perhaps one of the most recent, and deadly contagions to hit North America. In March 1918, an extremely deadly form of the flu virus broke out in a US military camp in Kansas. Within 6 months the virus had spread throughout the world, infecting 40% of the worldwide population and killing an estimated 50 million people.
In the United States, nearly 675,000 people died during the pandemic outbreak. Of those that died, most were healthy adults; in fact, the highest casualty rates came among those in the 20 – 50 year old age group. To this day researchers are not sure why that age group was affected, as these type of outbreaks usually affect older and younger age groups.
Recently, scientists have begun work to bring back the 1918 flu virus, which was found preserved in the permafrost of Alaska. They hope to study the virus to prevent future outbreaks, but some wonder if they are playing with fire by even attempting to resurrect this deadly contagion.
Third Pandemic
The Third Pandemic, caused by the Bubonic Plague, started in 1855 and was not fully contained until 1959. It’s thought that the pandemic may have been spread through transporting infected people, rats, and cargo harboring fleas through ocean-going trade. The pandemic later took on pneumonic characteristics and began spreading from person to person.
While the secondary strain was largely confined to Asia, it’s estimated that some 12 million people throughout the world eventually died as a result of the Third Pandemic. It’s thought that the Third Pandemic may have been the root cause of the San Francisco plague of 1900–1904, which was the first recorded Pandemic to hit the United States.
Cholera Outbreaks
During the 19^th century, Cholera outbreaks were responsible for killing tens of millions of people throughout the world. Worldwide, it still affects 3–5 million people every year and is responsible for somewhere around 100,000–130,000 deaths a year
Smallpox
Smallpox is a highly contagious disease that is estimated to have killed 300–500 million people during the 20^th century. Although the disease was successfully eradicated in 1979, a few recent cases have popped up, most notably one in a research laboratory that was responsible for smallpox research.
Since that incident, the World Health Organization has recommended the destruction of all remaining lab samples of the virus, to date that has not been done.

Dangers of a Pandemic Outbreak in Today’s Society

Ask most researchers and they will tell you that it’s not a matter of if, but when. Jason Tetro, a microbiologist with the Emerging Pathogens Research Centre and the Centre for Research on Environmental Microbiology told us, “I believe that the world is becoming increasingly more likely to see a major event.  It’s a process that is highly predictable.”
He went on to say, a pandemic outbreak in today’s world would likely travel much quicker, and could cause far more deaths than previous pandemics. Tetro said “When one thinks that almost 100 years ago, when we had the 1918 pandemic, it could take months to circumnavigate the globe.  Today, it can be accomplished in a day.  Moreover, with more individuals traveling than ever before, the opportunity for a pandemic strain to spread is greater than it has ever been.”

How Real is the Threat?

This is a subject that we have covered on multiple occasions, primarily because it’s one of the most likely, and based on past experiences, expectable disasters that our civilization will face. If history teaches us anything, it should show us how dangerous and real this threat is to our future.
Like Jason Petro told us, today’s world is prime for a pandemic. The way we live, travel, and buy our food makes us more susceptible to pandemics than any time during the history of mankind.  Remember it’s not if it will happen; it’s when.

What would a Worldwide Pandemic look like?

Based on past pandemics, we know that millions upon millions of deaths is a real possibility. With the advent of modern technology and travel, that number will likely be much higher than anything we’ve ever seen.
Places in this world that were once remote, and removed from the rest of the world, are now only a plane trip away. Areas in the world, like third world nations where these diseases still exist, are now contacted more than ever before. The fact is, it’s only a matter of time before a pandemic sweeps across the globe.
During the 1918 flu pandemic over 500 million were infected, it’s estimated that 50 million of them died. Even in areas where mortality rates were low, the population was still severely affected.  Hospitals were overwhelmed, schools were shut down, stores closed for weeks, and people had to make do with what they had.
Sadly, today’s technology has actually left the world much more unprepared for a pandemic outbreak. Without people to work, protect, and maintain our antiquated infrastructure you will quickly see the system shut down.
From utilities and municipal water supplies, to food delivery systems and commerce, our system needs people to maintain this incredibly complex system we’ve grown dependent on. As people start to become ill, our system will quickly become overwhelmed. If we’re not prepared to deal with that, the consequences of an infrastructure shut down might kill more people than the actual illness.

What can you do you do to protect yourself?

Preparing for the possibility of a Pandemic Outbreak is similar to the preparations one would make for any disaster that would leave you without adequate food and water supplies, or access to emergency services for an extended period of time.
I suggest taking the following steps:
Start Stockpiling Supplies
The first thing you need to do, is make sure you have your essential needs covered. In the case of a pandemic, the essentials include water, shelter, food, sanitation, medications, and personal security.  During a Pandemic, the less contact you have with others, the better your chances are of staying healthy.
Previous pandemics have gone through communities in a matter of six to eight weeks; at a minimum, you should have at least a six to eight weeks’ worth of emergency supplies on hand at all times. Once you have that covered, you can then set a goal to stockpile enough for 3, 6 and then 12 months.
Social Distancing is the Key to Avoiding the Outbreak: The best way to improve your chances of staying healthy during an outbreak is to practice social distancing. This means limiting your contact with others, and staying at least 6 feet away from people if you do have to go out.
Stay Clean & Practice Good Hygiene: Just like with all person to person disease, the key to prevention lies in good hygiene. Hand washing is obvious, and when used for 30 seconds even a simple alcohol based hand sanitizer, that has between 62 and 75% ethanol, can be enough to kill pretty much any pandemic pathogen.
Hospitals & Shelters Should Be Avoided: If you’re sick, then by all means you probably need to consult with a medical professional for medical advice. That being said, hospitals will be ground zero in the war and should be avoided if at all possible. Also, if you can, avoid shelters or areas where large groups of people gather, as disease spreads more quickly in those environments.
When venturing Out, Where a Mask: In my opinion, masks are really a last resort and cannot be relied on to 100% stop infection. Respirators are designed to help reduce exposures to infection.

Here are some items you might want to have on hand:

Protective Full-Body Tyvek Hazmat Cleanup Kit
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/mold-cleanup-and-remediation-kit-full-face-and-body-protection.html

Deluxe 1 Person Protective Kit
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/deluxe-1-person-protective-kit.html

10 Pack WaterBrick Water Storage 3.5 Gallon Tan
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/10-pack-of-waterbrick-standard-3-5-gallon-tan.html


Wise Company 3 Month Food Supply (3 Servings/Day)
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/3-months-supply-3-servings-day.html
 
Guardian 4 Person Elite Survival Kit
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/4-person-elite-survival-kit.html

10000/8500 Watt Portable Quiet 16 HP Gas Generator w ELECTRIC START
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/10000-8500-watt-portable-quiet-16-hp-gas-generator-w-electric-start.html

  
4 Shelf First Aid Cabinet
http://reliantsurvivalgear.com/4-shelf-first-aid-cabinet.html

This is just a small list of a few things you might want to start stockpiling.

When a pandemic breaks out, people will start acting differently. Normal behavior will go out the window and people's survival instincts will kick in. Stealing and fighting for supplies of food and water will be the norm. Your personal stockpile and protection will be key for your families survival. It is true that this might not happen, but if it does, don't you want to be prepared for you and your families survival?

We carry those items listed above and many more. Visit us and browse through the entire site. Start putting a plan together now before it is to late.

Thanks for reading,
Stephen Moss
Owner
Reliant Survival Gear

Are You Thinking About Starting an Emergency Plan?

If you’re just starting to create an emergency preparation plan and gather supplies, it can seem overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start, how much to store and what kind of emergencies to prepare for. Some of our favorite TV shows, like Doomsday Preppers and Doomsday Castle, feature people who dedicate a significant portion of their time and finances to being prepared for anything. We can learn a lot from dedicated preppers; however, you don’t necessarily need to invest in a bunker to be prepared for many emergencies!

Ensuring you have enough supplies to get you through a short-term emergency doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, we have several ready-made kits designed just for this purpose. These kits contain water, basic supplies for hygiene and first aid, basic supplies for staying warm and keeping dry, food bars and other items (depending on which one you choose), all in a lightweight backpack. Our emergency survival kits are suitable for families, kids going to college (or graduating from college), couples who are starting a new life together, and even senior citizens who want to remain independent. (We love giving these handy survival kits as graduation and wedding presents because it’s likely to be one of the most useful gifts in the pile.

Everybody is on a budget, and it’s easy to put off buying emergency supplies when there’s not an emergency. Our survival kits start at just $38.99 per person. Kids going off to college can stash these backpacks in their cars or dorm rooms, they’re the perfect size to stow in a boat or RV and there are enough supplies to last for five days. That’s pretty cheap for peace of mind.

Once you have the basic supplies to get through a short-term emergency, you can take a little more time to build a supply stash for longer-term emergencies. One of the best ways to do this is to watch for our periodic sales on freeze-dried and dehydrated meal kits that can be safely stored for up to 25 years. Our kits contain from one month to a full year of meals for
one person or an entire family.





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Some Items In Your Emergancy Kit Might Be Expired!

Remember the emergency kit you bought years ago?  Perhaps long enough ago that you aren't sure exactly what year you did buy it in?  Is it possible that it has been four or five years or more since you bought it?  Have you looked through it since?  If you had to use it today, would all of the supplies still be within their use by dates?  Would all of the supplies function fully?
Every emergency kit expires. At Reliant Survival Gear you can find all of the individual items that should be replaced as well as full kits. Our products range from the smallest survival kits to last for a couple hours during a blackout, to long-term living off the grid food packages. We have very specific disaster kits, to full preparedness packages that prepare you for anything that might come your way. We have packages that stay in your vehicle to keep you covered on the road and even specific packages to cover your pets. We also carry a great selection of First Aid cabinets. 

Here a list of common items that are found in most emergency kits with their typical expirations:

 
Light sticks - 5 years (older versions used to be only 4 years)

 

Emergency water - (the kind in packets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard) - 5 years
 

Emergency Food - (again the U.S. Coast Guard approved type) - 5 years




 


 

Batteries- most now at least 7 years


 

First aid - some components are up to 2 years while others are indefinite






Things can and will happen. Whether it's a tornado, flood, snow, draught, volcano, earthquake, or any variety of natural disasters. Even the possibility of terrorism and potential economic collapse, all these could affect your way of life. Are you prepared? It's more important than ever to be prepared. FEMA's disaster preparedness guidelines for your family have changed from 72 hours worth of food and water to several weeks to 1 month or more of food and water. If you don't think you need 1 month of food and water, I do recommend that you at least have a 72 hr. plan in place for you and your family.
 Please take a look through the entire website and see all the great products offered. If you are having trouble deciding on what you want, or what you think you should have to keep your family, friends and co-workers safe in the event of a disaster, please do not hesitate to call us. We will walk through with you what you are trying to accomplish and make suggestions to help you prepare!

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Pledge to Prepare; and Why!

Reliant Survival Gear

Yesterday, I spoke with a gentleman in New York who tried to educate me on preparedness. He mentioned so many different concerns, many of which were legitimate and some were just out there. With so much going on in our Nation and throughout the world at large, it’s tough to ignore so much writing on the wall.
Now, let’s take that conversation into context: What if nothing happens? That’s exactly the question I’ll ask you. You, the prepared individual.

You, the prepper who purchases food to have in the event your employment situation loses its revenue temporarily, or a minor movement of the earth closes local markets and grocers. You, the healthy student of nutrition. You, the responsible parent who works to provide the necessities of life for your children and grandchildren and works to secure those ongoing needs. You, the involved citizen who talks with your neighbors and cares about the safety of your neighborhood. You, the owner of a vehicle who pays auto insurance for security against an undesired vehicular event. You, the purchaser of health insurance for a family whose health is fundamental and essential. You, the ardent securer of water storage, just in case another 5-day boil-water-alert happens this month. You, the consumer who also produces constructively while others are socially-secure thanks to your payroll contributions. You, whose money is lent to banks whose bail-outs secured enormous pensions. You, whose income tax returns without interest.
What if not one thing happens this year to drastically- or even minimally- inconvenience your lifestyle?
In the event that your storage of food, water, medical, and other resources remains unmoved out of necessity, then count yourself fortunate. This is what we hope for, although we’d be willfully ignorant to discredit the vulnerabilities of our current environments, local and global!

If your application of primitive or pioneer skills finds use within recreational or standard homestead practices instead of emergent necessity, then continue enjoying their practice in peace. Please carry on and experience the following in your endeavors to be self-reliant:

• the joy of cultivating your plants and harvesting the literal fruits (& vegetables) of your labor
• the satisfaction of knowing basic skills to make many of the leisurely staples such as flour, pasta noodles, sausage, buttermilk, cheese, bread, and so much more
• the stewardship of slaughter & butchery
• the responsible care and maintenance of firearms and useful weapons/tools
• the autonomy of filtering and purifying water for all-things-related to its supply and use
• the comfort of attending to basic medical issues, affording you the avoidance of over-crowded emergency waiting rooms, and unnecessary exposure to other contagious pathogens
• the peace of mind that your food is not unnaturally grown and crammed into compact living conditions
• the security that comes with protection against a failing economy and currency, through precious metals
• the integrity of enjoying life’s experience as a perpetual learner, an ever-studious pupil
• the unmatched fulfillment which attends precious family moments of teaching, learning, and sharing
• the limitless advantages of perpetual personal progress
  

Natural disasters are going to happen as part of life. Adverse events are somewhat out of our control, so we prepare for those things which we can control: having something rather than having nothing. Knowing-by-doing rather than not knowing and doing nothing.
And if nothing happens, we have the satisfaction of having prepared for when it does.

Every year people are affected by disasters. Lives are lost, property is destroyed and personal effects lost to the unforgiving aftermath of both natural and man-made disasters. The saddest part of such devastation is that most of it could have been averted with the proper preparation. Being prepared does not mean that one won't incur any loss, however, if one prepares properly, it can save lives, homes and personal affects. Proper preparation can also make recovery and dealing with insurance companies and government entities exponentially easier.

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Evacuating Yourself and Your Family

Prepare now in the event of an evacuation.
Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Fires and floods cause evacuations most frequently across the U.S. and almost every year, people along coastlines evacuate as hurricanes approach. In addition, hundreds of times a year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing many people to leave their homes.
In some circumstances, local officials decide that the hazards are serious and require mandatory evacuations. In others, evacuations are advised or households decide to evacuate to avoid situations they believe are potentially dangerous. When community evacuations become necessary local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens, text alerts, emails or telephone calls are used.
The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is essential.
Plan how you will assemble your family and supplies and anticipate where you will go for different situations. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency and know the evacuation routes to get to those destinations.

• Evacuation Guidelines

There may be conditions under which you will decide to get away or there may be situations when you are ordered to leave. Follow these guidelines for evacuation:

• Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. Use the Family Emergency Plan to decide these locations before a disaster.
• If you have a car, keep a full tank of gas in it if an evacuation seems likely. Keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case of an unexpected need to evacuate. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump gas during power outages. Plan to take one car per family to reduce congestion and delay.
• Become familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency.
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked.
• Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.
• If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Make arrangements with family, friends or your local government.
• Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
• Listen to a battery-powered radio and follow local evacuation instructions.
• Take your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
  

If time allows:

• Call or email the out-of-state contact in your family communications plan. Tell them where you are going.
• Secure your home by closing and locking doors and windows.
• Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, televisions and small appliances. Leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a risk of flooding. If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so, shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.
• Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.
• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provides some protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a cap.
• Check with neighbors who may need a ride.

How much food should I store for an emergency?

This is a question my friends and customers of Reliant Survival Gear ask all the time and in light of the disasters of 2013, I’ve changed how I answer. First, you will want to carefully determine your calorie needs as you make your emergency plan. The next step is to consider what kind of emergencies are most likely to happen in your area and what other kind of emergencies you want to prepare for. Current Red Cross guidelines advise people to store at least three days of non-perishable food and water, and this is been their longtime standard. FEMA guidelines are one week bare minimum to one month or more.

Short Emergencies: Minimum Recommendations

In the last couple of years there have been many instances of unexpected, prolonged power outages and water supply contamination, that I encourage people to store at least seven days of food and water for each family member and pet (please don’t forget to plan for your pets; many of our customers who have survived outages and disasters say they now keep a month supply of canned or dry food and necessary medications in reserve).
Though it’s hard for most of us to believe in the modern era, severe weather can cause outages of a week or more, and it’s happened quite frequently in the very recent past. Whichever brands and types of food you store should be shelf-stable, packaged in waterproof containers, nutritious and shouldn’t require cooking. That’s a pretty short list of food, and you’re going to get sick of peanut butter and canned tuna really fast if you don’t investigate other options. Our Wise Company ready-to-eat freeze-dried meals offer variety, a long shelf life, and can even be prepared with cold water.

Will you be a Good Samaritan?
Most people are inclined to help their neighbors. People will share whatever they have to help others come through an emergency. If you’ll be checking on neighbors, especially elderly neighbors or others who may be more at risk, we recommend storing enough food for at least one “extra” family member. The same goes for pets. So many of my friends report sharing their pet’s food with displaced animals or their neighbors’ pets in an emergency that I recommend keeping a little extra on hand. Many people feel a moral obligation to help others, but there is good psychology behind it. In disaster most of us want to do something. It gives us a sense of control and boosts our optimism. Sharing food is an easy way to contribute.

Long-term Emergencies and Life Changes

Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy drove home the fact that some disasters are so massive it can take more than a week for emergency responders to reach hard-hit areas, and it can take months for even basic supply chains to recover. If you are in an urban area or a high-risk geographic zone, we recommend you store one to three months of food and invest in a high quality water purifier. Of course, individuals and families who store six months or more of food safety have a significantly higher peace of mind that they will be able to endure any emergency.
The last scenario to consider is how would you and your family survive if our society was disrupted by a war or a pandemic? There are a lot of interesting TV shows based on these futuristic scenarios, but you don’t have to look far back in history to see that it’s actually happened more than once. In his book The Great Influenza, John Barry details how history’s most lethal influenza virus swept the globe killing 100 million people in less than six weeks. The book outlines a chain of events that we would likely see repeated, even with advanced modern medicine and technology. When a virus is able to mutate and spread so quickly, emergency response networks are quickly overwhelmed, hospitals are filled, and society as we know it can change overnight.

I am not an alarmists, but I am a realist. If you’re concerned about these kinds of scenarios, It is recommended you store a years worth of food for each member of your family. Our dehydrated meals have up to a 25-year shelf life, so you don’t have to worry about rotating food or your investment spoiling. And, a year’s worth of food is an important safety net as you establish a self-sustaining food production cycle.

I have some excellent videos on my site that show you how Wise Company food products are made, packaged and show the actual food and preparation. They are at the top of each "Wise Company Food Storage" page. I recommend watching these videos first, this will help you decide which Wise products will be best for you and your family. And after that, you can start down the path of food prepping you and your family for either short term or long term disasters. Another thing to remember is that preparing for disasters is not something that you just buy some things and your done. It is strongly recommended to buy some basic necessities first, and then little by little add to your plan. Make it a small part of your monthly budget and do this year round. Get the kids involved, it will teach them the importance of planning ahead, and I have found that they really enjoy this activity as well.
"It's Responsible to be Prepared!"
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Storing Water for Survival Situations

Get your WaterBrick's Here

How Much Water Do I Need?

Minimum: 1 Gallon of Water per Person per  Day

A normally active person needs at least one gallon of water daily just for drinking.  However, individual needs vary depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.

For a typical family of four, a two week supply of water

would require 56 gallons of water minimum.

According to FamilySurvivalPlanning.com, "In addition to drinking water, you will need 1/2 gallon per person per day for other uses, such as brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc. So 1 gallon per person per day is the bare minimum. On a regular day, you may wash several gallons of water down the drain as you rinse the dinner dishes. In an emergency situation, you will have to keep a watchful eye on the amount used for those purposes. A wet cloth wipe-up may be all your dishes get.

 

One gallon per person per day is a good general starting amount, but you may need more than that. Take into consideration the specific needs of your family.

• If the majority of your storage foods are dry or dehydrated, you'll need more water for preparation of those foods.
• Do you have pets? If so, you'll need to plan additional water for them.
• Do you have a baby in your house? How much water do you need for preparing formula or baby food? Since babies sometimes spit up and make messes, you'll need sufficient water to clean up.
• Active teenagers usually drink more liquids than adults. Make sure to store plenty of water for active teens.
• Is any member of your family an invalid or chronically ill? Do they have an increased need for water to take medications or for personal care?
• Do you live in an area where extreme heat is a regular occurrence? Everyone will need more water if that is your situation.
• Are you accustomed to drinking more water for good health? If so, cutting back drastically, especially in a time of crisis, could be very difficult physically."

 

How Should I Store Water?

It is recommended you purchase food grade water storage containers from Reliant Survival Gear to use for water storage.

Preparing Containers:

Before filling with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water and rinse completely so there is no residual soap.  Sanitize the containers by adding a solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Mix the sanitizing solution in the container so that it touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the sanitizing solution with clean water.

Filling Water Containers:

• Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. (If your water utility company treats your tap water with chlorine, you do not need to add anything else to the water to keep it  clean.)

If the water you are using comes from a well or water source

that is not treated with chlorine, add two drops of non-scented

liquid household chlorine bleach to each gallon of water.

• Tightly close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate the cap by touching the inside of it with your fingers. Write the date on the outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a cool, dark place.
• Replace the water every six months if not using commercially bottled water or a water preserver.

What are some Water Sources?

Unsafe Sources:

• Radiators or hot water boilers (home heating systems)
• Water from the toilet bowl or flush tank
• Water beds - Fungicides added to the water or chemicals in the vinyl may make the water unsafe to use.
• Swimming pools and spas - Chemicals used to kill germs are too concentrated for safe drinking but can be used for personal hygiene, cleaning and other related uses.

 

Emergency Outdoor Water Sources:

If you need to find water outside your home, you can use these sources.  Containers like WaterBrick allow you to easily and more efficiently collect water from these outdoor sources.  Be sure to treat the outdoor water before drinking it.

• Rainwater
• Streams, rivers, and other moving bodies of water
• Ponds and lakes
• Natural springs

Avoid water with floating material, an odor, or dark color.

Use saltwater only if you distill it first.

You should never drink flood water.

---

 

How Do I Treat the Water? 

If you have used all of your stored water and there are no other reliable clean water sources, it may become necessary in an emergency situation to treat suspicious water. Treat all water of uncertain quality before using it for drinking, food washing or preparation, washing dishes, brushing teeth or making ice.

In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain microorganisms (germs)that cause diseases such as dysentery,  cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. There are many ways to treat water. None is perfect. Often the best solution is a combination of methods. Make sure you have the necessary materials in your disaster supplies kit for the chosen water treatment method. Before treating, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom or strain them through coffee filters or layers of clean cloth. Water Filters:

There are many water filters that can be used in combination with water containers like WaterBrick.

Water Treatment Preservers:

Water Preserver - Treats 50-55 gallons of water. EPA approved.  The water will remain crisp and fresh for up to 5 years. No need to rotate the stored water every 6 months if a water treatment preserver is added.

Water Purification Tablets:

Water purification tablets. They are effervescent tablets which kill micro-organisms in water to prevent cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other water borne diseases. Treat the water when you use it! No need to rotate stored water.

 

 

 

For other information on water treatment methods, go to page 11 of  FEMA's Food and Water in an Emergency Brochure here.

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