Hat Tip:
Original post by
ItsADisaster over at: American Preppers Network:
Sanitation Tips
* Link Unavailable. This site is no longer active and available to view on line. But the info was good and we wanted to keep sharing it!
In disaster situations, plumbing may not be usable due to broken sewer or water lines, flooding, or freezing of the system. To avoid the spread of disease, it is critical that human waste be handled in a sanitary manner!
Did you know…
…one gram (0.035 oz) of human feces can contain 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts, and 100 parasite eggs!?
If toilet okay but lines are not…
If water or sewer lines are damaged but toilet is still intact, you should line the toilet bowl with a plastic bag to collect waste… but DO NOT flush the toilet!! After use, add a small amount of disinfectant to bag, remove and seal bag (with a twist tie if reusing), and place bag in a tightly covered container away from people to reduce smell.
If toilet is unusable…
If toilet is destroyed, a plastic bag in a bucket may be substituted. (Some companies make plastic buckets with a seat and/or snap-on lid.) You could also use the toilet seat from a commode and lay it on top of a bucket for a more comfortable experience. (Tip from Whisper: separate lid from seat and set aside so you can lay seat on it when changing out bag.) After use, add a small amount of disinfectant to the bag, and seal or cover bucket.
Disinfectants - easy and effective for home use in Sanitation of Human Waste.
Chlorine Bleach - If water is available, a solution of 1 part liquid household bleach to 10 parts water is best. DO NOT use dry bleach since it can burn you, corrode or dissolve things so not safe for this kind of use.
Calcium hypochlorite - (e.g. HTH, etc.) Available in swimming pool supply or hardware stores and several large discount stores. It can be used in solution by mixing, then storing. Follow directions on the package.
Portable toilet chemicals - These come in both liquid and dry formulas and are available at recreational vehicle (RV) supply stores. Use according to package directions. These chemicals are designed especially for toilets that are not connected to sewer lines.
Powdered, chlorinated lime - Available at some building supply stores. It can be used dry and be sure to get chlorinated lime - not quick lime.
Some other alternatives are kitty litter, sawdust, etc. There are also several types of camping toilets and portable toilets that range from fairly low dollars to hundreds of dollars.
Make sure toilet is near the air-exhaust end of the shelter and keep it tightly covered when not in use. Cover with a plastic bag too to keep bugs out and help reduce smell a bit. And consider hanging a sheet or blanket in toilet area for some privacy, if possible.
Also (if possible) consider digging a waste-disposal pit about 3 feet downwind from shelter if hunkered down for weeks.
(Note, if sheltering during a nuclear event, esp if fallout surrounding shelter, do NOT expose yourself to lethal radiation by digging holes to bury waste. Just pile bags several feet away from shelter and decontaminate yourself before reentering shelter.)
Puking will also be an issue. Anxiety, a change in diet, and the sight and smell of puke and poop may make others throw up. (And if a nuke event, radiation sickness can cause puking and diarrhea.) Plastic bags, placed throughout a shelter, are the best means to catch puke and keep it off the floor. Buckets, pots, or a newspaper folded into a cone also work.
Germs and diseases can create major problems and illness in confined quarters so
try to reduce the spread of germs and infectious diseases…
- Wash hands often using soap and water or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol in it) to reduce the spread of germs. But keep in mind sanitizers don't work against some bugs so it's best to wash up, if possible.
- Try to avoid exposure to others' bodily fluids like blood, pee, poop, spittle, etc.
- Sick people should cover mouth and nose with tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, wash hands often, and wear a face mask around others (if very ill).
- Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered until healed.
- Clean counters, doorknobs, fixtures, linens, etc. often with a bleach solution.
- If possible, don't share silverware, razors, towels, or bedding and wash objects with soap and hot water.
Some sanitation items for kits…
- Disinfectant for human waste
(see above)
- Bottles of household chlorine bleach (regular scent)
- Personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste or baking soda, brush, comb, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, etc.)
- Plastic garbage bags with twist ties and small plastic grocery bags
- Plastic bucket with tight lid (several would be wise)
- Soap, liquid detergent, hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol), moist towelettes or sanitizing wipes, hydrogen peroxide, etc.
- Toilet paper and baby wipes
- Feminine supplies (tampons, pads, etc.)
- Diapers (infant, toddler and adult sizes if needed)
- Disposable gloves
- Wash cloths, hand and bath towels
- Small shovel
(Above extracted from our IT'S A DISASTER! book. Proceeds benefit APN.)
There are other items to consider but again, these are just some basic tips to plan for dealing with human waste and cooties during shelter-in-place situations. -snip-
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Added:
I'm a bonehead .. forgot to post some poop & puke related first aid items to consider stashing in shelter too. Hopefully most of these are already in your kits but ... Bentonite clay, activated charcoal, antacids, anti-diarrhea meds, laxatives (doubt anyone will need these but ya never know), diatomaceous earth, MMS (for parasites, etc), a slew of vi-tees & herbs (esp immune stimulator types), etc. Also .. a few items for your bum include hydrocortisone cream / gel (cream is more um, soothing and less messy / sticky), he-mee cream / ointment, and diaper rash cream for the little ones. Sure there's more I'm forgetting...
I see something else .. paper towels!! (duh - this is why I shouldn't post things at night)