Recent news about swine flu made me realize that we had not rotated our emergency water supply recently. So, this past weekend, with the weather forecast calling for 90 degree heat we invited grandchildren over for some Slip ‘N Slide.
The water came from the 55-gallon water barrels that make up our emergency water supply. Experts say you should replace stored tap water every six months – we were only about 18 months past due. And rather than pouring it down the drain, doesn’t letting grandkids enjoy it sound like a whole lot more fun?
Water is an important part of being prepared for emergencies – you can live a lot longer without food than without water. There is a detailed publication called Food and Water in an Emergency on the FEMA website with information about storing water. Or, for a simpler version of that information, go the Provident Living website. That website also has a Family Home Storage pamphlet in many languages.
Ready.gov (the U.S. government’s emergency preparedness website) says you should have at least three gallons of drinking water stored for each family member. That gives you a three-day supply. The three-day supply, I suppose, is based on an assumption that it would take that long for the government to begin providing emergency help in a disaster. You may remember the pictures of trucks filled with bottled water from FEMA after Katrina. It’s even better if you have a two-week supply (14 gallons for each person).
We were lucky to get our barrels free from a Pepsi bottling plant – in fact, the syrup taste is still there. You can get water barrels from many places. Amazon.com has some for $127.99 – though I’m confused about the shipping costs (which seems to be more than the price of the barrel itself).
Emergency Essentials in Orem, Utah has 55-gallon water barrels that cost just $79.95 – and shipping is just $9.00 (or $12 when you order two or more). [Disclaimer: I have no interest in the company.]
For more information on emergency preparedness, check out that Ready.gov website. You will find, for those who want a lot of information, a 204-page Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. For those seeking something less imposing, check out Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Kit and a Family Emergency Plan. The Family Emergency Plan includes some ‘cards’ you can fill out with emergency contact information and then have each family member carry with them.
If you go to the site’s list of publications, you’ll also see other documents you can download. These include everything from an activity book for kids to brochures on emergency preparedness for the elderly, for those with disabilities and for pet owners. There are also materials targeted at businesses.
No matter how little you do, any preparation for emergencies is better than none at all.
Sphere: Related ContentRelated articles from WalterBristow.com:
Loading ...
