Water is THE most important thing you need if services are disrupted. It's also one of the the most taken for granted supplies we have have. We're so used to turning on the tap and getting as much as we need that we don't think about what happens when the tap goes dry or gets contaminated and becomes undrinkable.
Even though you'd be miserable, you can survive for weeks without food. Without water on the other hand, you can go about 3 days. After 24 hours you're going to be miserable. After 48 hours you're going to be in pain. After 72 hours you're going to be in really bad shape.
To start your emergency stock pile, get some water the next time you're at the grocery store. The general rule of thumb is 1 gallon per person, per day. For under $5 you can grab 3 one gallon jugs and you're now already more ahead of the game than most people.
You should also grab a case of individual bottles. These are great for throwing into a backpack in case you have to leave the house. I also keep a case of individual bottles in my car in case I get stuck away from home.
If you live with roommates, you should talk to them and see if they'd like to pitch in on the water supply since they'll need some too. Consider getting a few 2.5 gallon jugs if you live with multiple people. They're cheap, especially if you can find them on sale.
1 Gallon Per Person, Per Day Rule
1 gallon may seem like a lot of water to drink in a day but if the tap is out, you'll need it. Your 1 gallon can be used towards lots of things such as cooking, cleaning, and brushing your teeth. In an emergency, you may also be more active than you normally are which means you'll need to consume more water to keep hydrated.
Cycle Through Your Water
Bottled water doesn't last as long as packs of "emergency water" but it's way cheaper. Despite whatever expiration date on the bottle, I like to use mine within 1 year of purchase or the flavor starts tasting bad. Write the date of purchase on your bottles with a permanent marker and after 1 year, use the water and buy a fresh stock.
Fill the Tub
If there's a really bad earthquake that does a lot of damage to the area but your home is in tact and safe, fill up the bath tub with water. Your water might be working for the moment but it might not last. You might only be able to get what's left in your hot water heater. If you don't have a tub, fill up whatever containers you might have. Even if the water is contaminated and not drinkable you can use it to flush the toilet in the event that water services are disrupted.
Recommended Items to Purchase
- Three 1 gallon jugs of water for your home
- Case of bottled water for your home
- Case of bottled water for your car
Total Cost: < $10
No comments:
Post a Comment