I EMERGENCY SANITATION EVACUATION After a major disaster, if water and sewage lines have been disrupted you may need to improvise emergency sanitation facilities. Supplies Always have basic sanitation supplies on hand • Medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid • Household chlorine bleach • Toilet paper • Plastic garbage bags and ties (heavy duty) • Soap, liquid detergent • Towelettes Sanitation Build a makeshift toilet • If sewage lines are broken but the toilet bowl is usable, place a garbage bag inside the bowl. • If the toilet is completely backed up, make your own: • Line a medium sized bucket with a garbage bag. • Make a toilet seat out of two boards place parallel to each other across the bucket. An old toilet seat will also work. Sanitize Waste • After each use, pour a disinfectant such as bleach into the container. This will help avoid infection and stop the spread of disease. • Cover the container tightly WHEN NOT IN USE. Waste Disposal • Bury garbage and human waste to avoid the spread of disease by rats and insects. • Dig a pit 2-to-3 feet deep and at least 50 feet downhill or away from any well, spring or water supply. • If the garbage cannot be buried immediately, strain any liquids into the emergency toilet. • Wrap the residue in several layers of newspapers and store it in a large can with a tight-fitting lid. • Place the can outside until it can be buried. Several types of disasters may force you to be evacuated from your home. If you are told to evacuate, take the following steps: • Listen carefully to instructions given by local officials. Evacuate immediately if told to do so. • If you have time, grab your portable disaster (72-hour) kit. Make sure that you include any last-minute items, such as prescription medication, that you may need. • Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. • Lock your home. • Use travel routes outlined by local officials. Do not take short cuts; they may be unsafe. • Keep fuel in your car if evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies. If you go to a shelter, notify staff of any special needs you may have. They will try to accommodate you and make you comfortable. Be prepared to leave your home if: • Your area is without electrical power or water for an extended period of time. • There is a chemical emergency affecting your area. • Flood water is rising. • A wild land fire is burning near your home. • Your home has been severely damaged. • Local officials tell you to evacuate. Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. 12 13