You can prevent illness by washing your hands often; before eating, after using the bathroom, after you change a diaper, and any other time you may need to freshen up. Since water is such a precious commodity during an emergency, you should remember to prioritize the use of purified drinking water. You may want to use it first for drinking, cooking, washing dishes and then for other purposes.
Be organized and choose a designated bathing area. If you wash in a river or stream use biodegradable soap and always be aware of others who may be downstream.With a little soap you can also wash yourself in the rain. Other washing alternatives include moist towelettes, a spray bottle, sanitizing lotions, or a wet washcloth. Be sure to wear shoes to prevent parasitic infections and to protect yourself from cuts and puncture wounds that can easily become infected.
4 comments
Anonymous
We (our immediate family) practice emergency scenarios when camping. We prioritize and try to reuse water as often as possible: 1) clean water —> drinking, dishes, etc. 2) dish water —> washing hands, etc. 3)2nd-use water —> putting out the campfire, etc. Sometimes there are other steps in between, but you get the general idea. Recently, the four of us went through one 5-gallon container of purified water for an entire weekend of camping.
The Jeffery Family
Water was an invaluable resource when we went through a hurricane with a nursing infant.
Stephanie House
These are definitely things I need to keep on hand when stocking up on extra supplies. We always think about food but forget about the other items…good things to think about.
katherine
The moist towelettes are great for disaster prep and for camping. I'm not willing to haul water for washing up very often, but want to feel clean after a day in the outdoors. A quick wipe down with the towelettes is a great refresher and cleaner and no extra water to haul.