Water 101: Tips for Using Water During an Emergency
Think of all the ways you use water every day. You drink it. You
bathe with it. You use it to brush your teeth and wash your hands. You
cook and clean with it. What would you do if you suddenly couldn’t
access clean drinking water during an emergency? Now’s the best time to
ensure you have enough water for your entire family. Here’s how to
store, use, and even boil water with a solar powered generator and other essential survival gear.
How Much Water Should You Store?
You should have at least 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day.
Then, keep another 1/2 gallon per person on hand for cleaning and
hygiene purposes. It’s always better to have more than enough water than
not enough in an emergency. Keep a 3-day water supply as a bare
minimum. It’s even better to use water bricks to have 2 weeks’ worth of water or more.
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Water Bricks |
Water Storage Tips
You’ll want to store water in different-sized containers in a cool,
dark place. Filter your water before you store it out of sunlight.
Sunlight can cause bacteria and algae to grow in water. You also want to
ensure that your water does not freeze, as frozen water can lead to
broken containers. Be sure to label your stored water with the date you
filled them so you know when to replace your water supply.
You’ll want to replace your water supply regularly. Different storage
methods have different shelf lives. Clear plastic water bottles have a
2-year shelf life. Hard plastic bottles that hold 3-5 gallons typically
have a 5-year shelf life. Clear plastic jugs are usually not recommended
since they can easily break down.
How to Boil Water in an Emergency
Tap water might be unsafe to drink during or after an emergency. Boiling your water using power from a portable solar generator
can get rid of harmful bacteria in the water. You can also get a
designated solar-powered water heater that will heat water with the
power of the sun. These tools allow you to make tasty food with clean
water without flames or electricity.
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Portable Solar Generator |
How to Make Your Water Supply Last
You know that emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye. The last
thing you want to do is run out of your water supply. An emergency can
have you sheltering in place for much longer than you anticipated.
Ensure your water supply lasts with these tips:
- Fill your bathtub with water so you have an additional water source.
- You can use a water pump to extract water if you can access an outside water source.
- Stock up on disposable plates, cups, and utensils so you don’t have to do dishes.
- Bathe with a cloth to conserve water rather than taking baths or showers.
Stocking up on enough water and using your emergency water supply wisely ensures you don’t run out. You never know when a hurricane or tornado could leave you stuck at home for days. Stay prepared, and enjoy peace of mind.
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Portable Solar Generator |
About 4Patriots
You
never know when an emergency will strike. It could be a flood or a
wildfire. You could be at home or at work. Are your go-bags ready? Do
you have enough food and clean water stockpiled? Prepare for any
situation with high-quality survival gear and online classes from
4Patriots. Their emergency food kits can help keep your family fed.
Their water bricks can help keep you hydrated. A solar-powered generator
can keep your refrigerator running in a blackout. This family-founded
company makes delicious survival food and supplies you can count on.
Best of all, their reliable survival gear gives you peace of mind. You
can’t predict when an emergency will happen next, but you can be
prepared for it with help from 4Patriots.
Stock up on clean, cool drinking water for you and your family at https://4patriots.com/