1.7 Sanitation and Hygiene
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| Systems | Stuff |
|---|---|
| Handwashing, toilets, showers | |
| Identify places for public access to safe sanitation and hygiene. Create a directory of local public buildings with bathrooms, sinks and/or showers
that could be made available to disaster survivors and volunteers.
Include handwashing plans in all volunteer work. Provide soap!
Include a bathroom / sanitation plans in response efforts.
Share models for safe sanitation with impacted households, especially those that are
more remote and can't travel to public restrooms.
Remind everyone interacting with mucking and grey water to wash their hands BEFORE and
AFTER going to the bathroom.
Safe sanitation when there is not running water or septic requires a plan to remove and treat waste
Establish a safe dumping area at least 50 ft from any wells or waterways, ideally lined
or contained to promote thermodynamic composting (heat) and reduce spreading.
Establish a designated area for emergency toilets with handwashing.
| DIY handwashing station Use clean water (from a hose), but not potable water when possible
Make small holes in the lid of a plastic drink bottle and squeeze the bottle to dispense
water.
Purchase water containers with a side spigot, or build them.
DIY toilets
For short-term use, all you need is a bucket with a lid and dry material like sawdust,
wood shavings or wood chips. Or, build a composting toilet box.
Stock with period products and toilet paper
DIY showers
Use a 5 gallon bucket and a scoop (smaller bucket or empty yogurt container) to pour
water over your head in your current shower/tub. If indoor options are not available,
designate a well-draining, firm surface for outdoor showering. Provide privacy using a
tarp, sheet, etc.
There are many outdoor gear/camp shower options for purchase
After flooding, rivers and lakes may not be safe to swim in. When it is safe, use
biodegradable soap if washing in freshwater.
|
| Laundry | |
| Identify places for public, low-cost and preferably free access to do laundry Create a directory of households, businesses and public spaces with washers and
dryers
Contact local churches and other orgs to set up free laundry services. Example
here.
|
Washers/dryers
Manual wash systems - Wash tub
Detergent
Clothesline and pins or dry rack
Laundry baskets/bags
Portable laundry trailers
Off grid hand powered or low voltage (solar power) wash systems
|