Disaster Hygiene – The Forgotten Prep – How To Prepare?

Disaster hygiene and sanitation are indeed one of the most overlooked aspects of emergency preparedness.

Food, water, and shelter get the spotlight, but poor hygiene quickly leads to disease outbreaks (e.g., diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid) that can be far more dangerous than the initial disaster, especially when medical services are strained or unavailable.

Proper planning keeps you and your family healthy, maintains morale, and prevents secondary disasters from contamination.

Core Principles

• Prioritize handwashing: This is the #1 defense. Use soap and water whenever possible. Hand sanitizer (≥60% alcohol) is a backup but less effective on dirty/greasy hands.
• Separate human waste (urine vs. feces) where possible to reduce odor, volume, and pathogens.
• Contain, remove, and reduce waste to avoid attracting pests and spreading germs.
• Conserve water but don’t skip hygiene—use wipes, sponge baths, or minimal water methods.
• Stock for at least 1–3 months (or more for long-term events) and rotate supplies.
• Practice now: Test setups during camping trips.

Hygiene Kit Essentials (Bug-Out Bag + Home Storage)

Build a dedicated hygiene/sanitation kit. Store in buckets for easy access and dual use.

Personal Hygiene:

• Bar soap (or Campsuds/biodegradable), hand sanitizer, baby wipes/wet wipes (multi-use for body cleaning).
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss.
• Deodorant, lip balm, comb/brush, nail clippers, razor.
• Towels/washcloths (quick-dry or microfiber), sponge for baths.
• Feminine hygiene products (pads, tampons, menstrual cup), diapers (disposable + extras for infants/elderly).
• Sunscreen, bug spray, lip balm with SPF.

Sanitation Supplies:

• Heavy-duty trash bags (contractor bags, 3–5 mil), zip ties, duct tape.
• Toilet paper (or alternatives like tablets, leaves in a pinch; stock RV-safe TP).
• Portable bidet or peri bottle (water-efficient cleaning).
• Disposable gloves, face masks.
• Disinfectant (unscented bleach for surfaces—never mix with ammonia from waste), paper towels.
• Kitty litter, sawdust, wood shavings, or peat moss (for covering waste).

Cleaning/Laundry:

• Laundry soap (bars or powder), bleach, baking soda/vinegar.
• Buckets or wash basin for hand-washing clothes/dishes.
• Garbage management tools (shovel for burial, fire-starting for burning safe trash).

Add to 72-hour kits, vehicle kits, and work/school bags. Include a privacy shelter (tarp, blankets, or portable screen).

Water for Hygiene

• Store extra water beyond drinking needs (1+ gallon/person/day for hygiene).
• Hand-washing station: Jug with spigot + catch basin/bucket + soap + paper towels. Place near toilet and food prep areas.
• Sponge baths or wipe-downs conserve water. Sun-warm water in black containers/bottles.
• Treat all questionable water (boil, filters, chemicals) before use for teeth, washing, etc.

Waste Management (The Big One)

Twin-Bucket Toilet System (highly recommended, cheap, effective):

• Two 5-gallon buckets: One for urine (#1), one for feces (#2).
• Line poo bucket with heavy trash bag. Add seat/lid (camping style or pool noodle hack).
• Use: Pee in urine bucket (empty/dilute on ground away from water sources). For poo, cover with ~½ cup absorbent material (sawdust, kitty litter) after each use to control odor/flies.
• Dispose: Store bagged waste securely until services resume; bury in latrine (6–8″ deep, 100+ ft from water) if rural; never dump in waterways.

Alternatives:

• Existing toilet with water in bowl + trash bag liner (for short-term).
• Cat holes (for bugging out): Dig 6–8″ deep, cover thoroughly.
• Composting toilet (longer-term home solution).
• Outhouse/latrine for groups.

Trash:

• Contain in bags, store away from living areas.
• Reduce by burning (safely, with PPE) or reusing/composting organics.
• Avoid attracting rodents/flies.

Special Considerations:

• Infants/Elderly/Mobility Issues: Extra diapers, elevated seats, assistance plans.
• Pets: Separate waste handling.
• Post-flood/earthquake: Shut off water/sewer if damaged; follow local guidance.

Additional Tips

• Mental/Comfort: Cleanliness boosts morale. Brush teeth daily to avoid dental emergencies.
• Laundry/Dishes: Hand-wash in buckets; air-dry in sun (natural disinfectant).
• Storage & Rotation: Use buckets to store supplies. Check expiration dates (wipes, sanitizer, TP).
• Learning Resources: CDC guides on handwashing/sanitation, FEMA kits, local emergency plans. Practice with family.
• Budget Start: Many items are already in your home. Focus on buckets, bags, soap, TP, and wipes first.

Hygiene preps are low-cost, high-impact. Start small, build your kit, and test it. In a real disaster, staying clean could save lives more reliably than many other supplies.

As Always, Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.