| "body"> | | | | water in your home include the water from your |
| Nothing makes clearer the importance of water | | | | hot water tank, the water from your toilet tank |
| than a large disaster; clean, fresh water becomes | | | | (not the bowl, but the water from your tank, but |
| more valuable than gold. It's easy to forget that | | | | if it is chemical-free), and water trapped in your |
| without water, we just can't survive. 60 percent | | | | water pipes. Melt any ice cubes that you may |
| of our bodies are water, in fact for infants, water | | | | have stored. |
| makes up about 80 percent of their body, so it is | | | | Avoid using water from waterbeds as drinking |
| even more vital they have access to clean | | | | water, since they are treated with chemicals |
| drinking water. | | | | unsafe for drinking. You can use waterbed water |
| Unfortunately, following large-scale disasters, it's | | | | for washing, though. Outside your home try to |
| not unusual that water supplies may be cut off | | | | locate streams, rivers, lakes, or other sources of |
| temporarily or be rendered unfit for consumption. | | | | fresh water. Never drink floodwater; it is usually |
| Everyone should know the following tips about | | | | contaminated with bacteria and chemicals. Do |
| safe drinking water in emergency situations. | | | | save rainwater that may fall for drinking. |
| Preparedness is Everything: The advice comes | | | | Purifying Water in an Emergency: If you cannot |
| over and over, but most people still are not ready | | | | locating safe drinking water during an emergency, |
| when disaster hits. You must maintain a supply of | | | | then any water you find that does not look clear, |
| clean drinking water someplace safe in your home. | | | | or which you believe may be contaminated, |
| You can survive a week without food, if | | | | should be purified before drinking. |
| necessary, but even one or two days without | | | | The best and easiest way to purify water is by |
| water can be fatal. | | | | boiling. Disease-bearing microorganisms cannot |
| In terms of how much water is needed to be | | | | survive in high temperatures. Boil the water for |
| stored, you need to drink at least two quarts a | | | | about one minute. For improved taste, pour the |
| day of water. Enough water for all the members | | | | water back and forth from one clean container to |
| of your family for at least a few days is a good | | | | another. |
| idea. You can store water yourself in your own | | | | If you're unable to boil your water, treat it |
| containers; anything glass, and clean, thoroughly | | | | chemically before drinking. Household chlorine |
| washed plastic containers with caps work well. | | | | bleach can be used to treat your water. Use an |
| Seal water tightly in their containers and store | | | | eyedropper, to drop eight drops of bleach into |
| them in someplace cool and dark in your home. | | | | each gallon of water to be treated. Make sure the |
| Make sure to change new water regularly; once | | | | chlorine you use lists hypochlorite as its only |
| every six months. | | | | active ingredient; any extra chemicals or |
| Finding Safe Drinking Water: If you do run out of | | | | fragrances will only further contaminate the |
| water during an emergency, or are trapped | | | | water. Stir the water and allow it to stand at least |
| somewhere without ready access to clean | | | | 30 minutes. When the water appears clear, it is |
| drinking water, you'll need to know what's safe to | | | | likely safe to drink. If it is still murky or clouded, |
| drink, and what isn't. | | | | put in eight more drops and let stand another 30 |
| After a disaster, possible sources of safe drinking | | | | minutes. |