Preparing your water supply should be one of the first things to get together. Our local water supply was down for 5 days during Katrina. People were lined up for over an hour to receive two gallons of water. You should be prepared for one gallon of water per person, per day. However, for cooking and cleaning purposes, I would suggest two gallons per person per day. A two week supply on hand at all times would be best. More if you have to room.
Milk jugs are a great way to store water. Clean them thoroughly first. Start saving them now. Once filled store them in a cool dark place. Rotate them every six months for safety using the old water for flushing the toilet.
Remember, if it is extremely hot outside you will need to drink more water than normal.
You can invest in a rain barrel. I have found them as cheap as $65. However, if you live in a dry area, I would not count on this for your main water supply. The water from them can be used for washing and flushing toilets.
You can buy rain barrels at many stores. Our local Tractor Supply had them on sale last week.
Remember Prepare Now.
We lived in Palm Beach when three hurricanes virtually in a row hit. We were prepared, but not prepared enough. We ended up being w/o electric for 21 days! Luckily, we did have water, but it was only cold. I have never loved a working water heater like I did once our electric came back on. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're right though, water's one of the most important things to have in storage for an emergency.
You are so right! During Katrina I remember those cold showers once we had water again. That was miserable!
Deletedoesn't water go bad after so long? I wanna get some water purifying tablets!
ReplyDeleteI would love to know this answer, too! Great reminders, though.
DeleteI have some water, but I can see it's not enough. I'm glad Colorado doesn't get hurricanes.
ReplyDeleteslehan at juno dot com
I so need to do this! I love those rain barrels!
ReplyDeleteThe rain barrels are a great idea! Water is such a precious commodity during any emergency. And very true that keeping stored supplies regularly updated is also important.
ReplyDeleteI live in the desert so water is extremely imporatNT
ReplyDeleteI really should check out the rain barrels
ReplyDeleteI live in Florida, so having water stocked up is definitely a necessity.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have rain barrels but we do restock large water jugs as the expiration dates approach. Luckily there have been very few instances here in Maryland that we've needed a large supply of water to tide us over.
ReplyDeleteI want to get a rain barrel, because it would help water my plants. This is on my to do list.
ReplyDeleteI live in Wisconsin & we get our water from a well. When the electricity goes out so does our water...no showers, no drinking water, no toilet!!! Having extra water is always a good idea. You may not live in a hurricane or tornado or flood area, but most of us have trees near power lines and when a wind storm or snow storm comes those branches can knock out power for hours & sometimes days.
ReplyDelete