1Cope with power loss
2Use food sensibly
3Keep up morale
POST-DISASTER SURVIVAL
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LOOKING AFTER YOUR FAMILY
1Cope with power loss
• You may have to cope without supplies of gas and electricity for a period of time, particularly if the disaster has been serious enough to affect the local infrastructure.
• Use flashlights or candles at night, but conserve supplies by using them only if absolutely necessary.
• If you have a working hearth and chimney, forage for wood to burn, but be aware of the danger of chimney fires in a dirty chimney.
2Use food sensibly
• Without electricity to power refrigerators and freezers, chilled or frozen foods will become inedible.
• In order to conserve the cold air inside, avoid opening fridge and freezer doors.
• A fully stocked, well-insulated freezer should keep foods frozen for at least 3 days, so use supplies from the fridge first. Only foods that do not require cooking will be usable, unless you have a camping stove.
• Once you have finished these supplies, eat canned and dried foods.
3Keep up morale
• The aftermath of a major natural disaster will be a difficult period. Family members or friends may be unaccounted for, you may have to cope with injuries, and there will almost certainly be damage and suffering all around.
• Help your family remain positive and keep them focused on the issue of survival. Keep busy and try to work together as a team, making sure that you discuss all plans.
• Reassure young children that you have survived and that the worst is over. Keep them entertained to distract them.
• Bear in mind the comfort factor of food. In a time of great stress and upheaval, a familiar food or drink can be very reassuring.
PURIFYING WATER
If water supplies run low and main water is contaminated, you will have to purify water.
• If you can see particles floating in water, strain it through some paper towels then boil it, add
purifying tablets, or disinfect it.
• Boil some water for 10 minutes to purify it, then allow it to cool before drinking.
• Use chlorine-based tablets to purify water.
• To disinfect water, use regular household bleach containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite
only. A stronger percentage is dangerous.
• Add two drops of bleach to 1 pt( 500 ml) of water, stir and leave it to stand for 30 minutes.
The water should smell slightly of bleach. If it does not, repeat the process and leave the water to stand for 15 minutes more.