- Food
In our 'just-in-time' economy, where supermarkets rely on daily truck deliveries to keep the shelves stacked, it is likely that food and other consumables will run out early in a pandemic. It is prudent to stock up on non-perishable foodstuffs, well in advance. Bear in mind that it is possible your electricity supply may fail or become unreliable too. Hoping to live out of the freezer therefore, is not serious planning!
Starting now, begin 'over shopping' in preparation. Buy a few extra goods, which you can be stored for a long time, when you next go grocery shopping. Examples are:
- Tinned fruit and vegetables
- Tinned beans and pulses
- Tinned and packet soups
- Tinned meat and fish
- Dried pastas
- Rice
- Dried 'mashed' potato
- Salt
- UHT 'longlife' milk
- Tea and coffee
- Multi-vitamin tablets
Remember to also 'over shop' for formula or baby food if you have infants.
Rotate your stock by ensuring that the newest tins are put at the back of the cupboard and the oldest consumed next.
If you have pets, consider how much they eat normally, if it is a small amount then 'over shop' for them too. If you would normally feed your larger dogs tinned meat and feel that a suitable supply would occupy too much room, consider buying an extra large sack of dry dog food 'in case of emergency'.
Water
It only takes a few days to die from lack of drinking water and drinking dirty water can be deadly. During a pandemic, it is possible that the water utilities may be unable to supply your home or business with water or sewage services. The ability to repair water services may also be affected.
You should aim to lay in store at least 4 litres (a gallon) of bottled water, per person, per day. You will have to be the best judge of how long the water supply may be affected in your locality.
If you run out of water, details about purifying water can be found next
Locating Safe Drinking Water
After a disaster, it is possible that water supplies will be temporarily cut off or become contaminated. Because you must have water to survive, it is important to know how to locate and purify drinking water to make it safe.
Water Sources
In the home. Melt ice cubes, and use water from the hot-water cylinder, the toilet cistern (not the bowl) and water pipes.
Hot water cylinder. Turn off the power that heats it, and let the cylinder cool. Then place a container underneath and open the drain valve at the bottom of the cistern. Don't turn the cylinder on again until water services are restored.
Toilet cistern. The water in the tank (not the bowl) is safe to drink unless chemical treatments have been added.
Water pipes. Release air pressure into the plumbing system by turning on the highest tap in the house. Then drain the water from the lowest tap.
Outside the home. Rain water, spring water, and water from streams, river, lakes, and coiled garden hoses can be used after it is purified.
Water Beds
Avoid water from water beds as a source for drinking water. Pesticidal chemicals are in the plastic casing of the bed and chemicals have probably been added to the water to prevent the growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria. The water is safe only for hand-washing and laundering.
Purifying Water
Boiling and chemical sterilization are two ways to purify water.
Any water that is obtained from sources outside the home or water that does not appear clear should be sterilized. Non-sterilized water may be contaminated with the parasite Giardia.
Straining water. Strain water containing sediment or floating material through a cloth or paper filter before beginning the purification process.
- Heat sterilization. Boiling water is the preferred method of purification because disease-causing- microorganisms cannot survive the intense heat. Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Pour the water back and forth from one clean container to another to improve the taste. Adding a pinch of salt could also help.
- Chemical sterilization. In some situations, boiling may not be an option. The alternative is to treat the water chemically. Plain household chlorine bleach may be used. Be sure the label states that hypochlorite is the only active ingredient. Bleach containing soap or fragrances is not acceptable. With an eye dropper, add 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water (16 if the water is cloudy), stir and let stand. After 30 minutes the water should taste and smell of chlorine. At this time it can be used. If the taste and smell (and appearance in the case of cloudy water) has not changed, add another dose and let stand. If after one half hour the water does not have a chlorine smell, do not use it.
Containers
Store the water in a clean and sanitary glass or plastic container. Plastic containers are good because they are lightweight and unbreakable. Metal containers should be considered as a last resort because they may corrode and give water an unpleasant taste.
Water that local officials report has been contaminated with toxic chemicals or radioactive materials cannot be purified using home decontamination methods.
Facts About Water
Water is the single most abundant substance in the human body, making up to 60 percent of an adult's weight and up to 80 percent of an infant's weight. A person can live several days without food, but just a few days without water. It is second only to air in importance to life.
Because water is so important to human survival, never ration it. Drink at least 4 pints per day, as long as supplies last, and look for alternative sources.
- Essential basics
Assess your household's needs in the event that all your utilities were to fail. Could you survive? Do you have an independent heater – one which doesn't require gas or mains electricity? What about lighting, does your torch even work?
These are the absolute bare essentials in any family home. If you do not have any of these, buy them now before the pandemic starts.
- A gas/battery lantern and spare gas/batteries
- A gas heater with a full bottle of gas, Super ser type
- A torch and spare bulbs and batteries
- Matches or a lighter
- Candles, tea lights, Tilley lantern
- Fly spray
- Tin opener
- Battery powered radio or wind up
- Spare batteries
- rubbish bags
- Bleach (unscented, basic)
- First Aid kit
First Aid
During a pandemic, the local health system is likely to be overwhelmed very quickly.
Your government may decide that it would be better if you stayed at home if infected.
Localized quarantines may also be put into effect, limiting your ability to travel (whether you are infected or not).
The Government may also decide to cancel hospital admissions, other than those required to treat flu patients. If you have a family member requiring regular medication, it will be vital that you have the ability to treat any ongoing medical needs your family may have during a pandemic. Ask your doctor for a personal stockpile of any regular medication you may require.
Even if your family does not have any diabetics or asthma complaints for instance, it is a good idea to maintain a first aid box so that you can provide first aid during the crisis.
First aid and disaster kits are available online from St John supplies, or you can make your own from the items shown.
Prevention and treatment
The best method of preventing the spread of the virus is to practice good cough etiquette, repeated hand washing, and maintaining your distance from other people. Complete isolation is likely to be impossible, particularly in urban environments, so you may also consider purchasing the following:
- A box of non-sterile disposable PVC gloves
- P2/N95 masks If available, Antiviral tablets (Tamiflu)