HANDWASHING & SANITATION DURING AN EMERGENCY
MARCH 2021
WHY IS HANDWASHING IMPORTANT?
A Neighborhood Emergency Team (NET) online training on sanitation happily titled, “You Survive the Earthquake But Die of Dysentery,” was presented by a Portland NET member and physician who began, “Those involved with sanitation following a catastrophic event will be more likely to save more lives than the rescue and medical team.” That got our attention. Why is this true? Dysentery and other diseases are caused by infectious germs in the digestive tract and can create severe dehydration and electrolyte loss which can become life threatening. The body is trying to naturally eliminate what doesn’t belong there, but when people are living in close quarters, without toilets, and water is a precious commodity, infectious risk is high, typically about the 4th day after a disaster. It’s easy to minimize this risk . . .
The “5 F” routes for fecal-oral contamination and the preventative measures are:
- Fingers: wash hands
- Flies: close latrines and buckets, keep flies away from food
- Fields: bury human waste deep if the ground is used for disposal
- Fluids: do not dispose of waste near water or the water table
- Food: wash hands before cooking, wash dishes, and keep flies away
Maintaining sanitation requires that handwashing stations be set up near toilets and cooking areas.
- Following a disaster it will be too late to purchase or make handwashing stations.
- Many are easy to construct with readily available materials, aren’t costly, and limit water waste.
- Hand washing stations considerations:
- Water storage is good in a 4-7 gallon size.
- Foot operation is more sanitary than using a hand operated spigot because there is less risk of contamination.
- Use gravel at the base for drainage.
- Less waste means less frequent refilling.
- Prices: DIY for under $8 each; purchase for $80-120. Either way, they must be available before they are needed
HOW TO MAKE HANDWASHING STATIONS
- See the presenter, Merilee Karr, MD, in this new video:
https://www.instructables.com/Easy-Build-Handwashing-Station-With-Videos/
- Next, connect with your neighbors to get materials in quantity. Make it a neighborhood project to build handwashing stations. They’re easy to assemble and easily stored for later use but can also be used for outdoor parties and camping.
Nancy Hiser
Linnton NET
503-713-3468
nancyhiser@comcast.net