During an emergency, it is important to your survival to keep yourself healthy. The best way to maintain health is to keep yourself and your living area clean and sanitary. Poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions can cause sickness. Replaceing ways to maintain normalcy during an emergency will help reduce mental and physical strain and having freshly brushed teeth and clean hair can go a long way to boost morale.
Family Sanitation Kit
Sanitation items are easy to gather. There may already be some necessary items for grooming and sanitation in your emergency kit. You can also purchase a pre-assembled sanitation kit which is an inexpensive and convenient way to prepare what you'll need during an emergency.
Another option is assembling your own emergency sanitation kit so you can choose brands or items your family is accustomed to using. Often, you can purchase your favorite brand of soap, toothpaste, shampoo, toilet paper, deodorant and other items in bulk so you can set some aside for your emergency kit. You may also be able to buy these items in more convenient travel sizes.
Check your emergency kit to see if you already have some necessary items for grooming and sanitation. If you want to create your own sanitation and hygiene kit, here are some areas that you might want to consider:
• Toilet Paper: When it comes to emergencies, any kind of toilet paper is a luxury. By preparing ahead of time, and stocking your favorite brand, you can insure that you don't experience unnecessary discomfort. Also, keep in mind that it is possible for those in emergency situations to develop stress and diet related stomach problems that can intensify your sanitation difficulties.
• Toothbrush: People with sensitive teeth may want to store their preferred brand of toothbrush in their emergency kit. It is a wise idea to store several toothbrushes to give away to someone who neglected to store any. It may also have another useful purpose such as cleaning or scrubbing.
Fresh & Go Toothbrush
• Toothpaste, mouthwash, and breath fresheners: Emergencies present stressful situations where human communication is crucial. Sometimes water is scarce or unavailable which causes dryness in your mouth. A breath freshener may be a nice addition to your preparedness supplies.
• Feminine Hygiene Products: It is important to be prepared in all areas. These items are important to have available in any emergency situation. They can also be helpful tools for a variety of first aid needs.
• Deodorant: With several choices of deodorants, you may want to decide ahead of time what you'll need during an emergency. Air fresheners or deodorants may also increase your level of comfort during an emergency.
• Hair Supplies: Shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, combs, brushes, and other items may not be necessary for survival, but they can help make an emergency situation more comfortable and clean.
Be sure to store smaller sanitation items in your emergency kit and be aware that you can over stuff your emergency kit. If it is too heavy, you may not be able to leave with it during an emergency.
11 comments
Anonymous
I am new to this blog. For most of my life I have had 'be prepared' mentality. While talking with one of my brothers about things I have been setting aside, he chuckled when I explained in addition to various food & water, I had gathered enough toothpaste and brushes for at least a year for our family. I feel vindicated. Thank you. For me, brushing my teeth first thing in the morning just sets the day off on the right foot.
Gofergal
I found this post helpful. I realize that I need to focus on the sanitation portion of preparedness as well as the food portion.
Thanks,
Debi
I found this post helpful. I have concentrated on the food portion and have decided I need to focus a little more on the sanitation portion.
thanks for the info.
chris
so many people overlook this part of emergency preparedness.we buy hygiene items and food items at the same time to put in our emergency stores.
Megan
I have a baby, so I need to customize the sanitation kit we have. It may be less cost effective, but the travel-size containers are my friend. I really like the Johnson and Johnson baby travel pack. It contains tiny bottles of baby shampoo, desitin, powder, wash and lotion. get a travel pack of wipes and diapers, and you're set!
bridgetandsam
We've been putting a sanitary kit together along with our 72 hr kits. I found that toilet paper rolls seem to take up a lot of space. So we found at Walmart in their camping section "roll-less rolls". They come in a pack of 3 with a water proof container. It keeps everything nice and neat with alot less space. I keep these in our vehicles, hunting packs, and camp trailer. So much nicer!
LAURA
I made a sanitation kit like this with all reusable/washable item s including pads and tampons. But I like these items that if I dont have water, to clean the reusable, I can just trash them.
Audrey @ Tight Wad in Utah
This is great! I've been thinking of getting a sanitation kit started!
Francie Mccall
In Emergency keep yourself healthy tips you given is really important to all. Healthy Life is good for all.
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Hi. Great post. My friends referred your blogs to me. It looks like everyone knows about it, just not me, until now. Definetely will read your other posts, too. Thank you for sharing with us. Take care.
joe
Only on survival blogs do you hear someone say that toilet paper is a luxury. :)
It's true though. When you run out, it's good to have a list of substitutes – including wash clothes, leaves, etc.
Joe