A Tornado Safety Review And How To Store Water In Long-term Storage Containers
We have two segments today.
First,
In respect to the recent outbreaks of tornadoes across Oklahoma and Kansas up through the Midwest to Michigan and Ohio, we are going to briefly review our Tornado safety plan.
Second,
We are seeing a lot of questions and discussion on long-term water storage, especially what type of container to use.
Most of us don't have enough stored for a long term event, and we may not know the best storage methods, so we are going to discuss water storage containers on today's episode.
SEGMENT 1
Tornado Safety Plan
Have at least two ways of receiving warnings, and don't depend on the outdoor sirens.
When there is a warning, respect the polygon and take action.
Get in your safe place and stay until the threat has passed.
Items to have:
Each person should have a helmet for tornado safety. A bike helmet, baseball helmet, football helmet, on a motorcycle helmet will work well.
Each person should be fully clothed and have on sturdy shoes. You may have to walk out on debris from roofs or broken glass.
Have a way to receive information. FM radio or TV work well if you can listen to the local news station.
Have at least a minimal first aid kit to treat any injuries before help arrives.
Have a whistle or canned air horn for signaling rescuers.
Having water and snacks in your safe area is good for prolonged warnings.
Two-way radios are good if you know how to use them.
The goal is to live through it. We can deal with the aftermath later.
SEGMENT 2
Safe Water Storage:
Safe water storage is crucial. We can't live long without it.
We need clean, uncontaminated water for drinking and for cooking.
The following are several types of safe water storage containers for prepping:
Food-Grade Plastic Containers:
Look for containers made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
These materials are less likely to leach harmful chemicals into the water.
Containers labeled with a recycling code of "1," "2," "4," or "5" are generally considered safe for water storage.
Water Storage Barrels:
Typically made from food-grade HDPE, these barrels can hold 15 to 55 gallons or more.
Ensure they have tight-sealing lids to prevent contamination.
Always store them in a cool, dry location, away from direct sunlight.
Water Bricks and Stackable Containers:
These are smaller, stackable plastic containers that can hold 3 to 7 gallons of water.
The stackable design is convenient for compact storage.
Water Jugs and Bottles:
Commercially available water jugs (like those used in water coolers) are generally safe for storage.
Reusable water bottles made from food-grade materials are suitable for shorter-term storage or portability.
Collapsible Water Containers:
Made from durable, food-grade plastic, they are foldable for easy storage, and good to use for transporting water.
Glass jars:
Glass jars can be used to store water. Some canners say that you should not have empty jars just taking up space. They say that you should have water stored in them and that you can empty them when they are needed for canning. It’s not a bad idea, and give you some more water stored.
The Upside: No chance of contamination leaching into the water.
The Downside: Takes four quarts per person per day.
Need lots of storage space for adequate water storage and they are breakable.
Stainless Steel Containers:
These are excellent for smaller quantities of water and are durable
Ensure that the container is food-grade stainless steel to avoid contamination
Best practices:
Sanitize the Containers: Clean and disinfect containers before use to prevent contamination.
Label Containers: Include the date of storage and other relevant information.
Rotate Water Supply: Refresh stored water every annually to maintain quality.
The water does not go bad, but it does become a bit stale, and can become contaminated
Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Keep stored water away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to prevent bacterial growth and material degradation.
Bleach formula
Check the bleach concentration: Ensure that the bleach you're using is not scented or color-safe and contains 5.25% to 6% sodium hypochlorite.
Calculate the amount of bleach:
add 8 drops of bleach per gallon of water (for clear water) or 16 drops per gallon for cloudy water.
You'll be filling your storage containers with clean water, so we'll use the clear water formula. Since you have 55 gallons of water, you'll need to scale this up accordingly.
For clear water: 8 drops/gallon * 55 gallons = 440 drops
Convert drops to teaspoons or milliliters:
About 20 drops in 1 milliliter (ml)
For clear water: 440 drops / 20 drops/ml ≈ 22 ml
Mixing the bleach:
Add the calculated amount of bleach to the water.
Put the bleach in first or part way through the filling.
This insures a good mixing
If you are using bleach to purify water for immediate use, use 8 drops per gallon for clear water, and 16 drops per gallon for cloudy water, then let it stand for at least 30 minutes before using it.
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