RE: [californiadisasters] soft drink bottles used for water

Interesting discussion! 

 

Check your home before you buy supplies you don’t really need: One of my contentions with the notions of building a kit or stocking up on emergency supplies is that most people do not realize that they already have most of the supplies needed in their own pantry or work space (e.g. garage or shed).  They just need to separate the things they have and place in a storage bin or two.  These items may be used regularly, so at worst, they’ll have to replace the items they borrow/use from the emergency supplies kit or shelf.  

 

This is (all at once approach) perhaps the one of the biggest obstacles to building a kit.  The cost is secondary.  I’m assuming that the ones that have the most difficulty assembling a kit or emergency supply locker are those who live on the margin of poverty and those who spend very little time in their homes.

 

Water:  Regarding water, you can use coke bottles or even ketchup / larger condiment bottles to store water.   Using smaller bottles, already portion out drinking water tailored to individual need, rather than using a larger container which would be hard to dole out individual portions.  What we do is we fill a filtered pitcher (Brita) or two  full of tap water and set aside bottles of water for emergencies. 

 

We also have seltzer and Fruity Water (e.g. Giant Eagle Fruition) on hand.  We will never go thirsty, but we may tire of the same ole’ drink for 10-14 days of sheltering or recuperating from a disaster.   You should also consider keeping distilled water on hand.  Also, be a good neighbor, have some supplies on hand to give to your neighbor.

 

DO 1-3 things per month vs all at once:  I prefer the Do 1 Thing (http://do1thing.com) approach to stocking up, is that it seems less overwhelming than trying to put together a complete kit (using FEMA’s Checklist). Our biggest obstacle will be the lack of a generator to run essential appliances / lighting.

 

More than one kit? More than one kit is a good idea.  How about assembling two identical kits; one for the house and one for your car, boat, van, etc.?  Doing this will save you grief,  in case you cannot get back in your home.  

 

Essential vs. Optional:  Also, IMHO, when putting together a kit, you should only set aside supplies that are essential, not optional.  Everyone’s needs are unique, so don’t use a checklist that is one size fits all. This will limit the physical and emotional weight of putting the kit together.

 

Game it: Those folks with children (older than 5)  at home should involve the entire family, make it a fun exercise/game (e.g. scavenger hunt) that everyone can play and feel good about their accomplishment afterwards. 

 

 

Very Respectfully,

 

Mark Lewack

Emergency Actions Coordinator

United States Office of Personnel Management

Facilities, Security and Contracting

1900 E Street NW

Washington, DC  20415

Tel: (202) 606-5415

Fax: (202) 606-0624

 

 

From: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com [mailto:californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Earthquake Solutions
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2012 12:09 PM
To: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [californiadisasters] soft drink bottles used for water

 

 

Yes, a good pantry of canned goods at home can supplement the need for liquids.  But be sure to use cans that actually require a can opener, as you say, and not any of those with easy open pull tabs, as they do not have the same shelf lives or safety/security if kept too long.  Choose items with high water or natural juice content, and nothing condensed.

 

From: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com [mailto:californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Julie
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 9:10 PM
To: californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [californiadisasters] soft drink bottles used for water

 

 

I usually have a couple case of bottle water on hand in the kitchen, we use it and I keep stocking it up and some in our closet along with our quake kit... Now another place where you can get water from, when your water bottles break or the water turns green on ya or whatever happens to it and its undrinkable...go to your food cans, stock up them up esp your veggy ones, they have water in it and you can daily does of veggies..make sure you have a can open in your kit to be able to get into them. The cans are durable

 

On 9/10/2012 5:03 PM, Kim Noyes wrote:

 

Sunlight is hard on a lot of things and not just man-made things: many minerals experience color fading with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight such as amethyst and vanadinite and celestite.

You should store your water in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight exposure if possible. I would suggest changing your stored water once a year but confess I don't even follow my own advice on this with my own cache of 6 5-gallon jugs having not been changed in several years... gotta get on that methinks!

Kimmer

On Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 11:23 AM, aweaawea <windpower@earthlink.net> wrote:

 

soft drink bottles used for water

Using fruit drink and soft drink plastic - ~liter or two liter bottles to save-store water- how long should they be replaced, or at least washed out and new water put in.

What is plastic chemicals that degrade and get into the water?
I presume that it gets worse quiker with sunlight and Heat storage place?

I try not to drink out of it if stored more than a few months - but ?? Does someone have a "yard stick" of rules of thumb?

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