Emergency Preparedness
Although many families choose to store bottled or distilled water as an emergency preparedness measure, storing tap water is another option. The Water Quality and Health Council offers tips on how to store tap water, including estimating how much families need and ways to ensure it remains potable while in storage.
The U. S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers tips on emergency disinfection of drinking water using two general methods, boiling and chemical disinfection. Directions for preparing emergency water for drinking, cooking, making any prepared drink or for brushing teeth are included here.
Flooding can cause damage to a home that goes beyond what the eye can see. The American Chemistry Council’s Chlorine Chemistry Division notes the importance of cleaning and disinfecting in the wake of flooding to ensure that homes and belongings are safe.
Approximately 15 percent of the US population draws its drinking water from private wells, which unlike public water systems, are not held to EPA water quality standards. That’s why it is important for private well owners to test their water quality at least annually and after significant flooding, and, if needed, take the necessary steps to disinfect.
Be prepared! How many of the items in Dr. Ralph’s Flu Preparedness Closet does your family have to use in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak?
Health and Safety Tips
Get through flu season with the help of an old friend – chlorine bleach. Just 1/4 cup of bleach in a gallon of cool water is an effective and inexpensive all-purpose disinfectant, used commonly in homes and healthcare facilities.
Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces with chlorine bleach can help control viral populations on household surfaces, reducing the spread of flu to family members.
Food Safety Tips
Simple directions for disinfecting food-contact surfaces are available in the form of a free consumer refrigerator magnet and downloadable posters for restaurant and institutional kitchens.
Daycare Safety Tips
- Two downloadable posters provide simple directions for daycare staff to help destroy germs on diaper changing tables and communal toys. Hand-washing tips are included.
Pet Safety Tips
- Three downloadable posters remind pet lovers and veterinary staff of proper protocols when using bleach to disinfect animal contact surfaces, such as cages and food bowls.
Healthy Swimming Tips
Mastering the knack of maintaining a healthy pool is not difficult with the right information and a little diligence. The proper use of chlorine is a key step to keep your pool healthy.
Healthy Swimming behaviors will help protect families from recreational water illnesses and help stop germs from getting in the pool in the first place. The CDC offers six steps that promote Healthy Swimming.
Baby pools can sometimes escape the safety spotlight. As young children are especially vulnerable to accidental drowning and infection from germs, it is necessary to maintain a high level of attentiveness around baby pools.