Water is one of the most important supplies you’ll need. It’s critical for survival and necessary for sanitation. Following a disaster, clean drinking water may not be available. Your regular water source could be cut-off or compromised through contamination. Prepare by building a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs during an emergency.
The Recommendation
Store one gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. Keep in mind that individual needs vary depending on age, health, activity, diet and climate. Additional factors to consider:
- Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.
- A medical emergency might require additional water.
- Large animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs should also have appropriate water storage prepared before a disaster.
Storing the recommended supply of water adds up quickly in terms of space. A family of four with two pets will need a minimum of 84 gallons of water to be 2 Weeks Ready—an amount many homes do not have room to store, particularly if it’s contained in 1-gallon recyclable drinking containers found at the grocery store.
EASY TASK
Think about alternative water storage solutions that will work for your home. Many options are available online, including drums, stackable “bricks,” and large outdoor storage tanks.