There's an old saying about the devil being in the details. This is certainly true when it comes to disaster preparedness. In a disaster, the things we take for granted in life (the ready availability of food, water, clothing, and professional help) become unavailable for a time. It's the details of how well we're prepared for this sudden absence that determine our success or failure in the disaster.
 
One of these taken-for-granted details, sanitation or maintaining a high level of personal hygiene, can mean the difference between life and death even after surviving the initial disaster unscathed.
 
In all of the disasters that have hit North or South America recently, whether Katrina or Haiti or Chile, public sanitation and personal hygiene have become major impediments to the welfare of the survivors.
 
We in the Churchill area can learn several valuable lessons from this: first, have plenty of potable (drinkable) water available at all times. CERT training teaches us two gallons per person per day, minimum. Second, if the plumbing breaks during a disaster, establish a latrine area. You can still use your toilet, if you want. But if the water is off, put a garbage bag in the bowl to catch solid waste for easy and proper disposal elsewhere. Third, be mindful when preparing food to avoid contaminating it and making everyone sick. And fourth, hand sanitizer wipes, foams, and fluids are readily available in stores. Purchase one or more types and keep in in your 72-hour kit.
 
One last thing. When the disaster hits, just remember to clean your hands.