Extension Agent Offers Safety Tips

Nancy Hunt, Crittenden County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Services wrote and said: "This is information from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service. They have more experience in the situations we are facing in Crittenden County and the surrounding areas."

Disinfecting Water
Unless you are absolutely certain your water supply is not contaminated, purify all water before using it for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. If the water contains sediment or floating material, strain it through a cloth before purifying it. If you have access to heat or power, water can be made safe by boiling. If not, you will have to treat it with chemicals.

Boiling (preferred method): Boil water at a rolling boil for 10 minutes to kill any disease-causing bacteria.

Chemical treatment: If you can't boil water, chemical treatment will kill most disease-causing organisms. Any of the following three chemical treatments will purify water.

Chlorine bleach. Household bleach is a good disinfectant for water. Before using, check the label to be sure hypochlorite is the only active ingredient in the bleach. Do not use bleach that contains soap. Since the amount of chlorine in bleach is variable, use the following table to determine the appropriate amount needed to purify water. Mix the bleach thoroughly in the water, and let it stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn't, repeat the dose and let the water stand for an additional 15 minutes.

Percentage Chlorine
1%: 40 drops per gallon of water
2 to 6%: 8 drops per gallon of water
7 to 10%: 4 drops per gallon of water

Iodine. Household iodine from the medicine cabinet will purify water. The iodine should be 2 percent United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) strength. Add 20 drops per gallon of clear water and 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.

Water purification tablets. Water purification tablets will also purify water. These tablets are available at drug stores. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Water From the Hot Water Heater
Your hot water heater or water pressure tank could supply many gallons of safe water during an emergency. Before using water from the water heater, switch off the gas or electricity that heats the water. Leaving the power on while the heater is empty could cause an explosion or burn out the elements. After turning off the power source, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Do not turn the water heater on again until the water system is back in service. Boiled water stored in sterilized containers will keep for six months to one year.

Preparing Food During a Power Failure:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9001.htm

Safety of Frozen Food During a Power Outage:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9002.htm

Safety of Refrigerated Foods After a Power Outage:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9003.htm

Food Safety During Power Outages:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9004.htm

Quantity Cooking in a Shelter Setting:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9007.htm

Unvented Portable Kerosene Heaters:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9026.htm

Staying Warm in an Unheated House:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/9022.htm