Emergency Hygiene and Sanitation

What to Include & How to Prepare

Maintaining good hygiene and proper sanitation during emergencies is vital for your family’s health, comfort, and dignity—especially when water, power, or normal routines break down. Here’s how to build a practical, ready-to-use sanitation kit and plan for any disaster.

Why Hygiene & Sanitation Matter in Emergencies

• Prevents illness: Reduces risk of infection, foodborne illness, and disease outbreaks.

• Boosts morale: Cleanliness and self-care help everyone feel safer and more confident.

• Maintains dignity: Allows for privacy and normalcy in uncertain conditions.

Core Hygiene & Sanitation Supplies for Your Emergency Kit

Category	Essential Items
Water & Clean-Up	Hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, soap (liquid or bar), small towel/washcloth
Sanitation	Toilet paper (flattened for storage), garbage bags, plastic ties, bucket
Feminine Hygiene	Pads, tampons, panty liners, personal wipes
Personal Care	Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, comb/brush, lotion
Waste Management	Heavy-duty plastic bags (for waste), biohazard waste bags, kitty litter
Cleaning	Disinfectant wipes or spray, household sanitizer, unscented bleach
Utility & Useful Tools	Portable toilet/seat, collapsible basin, latex/nitrile gloves, face masks
Laundry	Small bottle laundry detergent, scrub brush, line/rope, clothespins

Hygiene and SanitationTrusted Checklists & Printables:

https://www.ready.gov/kit

https://www.cdc.gov/children-and-school-preparedness/resources/emergency-kit-checklist.html

FEMA: Food and Water in an Emergency (PDF)

Tips for Maintaining Hygiene and Sanitation Without Running Water

• Hand Hygiene: Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water is scarce. Always clean hands after bathroom use and before eating.

• Cleaning Surfaces: Disinfect high-touch areas (door handles, phones, tables) daily using wipes or diluted bleach solution.

• Toileting Without Plumbing:

• Set up a toilet-in-a-bucket system:

• Place a heavy-duty trash bag in a 5-gallon bucket.

• Add a seat, kitty litter or sawdust for odor control.

• Cover waste with each use; seal and replace bag as needed.

• For privacy, use a pop-up privacy tent or create a secluded area.

• Feminine & Incontinence Care: Include a week’s supply of products plus personal wipes and sealable disposal bags.

• Oral Care: Brush and floss as usual, using minimal water.

• Laundry: Do a “camp wash” in a tub or sink with small amounts of soap and line-dry clothes.

• Bathing: Wipe down with moist towelettes; if possible, use a solar shower or sponge-bath method with boiled/cooled water.

Safe Waste Disposal

• Store solid waste in sealed bags—double-bag if possible.

• Label and separate human waste from trash to prevent contamination.

• If official pickup stops, bury waste in a 6–8 inch deep hole, 200 feet away from water sources, gardens, and living areas when allowed.

• In apartment buildings, know the designated disposal site or plan with neighbors.

Additions for Special Needs

• Infants/Toddlers: Diapers, wipes, extra sealable bags

• Elderly or Disabled: Pads/briefs, barrier creams, gloves; accessible bathing aids

• Pet Owners: Poop bags, pet wipes, odor absorbers

Quick Reference Table: Key Supplies

Item/Group	Notes
Hand sanitizer	At least 60% alcohol, several small bottles
Toilet paper	Flatten rolls to save space, waterproof storage
Heavy duty bags	For waste, trash, and makeshift toilet liners
Towelettes/wipes	Multipurpose (hands, body, surfaces)
Bleach/disinfectant	For cleaning, water purification (unscented only)
Feminine items	Store extra, plus personal-sized disposal bags

Maintaining cleanliness in a crisis isn’t just about staying healthy—it's about ensuring your whole family feels safe, respected, and cared for, no matter what happens around you. Take time now to assemble your hygiene kit so you’re ready for any circumstance.

Quick Reference Table

Scenario	Acceptable Water Sources	Unacceptable Water
Drinking/Cooking	Bottled, boiled, purified, filtered	Pool, river, rain, gray
Toilet Flushing	Pool, rain, gray, bathwater	Skip potable water
Plant/Garden Use	Rain, gray (not pool for food plants)	Pool (edibles), gray (root crops)
Handwashing	Potable, rain (before sanitizer), not pool/gray	Pool, gray water
Cleaning	Pool, gray, rain, bath	Potable (save it!)
First aid/wounds	Only potable water	Pool, rain, gray

Water Usage Quick Reference Table

Scenario	Acceptable Water Sources	Unacceptable Water
Drinking/Cooking	Bottled, boiled, purified, filtered	Pool, river, rain, gray
Toilet Flushing	Pool, rain, gray, bathwater	Skip potable water
Plant/Garden Use	Rain, gray (not pool for food plants)	Pool (edibles), gray (root crops)
Handwashing	Potable, rain (before sanitizer), not pool/gray	Pool, gray water
Cleaning	Pool, gray, rain, bath	Potable (save it!)
First aid/wounds	Only potable water	Pool, rain, gray