Should you find yourself in a situation where you do not have access to hot water, or – worse still – any water at all, it is important to think about personal hygiene in relation to food and cooking. Poor hygiene can lead to infection and disease.
Access to hot water is something most of us take for granted today. We wash our hands several times a day, and many people shower every day as a matter of course. But what if there was suddenly no hot water? What if there was no running water at all?
Personal hygiene can be quite challenging without access to water. Poor hygiene can lead to infection and disease. It is therefore important to plan for disruption in the water supply, especially in terms of food and cooking.
Keep wet wipes and antibacterial hand disinfectant in your home. Wash yourself every day as well as you can, especially after going to the toilet and before cooking.
Keep your home clean and tidy. Take out your rubbish and any leftover food, to prevent bacteria and pests. Use disposable house-cleaning wipes to clean kitchen surfaces, the bathroom / toilet and floors.
Imagine that you cannot use your toilet. It is a good idea to have planned an alternative solution. Some people who have a garden or outdoor property could consider building a latrine.
Read more about self-preparedness and get advice on how to prepare your own emergency survival kit.
