FSM 337: Earthquake Preparedness: Choosing Containers for Water Storage

Transcript [music] Welcome to Food Safety in a Minute. The Cascadia Subduction Zone runs off our coast from British Columbia to northern California. We’re overdue for a major earthquake that could disrupt water supplies for weeks, even months. Storing at least one gallon of water per day, per person and pet, for a minimum of 14 days is essential. Because that much water is heavy (116 pounds), it’s good to choose smaller containers for storage. For instance, soda bottles with screw-on lids or food-grade, heavy-duty plastic containers with recycling symbols PETE and HDPE suitable for camping. Avoid milk jugs, they’re made from biodegradable plastic and may leak. For more tips on building a safe, drinkable water supply, check out Oregon State University Extension’s online guide: Survival Basics: Water. I’m Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension. [music] Resources Black, Lynette, G. Hyde, L. Kraemer, C. Sánchez-Frank. Survival Basics: Water. Tips for securing a safe, drinkable supply. Oregon State University Extension. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em-9285-survival-basics-water. Emergency Management Division – Washington – Safeguarding Lives and Property. Prepare in a Year. https://mil.wa.gov/personal. United States Department of Homeland Security. Suggested Emergency Food Supplies. https://www.ready.gov/food.