Disaster Readiness and Emergency Safety Tips
NSF offers tips and information for those who are now cleaning up after natural disasters like Hurricanes Irma and Harvey
Use these tips to prepare when a storm is brewing as well as for recovery after the storm.
Before a Natural Disaster
- Find alternative sources of water:
- Certified bottled water in factory-sealed containers and more facts about bottled water
- Rainwater collected in clean, food-grade storage containers; boil before drinking to kill bacteria
- Water from the freshwater storage tank behind the toilet (not the bowl) can be used if boiled first
- Review disaster readiness tips including a disaster supply checklist
After a Natural Disaster
NSF offers these helpful tips for water treatment, clean-up, sanitation and food safety:
- Emergency Drinking Water Treatment
- Boil water to destroy most bacteria, cysts and viruses
- Use purification tablets, certified distillers, filters and reverse osmosis units
- Use liquid, not granular, household bleach, following these instructions from the EPA website
- Cleaning Up After a Flood and Sanitation in Disaster Situations
- Avoid pushing dirt or bacteria further into your home by starting the cleaning process where food is prepared and work outward into the rest of the home
- Sanitize using a bleach/water mixture or other sanitizing agent specifically formulated to kill germs and bacteria
- Have septic systems pumped and checked after flooding subsides
- Use certified water filters on faucets to ensure contaminants are reduced in drinking water
- Emergency Food Safety Tips
- Discard all food that came in contact with flood waters, including canned goods
- Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers as there is no way to safely clean and sanitize them
- Wash heat-resistant dishes and cookware in a certified dishwasher on the sanitizing cycle or by hand and dip them in a solution of one capful of bleach and one gallon of water
Share this Article
How NSF Can Help You
Get in touch to find out how we can help you and your business thrive.
What’s New with NSF
2024 GFSI Conference - Meeting the Needs of our Evolving World
March 20, 2024NSF is proud to announce our sponsorship of the GFSI Conference, an annual event dedicated to advancing food safety and consumer trust.
Read the Story
NSF Acquires PSILab, Inc., an Advanced Plastic Pipe and Materials Testing Laboratory
March 18, 2024The acquisition extends NSF’s service offerings in the water industry, furthering its commitment to the quality, performance and safety of water products globally.
Read the Story
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s ZOA+ Powder Earns NSF Certified for Sport® Certification
March 4, 2024New Pre-Workout Powder Joins Elite Group of NSF Certified For Sport® Dietary Supplements.
Read the Story
February 2024 Pharma News Update
February 15, 2024The February 2024 update looks at the FDA’s guidance on conducting remote regulatory assessments and more.
Read the Story