As discussed last month, after a large-scale disaster, you and your neighbors might be without help for a while. Assume that you will need to be self-reliant for at least three weeks—preparing for four weeks is even better.

What this means is that you need supplies that will last you during this time. If you’ve been following along with the Bainbridge Prepares Prepare in a Year program or this column, then you already have enough food, water, and medical supplies. We will tackle some other categories of preparation here. Note the supplies listed in each explanation.

Power and Lighting

During most disasters, you can expect to lose power. Make sure you have enough fully charged phone chargers and some way to recharge them after they are depleted, like a solar recharger or a small portable precharged generator.

But what good is power if there is no WiFI, cell service, or Internet? During disasters, you may still be able to text out of state for a while after the ability to make calls stops working. When even that fails, having a satellite communication device (and related service contract)—like Zoleo or Starlink—will enable you to reach family out of the area to inform them of your status. For communication within the area, rely on walkie-talkies or Ham radio.

Candles can start fires. Instead, for lighting, gather headlamps, flashlights, and camping lanterns as well as batteries.

Heating and Cooling

For winter-time disasters, store a few small ceramic heaters that you plug into a portable generator. Make sure you have plenty of blankets. Don’t use gas heaters or stoves indoors as they can result in deadly carbon monoxide buildup.

In the summer, make sure you have a way to be outside in the shade and out of the rain. A small electric or battery-powered fan might help as well.

Sanitation and Hygiene

To prevent the spread of disease or foodborne illness, you will need a way to wash your hands and clean yourself. The best way is to use soap to wash your hands, followed immediately by application of hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol. For the hand-washing part, create a sink by placing a water jug with a spigot on a table and a bucket underneath to catch the water. Wash frequently and always after going to the bathroom or caring for the injured and before touching food.

For body hygiene, a camping sun shower or a bucket and scoop/cup work well. Make a shower stall using a pop-up camping privacy tent, or hang tarps. Store a supply of disposable wipes for cleaning between your weekly or twice-weekly showers. Taking a swim in salt water can work too, but be careful not to get hypothermia. Avoid the saltwater swim if the particular disaster is an earthquake followed by a tsunami, as the Sound will be contaminated by debris.

Keep open wounds clean and uncontaminated. Wash laundry with salt water and biodegradable Castile soap. Rinse off the salt at the end with fresh water. Hang clothes to dry.

Create a camp toilet consisting of two buckets—for number one and for number two—and bucket toilet seats. Dump the urine bucket on plants. The number-two bucket needs to be lined with a garbage bag to which you add cat litter or bio-gel. Store the used bags safely where rats and other animals won’t chew through them. Alternatively, invest in a portable dry composting toilet.

Cooking

Prepare food with a camp stove or outside BBQ grill. Keep extra fuel on hand for the stove/grill. Never use an outdoor grill or camp stove indoors. In the event of an earthquake, don’t use your fireplace/woodstove until you have been able to have it inspected. Wash dishes the way you would when camping, in a bucket of water.

Shelter

If your home is damaged and you need to stay outside, you will need tents or some other kind of shelter as well as comfort pads, chairs, and sleeping bags.

For more information, consult the checklists at bainbridgeprepares.org/gear.

Sarah Lane is the community outreach team lead for Bainbridge Prepares.