Hygiene is often times an afterthought when preparing for a disaster situation. But, lack of hygiene and sanitary conditions can greatly affect your health and chance of survival. Lack of hygiene and lack of sanitary conditions are responsible for millions of deaths per year in regions that have been struck by disaster or that lack clean water and resources.

Water is a necessary item for keeping clean. Many emergency preparation lists contain the amount of water needed to stay hydrated per person for a calculated amount of time. These lists need to also include water for brushing teeth, washing hands before cooking and cleaning wounds (even minor wounds).

In regions where there is not a large amount of water, it is used solely for hydration. But, this can have a strong and detrimental counter effect. Without enough water to maintain clean cooking conditions, one can easily be exposed to diarrhea. This will further deplete a water supply for rehydrating the ill and cleaning their bodies. It is important to note that diarrhea caused by unsanitary food preparation can easily lead to more serious problems in children, elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Sanitary, antibacterial napkins can be used in emergency survival gear. These should be checked and swapped out regularly because the moistened versions tend to dry up quickly. A seasonal check of items in emergency kits is recommended. This is strongly urged for any cleaning solutions or materials that may leak when stored.

Plastic or latex gloves are also a recommended item for emergency survival gear. These items could be necessary for touching animal carcasses or other unforeseen and unsanitary items. While water and a strong soap are always recommended, an extra layer of protection is always a good idea.

Staying clean and healthy is crucial to survival. This should be stressed for everyone, but especially those with small children, aging parents or those with illnesses that contribute to a susceptibility to disease. In addition to storing water and cleaning items, a strong knowledge of how to sanitize water is essential. Disaster situations can last much longer than you have prepared for.