Store all plastic water containers on a wooden pallet or shelf. Keep water containers in a location where container failure will not destroy your other supplies. Keep all water and supplies in a cool dark place.

Any water that you make up yourself needs to be treated. If left untreated over time, it becomes contaminated with bacteria and algae.

• 8 DROPS OF PURE UNSCENTED LIQUID BLEACH PER GALLON OF WATER WILL REDUCE THE CONTAMINANTS IN THE WATER.

• ADD THE BLEACH WHEN YOU FIRST STORE THE WATER AWAY.

NOTE: ROTATE YOUR WATER EVERY SIX MONTHS (This includes the 1- and 2-gallon sealed bottles purchased at the store, and the supply you made up from tap water with bleach added.)

Another source of water is the hot hater heater. Every water heater has a drain valve near the bottom.

GETTING THE WATER OUT OF YOUR WATER HEATER :

• Use extreme caution. Let the water cool.

• Turn off the cold water supply to the tank

• Turn off the gas or electric heater for the tank

• Open the drain valve at the bottom

REMEMBER: Some sediment at the bottom of the tank may at first make water flowing out look murky. Continue to drain water until it becomes clear.

OTHER SOURCES OF WATER IN YOUR HOME

• Toilet Water Storage Tank. NOTE: Use the water from the Storage Tank - NOT THE TOILET BOWL (Don’t drink the water if you use coloring or chemicals in it) 

• Melted Ice Cubes are a source of water

• Water-Packed Can Goods (even syrups are mostly water)

• Water Trapped In Home Piping. Water can be removed by locating and shutting off the main water valve. Then, open the valve at the highest point of your property (i.e., shower head, especially on the 2nd floor ). Then, when you open the valve at the lowest point, gravity will force the water from the pipes.

IF THE PURITY OF YOUR WATER SOURCE IS QUESTIONABLE, USE THE FOLLOWING METHODS TO MAKE THE WATER SAFE TO DRINK:

• BEST! Add Liquid Chlorine Beach to the water (8 drops per gallon of water. Double this dose if the water is cloudy.) OR

• GOOD! Add 2% Tincture of Iodine to the water (12 drops per gallon of water. Double this dose if the water is cloudy.) OR

• ACCEPTABLE! Boil the water vigorously (5 min. at sea level, adding an extra minute for every 1000 feet above sea level. Double this time if the water is cloudy.) AND

• Don't forget to clean and sanitize your food and water containers before using them. Wash with soap and water then fill with a 10% bleach solution. After 5 min. empty the bleach solution and let air dry AND

• Water that is dirty should first be strained through a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or a paper towel to remove suspended matter.

NOTE: THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED SOURCES ARE FOR DRINKING AND FOOD PREPARATION.

DO NOT DRINK POOL OR SPA WATER! POOL WATER CONTAINS MANY TOXIC CHEMICALS AND HAS A HIGH POTENTIAL OF GIVING YOU DIARRHEA, CAUSING DEHYDRATION!

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Los Angeles Fire Department
200 North Main Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 485-5971