Water is absolutely necessary for your survival. Stocking water reserves and knowing how to purify contaminated water should be one of your first priorities. You should store at least a three day supply of water for every member of your family. Children, nursing mothers and the ill will require more water than an average person. Additional water will be required for food preparation and hygiene.

Even if your supplies run low, water should never be rationed. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.

Water storage
Water can be stored in clean plastic, glass, fibreglass or enamel-lined containers - never use a container that previously held a toxic substance.

Before water is stored it needs to be treated with a preservative such as chlorine bleach to prevent growth of microorganisms. Chlorine bleach with 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite (and no soap) can be used. Four (4) drops of bleach per quart of water should be added, and then stirred. Seal water containers very tightly and store in a cool, dark place

Hidden water sources
If an emergency strikes and leaves you without a stored supply of clean water to drink, there are some other indoor water alternatives:

• Ice cubes
  Ice cube trays can hold several glasses of potable water.

• Hot water tank
  Water contained within your hot water tank can be used in an emergency, however first make sure that the electricity or gas is shut off. Open the drain at the bottom of the tank. Start water flowing by turning off the water intake valve and turning on a hot water faucet.

  Remember: do not turn the electricity or gas back on when the tank is empty. Also, know the location of your incoming water valve. If there are reports of broken water and sewage lines you will need to turn this valve off to hinder contaminated water from entering your home.

• Plumbing water
  To use this source of water, let air into the plumbing by opening the highest faucet in your home and draining the water from the lowest one.

• Toilet reservoir tank (a last resort)
  Water stored in the reservoir tank must be purified first before drinking.

• Water beds (also a last resort)
  A water bed can hold up to 400 gallons of water, however, some may contain toxic chemicals that cannot be removed by many purifiers. If a water bed is a designated resource, drain it annually, refill it with fresh water containing 2 ounces of bleach for every 120 gallons.

For more tips on water, visit the Federal Emergency Management's Web site.