Questions and answers
Short answers first, then the reasoning and the products that fit.
- How much water should you store for an emergency?Ready.gov advises storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days. That gallon covers drinking and sanitation together. A household of four planning for three days would therefore set aside twelve gallons as a floor.
- What should be in a 72-hour emergency kit?Ready.gov's basic kit starts with one gallon of water per person per day and several days of non-perishable food. It adds a battery-powered or hand crank radio, a flashlight and a first aid kit. Extra batteries and a whistle follow along with a dust mask and a manual can opener.
- Do water filters remove viruses?Most portable water filters remove parasites but not viruses or bacteria according to the CDC. The Sawyer Squeeze and LifeStraw Personal claim bacteria and parasites and LifeStraw states that viruses are not removed. The GRAYL GeoPress and Aquatabs tablets each carry a maker's virus claim of 99.99%.
- Is a portable power station the same as a generator?No. The CPSC warns never to use a portable generator indoors or in a garage because it produces deadly carbon monoxide. That warning names generators. The four power stations on our shortlist are LiFePO4 battery packs with a stated capacity in Wh and output in watts.