The UK government has warned Britons to prepare for hygiene challenges during a potential nationwide power cut, known as a 'Black Sky' event, with new guidance covering emergency toilet use and handwashing.
Such an incident would likely partially disable the sewage network, forcing households to change their bathroom habits immediately. The warning follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's appeal to the public to improve emergency preparedness through the Be Ready campaign.
Government advice on toilet use
On the Government website, advice suggests that people should have plastic bags, a bowl, and soap readily available for the more challenging task of using the toilet. The guidance states: "You will not be able to flush the toilet. Do not try to in any way as the sewage system will not be working. You should collect your poo in plastic bags, which should be sealed and disposed of with normal household waste, ideally in an outside bin. Do not use water for showering or bathing, save it for drinking, handwashing and preparing food."
The guidance differs slightly for those experiencing diarrhoea, stating: "If anyone in your house has diarrhoea, keep a separate bowl of water and soap or disinfectant for them to use to wash their hands."
Handwashing and preparedness
Regarding handwashing, the government recommends a communal bowl for certain situations: "To make sure you can carry on washing your hands while the power is out, fill a large bowl like a washing up bowl with water and add some soap or a household disinfectant. Use this soapy water to wash your hands after using the toilet."
The guidance adds: "Everyone in the house can share this bowl of soap and water to wash their hands the whole time while the power is out, without needing to replace it. I know this might sound unusual, but the water will remain safe for washing your hands throughout the period."
Washing hands with soap and water is described as more effective at killing all germs than hand sanitiser, so soap and water should be used wherever possible, with hand sanitiser as a fallback.
The guidance accompanies the Be Ready campaign, which recommends households prepare supplies including a battery or wind-up torch, approximately three days' worth of bottled water, non-perishable food requiring no cooking, cash for vital purchases, an FM radio operated by batteries, and crucial medications alongside first aid supplies. Emergency scripts have also been prepared for nationwide broadcast should a 'Black Sky event' occur, offering instructions for Britons throughout such a crisis.
