Why Porta Potties Are Important for Disaster Relief
Porta potties or portable toilets have become a necessity in many occasions. Whether it be marathons, private events, concerts, festivals, and sporting events, there's bound to be a porta potty nearby. Aside from that, a portable toilet is also necessary for other settings such as construction sites and disaster relief operations.
However, when hurricanes or floods come, what preparations should we make for our mobile toilets?
1. Create a Plan
Creating a plan is the first step we recommend. This can be done in advance, before the season of frequent natural disasters. It’s vital to have a plan in place, even if it’s just an outline to delegate duties to specific employees. In your plan, you may need to consider your portable toilets. We ask our clients to understand that some tropical storms can result in setbacks.
In an effort to get ahead of the storm, our policy is to service and pump out portable toilets in advance. This way, they are empty prior to disaster making landfall. We also do this in order to make sure our customers have ample time to secure toilets and place them in the safest location possible.
2. Track the Weather
Be sure to monitor weather updates on a daily basis, so you and your team won’t be caught by surprise. Hurricanes can take weeks to form and make landfall. Though a hurricane’s path may be unpredictable, at least your team can be aware of the possibilities. Many weather stations are online, for example The Weather Channel, making it easy to quickly check on a daily basis.
3. Secure Job Site Equipment and Portable Toilets
Once you and your jobsite is in the projected path of a hurricane, it’s time to take action. Revisit your preparation plan, and assign tasks to employees. A critical step is to secure equipment and materials.
In the event of strong hurricane force winds, loose materials can become airborne and cause destruction. Tying materials down to solid secured objects is a great option. Additionally, placing materials or equipment inside garages or buildings can help to keep materials safe. Trash, tools, lumber, and especially portable bathrooms need to be secured in the even of a hurricane.
As far as portables, ultimately, whoever the portable toilets are rented to is responsible for the equipment during a tropical storm or hurricane.
There are steps we advise our customers to take to ensure your rentals are secured. We recommend that our clients secure a rope around the portable to keep the door shut despite hurricane force winds. Another way to safeguard the portable toilet is to use a rope and tie it to a solid secured object. This solid secured object could be a tree trunk, dumpster, or warehouse.
4. Water Removal Preparations
Often, contractors will have water pumps ready to go on the site. Contractors can place the water pumps in a safe, secure place inside a structure on the job site so that water removal can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. This is critical, in order to reduce water damage to equipment, materials, and the structure. This will also allow the team to get back to work as soon as possible.
The Importance of Porta Potties for Disaster Relief
1. A porta potty provides evacuees comfort
During disaster relief, evacuees are already under a lot of stress. They have left their homes in a hurry not knowing when and if they can still go back. They are offered food that they are not used to, talking to people that they don't know, and forced to sleep in otherwise uncomfortable situations. Thus, most times, portable potty rentals are the closest thing that's normal during such trying time. People can close the door and, even in just a short while, feel comfortable.
2. A porta potty promotes sanitation
Whenever a lot of people gather together, sanitation becomes a priority. A restroom can easily get messy and dirty, especially when the power is out and clean water is unavailable. You may not even have the option to flush toilets from existing restrooms in the area. Luckily, potty rentals can help eliminate such issues and keep the disaster relief shelter more sanitary.
Also, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), communicable diseases and outbreaks such as diarrhoeal diseases and acute respiratory infections (ARI) are higher when there is crowding among evacuees, when there is not enough water and sanitation, and when evacuees don't have access to health care. Thus, to help reduce risks, portable toilets are a necessity.
3. A luxury porta potty provides access to running water
Access to clean, running water is often one of the most sought-after resources in a disaster relief shelter. This is because power cuts have already disrupted water treatment and supply plants. Not only is this an inconvenience but it also increases the risk of water-borne diseases.
A fancy porta potty can help address this issue and provide clean water for washing hands and face. This also ensures that the toilets can be flushed. Also, some portable restroom trailers have showers, giving evacuees and responders a comfortable and private place to clean up.
4. A portable toilet is mobile and easy-to-use
Porta potties and portable restroom trailers for rent are mobile and easy to use. This is an important feature since disasters can happen at any time and they are often unexpected. Thus, when it strikes, you need facilities and supplies to be delivered quickly as well. This is why you will need portable toilet rental services. They can be brought to the area immediately and quickly assist volunteers and everyone affected by the disaster.
5. A porta potty provides private space for personal needs
A restroom is important wherever there are people, whether it be in disaster relief operations, households, restaurants, or workplace. It is a facility that addresses people's needs to relieve themselves. Thus, renting porta potties is a must when it comes to disaster relief as it provides a private space where evacuees and responders can do their business in peace. This also prevents anyone from defecating and urinating on the street or other public places.
Toppla offer portable bathrooms and portable shower rooms that can provide immediate comfort, sanitation, running water, and a private place for evacuees and volunteers. With us, you have nothing to worry about. Contact us today to learn more about our disaster relief services.