How do I request my own FBI file?

Submit a Privacy Act request through the FBI's eFOIPA portal, or mail a signed letter with U.S. Department of Justice Certification of Identity Form DOJ-361 to the FBI's Record/Information Dissemination Section in Winchester, Virginia.

What information should I include?

Your full name, mailing address, aliases, date and place of birth, Social Security number, former addresses, and details of any FBI contact or investigation you believe exists.

Is an FBI file the same as a rap sheet?

No. A rap sheet, called an Identity History Summary, is a criminal history check from the FBI's CJIS Division and costs $18. A Privacy Act request seeks investigative and other records about you.

Can the FBI refuse to release my file?

The FBI can withhold material under FOIA and Privacy Act exemptions, such as national security or ongoing law-enforcement records. You can appeal a denial to the Justice Department.

Can I request someone else's FBI file?

For a living person, generally only with their written consent on Form DOJ-361. Files on deceased people can be requested with proof of death.

Emergency Water Storage Made Simple: How Much, What In, and How to Treat It

A one-minute Provident Prepper video makes the core point: clean container, clean water. We add how much to store, how to rotate it, and the CDC bleach method.

Video: “Emergency Water Storage Made Simple” by The Provident Prepper on YouTube. Embedded for commentary; views expressed in the video are the creator's own.

Short answer: store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, in clean food-grade containers, away from heat and sunlight. Know how to disinfect more. The one-minute video from The Provident Prepper above sums it up: a clean container filled with clean water is all you need.

How much water?

Ready.gov advises at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation, for several days. Add more for hot weather, children, nursing mothers, the sick, and pets. A family of four needs at least 12 gallons for three days; two weeks is a better target.

What to store it in

Sealed bottled water is the simplest option. Keep it in its original packaging.
Food-grade containers if filling your own. Avoid containers that held milk or juice, which are hard to clean fully.
Large barrels for long-term supply, stored off concrete and out of the sun.

How to treat water

The CDC's method for clear water: add 8 drops of unscented 6% household bleach per gallon (6 drops if the bleach is 8.25%), stir, and wait 30 minutes. Use only plain bleach with no scents or additives. If water is cloudy, filter it first. Boiling for one minute also works when you have fuel.

Rotate

Ready.gov suggests replacing self-filled stored water every six months. Watch expiry dates on bottled water, and keep it away from chemicals and fuels.

Stock the shelf: shelf-stable picks from our Jamaica store

Browse more pantry staples at jamaicaonlineshop.com, delivered islandwide in Jamaica.

Documented vs opinion

Documented: quantities and rotation from Ready.gov; disinfection from the CDC. Opinion: water is the cheapest, most overlooked prep. Fill it before hurricane season, not during the warning.

Sources

The Provident Prepper, "Emergency Water Storage Made Simple," YouTube, Jan. 2024.
Ready.gov, Water: www.ready.gov/water
CDC, Making Water Safe in an Emergency.

Frequently asked questions

How much emergency water should I store?

At least one gallon per person per day for several days, per Ready.gov. Two weeks is a stronger target.

How do I purify water with bleach?

Add 8 drops of unscented 6% bleach per gallon of clear water (6 drops for 8.25%), stir, and wait 30 minutes, per the CDC.

How often should I replace stored water?

Ready.gov suggests every six months for water you bottle yourself; follow expiry dates on commercial bottled water.