Flood Cleanup Health and Safety Information
While a flood can be a terrible and horrifying experience, its aftermath is almost worse. After the threat of rising water is over, other risks and dangers lurk. Food and drinking water supplies may have been destroyed, electrical lines could be down and valuables destroyed. As you begin to clean up the mess the water left behind, here are some important tips to keep in mind.
After a flood, your drinking water may be contaminated, whether it is from a well, spring, or cistern. The best option is to use bottled water until you are sure that your water is contaminate-free; however, if bottled water is not accessible, you can fill your own bottles from a safe source or treat the water that is available to you. Boiling the water for five minutes will sanitize the water. You can also add five drops of household bleach to one quart of water and let it stand for five minutes or longer (longer is better). Make sure your bleach is unscented and there are no added detergents or other additives.
Food is another important need after a flood. Any fresh meats, poultry, fresh vegetables, fruit, ready-to-eat foods, home canned foods, and packages that are not airtight should be discarded if they have been exposed to flood water. If you have lost power and your refrigerator does not work, you should throw out the contents if it has been longer than six hours or if the food has been above 45˚F for more than three hours. Use caution if you are going to try to use shelf stable and canned foods. If it isn’t in an airtight container, it is at risk to have bacteria seep in. Bacteria can also be easily transferred to the food when the container is opened. It is best to remove the labels, wash the can or container the food is in, and then soak it in a disinfecting solution of two tablespoons bleach to one quart water for about two minutes. Any packages or cans that have been punctured or are bulging or leaking should not be used.
Use caution around electrical equipment. If an electrical system has been flooded, do not enter or go near the area. If possible, turn off the main breaker switches and do not turn anything back on until you have the go-ahead from a qualified electrician. If your basement is flooded, drain it slowly as the basement walls could collapse due to the water pressure in the surrounding ground. When outside, use caution around downed power lines, as electricity can travel more than 100 feet through water.
If you are going to be entering a flooded building, make sure that it is safe to do so. If you see a door sticking at the top, do not enter unless you have to. This could be a sign that the ceiling is saturated with water and could collapse. Be on the lookout for rodents or snakes as well, as they may have been taken refuge in the building.