SAFETY TIPS

SAFETY TIPS
Cleaning after a flood
The cleanup after a flood can be just as dangerous as the rising waters. During cleanup, take these precautions:
If your home is flooded
Be sure utilities are off. Don't turn them on until notified.
Do not pump basement out until flood water recedes. When using a sump pump, make sure the plug and/or extension cord are not submerged under water.
If you see downed power lines, do not try to repair or grab them. Even when floodwaters appear to have subsided, electrical currents can travel through the remaining water for more than 100 yards. Contact your utility company or police department to report downed power lines.
If you lose power during or after a flood, never use a gas oven, range, barbecue, hibachi or portable propane heater to heat your home. These units use up the oxygen you need to breathe and give off deadly carbon monoxide, which have caused people to die from suffocation.
If you have a well, assume your drinking water is contaminated. Use bottled water in tightly sealed containers that have been stored for less than six months. Plan for one gallon per person per day.
Floodwaters may carry silt, raw sewage, oil or chemical waste. Wash your hands frequently with soap and disinfected water to prevent spread of disease. This should be done before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, and after flood cleanup when your hands may have touched articles contaminated from water or sewage.
Throw out fresh or frozen food that has come into contact with floodwater, or food that has not been properly refrigerated. Undamaged canned goods are OK, but before opening, disinfect cans in a dilute bleach solution.
Building cleanup
Wear waterproof boots and gloves. Open all doors and windows. Use fans, if possible, to air out the building.
Clean walls, hard-surfaced floors and household surfaces with soap and water. Make sure dirt and mud are gone. Then, wipe everything down with household bleach to disinfect. Wash all clothes and linens in hot water. Throw away mattresses and stuffed furniture, since they can't be adequately cleaned, even with steam.
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency