Caution - upon entering flood-affected area
Posted on: 07/Dec/2015 2:38:04 PM
1. Wait until authorities have declared the area safe before entering a flood zone. Before entering your house, wait until the water has fallen below floor level.
2. Wear rubber boots (or at least rubber-soled shoes) and rubber or leather gloves.
3. If you are going into an isolated area notify the proper authorities.
4. Check with electricity, gas and water authorities to determine whether supplies to your area have been interrupted and are safe to be turned on by you. If the water supply system has been flooded, you must assume it is contaminated.
5. Indoors or out, under flooded or damaged condition, treat every electrical item with the greatest respect.
6. If there is any chance of flood contamination of your drinking water, drink only boiled or bottled water until the normal water supply has been declared safe by health authorities.
7. Municipal water systems as well as private sources are subject to flood contamination, and health officers should certify water sources as fit for consumption.
8. All foods exposed to flood water except those in sealed (airtight) metal cans. Permanently mark the cans to keep their contents identifiable, remove paper labels, and wash the cans with soap and warm water.
9. Refrigerators and Freezers are clean them thoroughly and disinfect inside. Don`t turn them on until they have been given the opportunity to dry out. Have them checked by an electrician first.
10. Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.
11. Use ONLY battery-powered lighting. Flammable material may be present.
12. Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. If possible, turn off the gas at the outside main valve. Call the gas company.
13. Keep windows and doors open for ventilation.
14. Service damaged sewage systems as soon as possible.
15. Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
