Staysafeand protectagainst infection
Themainhealthhazardinfloodscome fromthestressandstrainoftheevent andclean-up.Taketimetolookafter youandyourfamily’smentalhealthand wellbeing.Donotoverexertyourselfin theclean-up.
What’sthebesthealthadvice– isn’tthereariskfrombugsinthe water?
Infectionproblemsarisingfromfloodsin thiscountryarerare.Usuallyany harmfulbugsinfloodwaterbecomevery dilutedandpresentalowrisk,butthere areafewprecautionstobeawareof whendealingwithfloodingwhichshould preventunnecessaryadditionalhealth problems:
1.Generalhygieneandsafety precautionsshouldbetaken.When cleaningupusewaterproofbootsand protectivegloves.Keepanyopencuts or sorescleanandpreventthembeing exposedtofloodwater- wear waterproofplastersif youcan.
2.Alwayswashyourhandswith soapandcleanwateraftergoingto thetoilet,beforeeatingorpreparing food,afterbeingincontactwithflood water,orsoileditems.
3.Don'tallowchildrentoplayinfloodwaterandwash children'shands frequently(alwaysbeforeeating).There maybenoneedtothrowaway householditemsaslongas theycanbe properlycleaned.
4.Cleananddisinfectall hard surfaces,walls,furniture,pans,plates andcutlerywithhotsoapywateror kitchendisinfectantuntiltheylook clean.Powerfuldisinfectants,suchas strongbleacharenotnecessaryandmay beharmfultosurfaces.
5.Removeanddisposeofall soft furnishingsandfittingsthatare damagedbeyondrepair.Clothing, beddingandothersoftarticlesincluding children'stoysshouldbewashedona hotwash(60ºCorthehighest temperatureindicatedonwashing instructions).Thiswilldestroymost germsthatmaybepresent.
6.Othersoftfurnishingsthathave beensoiledandcannotbeputin a washingmachinewillneedto be professionallycleaned-ifthisisnot possible,theymayneedtobedisposed of.
7. Takecarewithelectricsand gas.Donotswitchonelectrical appliancesthathavebeenin contact withfloodwaterunlessa competent electricianhas checkedthem,asthereis riskofelectrocution.Evenif gas appliancesappeartobeworking normally,theflueorventilationsystems maybeaffected.Forsafetyreasonshave appliancesinspectedbyaGasSafe Registerengineer(call08004085500 foradvice).Don'tuseanyoutdoor cookingequipmentsuchasbarbecues insideyourhouseagainbeawareof toxicfumesandfirerisk.
8.Thereis alsoa seriousdanger posedbycarbonmonoxidefumes fromtheindooruseofgeneratorsand otherfuel-poweredequipment,suchas driers.Rememberthatpetrolordiesel generatorsandotherfuel-driven equipmentshouldNEVERbebrought indoors.If you areusingafueldriven generatororotherfueldriven equipmentthisshouldbeproperlysited outdoors.However,ifyouexperience dizziness,headachesor disorientation, switchoffappliances,movetoawell- ventilatedareaandseekmedicaladvice.
9.Itisrecommendedthatyou onlyfullyre-occupyyourhome oncecleaninghasbeencarriedout. Theremayalsobeadditionalworksto be doneasadvisedby yourinsurance company,housingofficer,landlord, builderetc.
10. Keepyourselfandyourfamily safe-don'ttryto undertakeany difficultordangerouswork yourself-replacingrooftiles and checkingelectricalor gassafetyshould bedonebyqualifiedprofessional.
Furtherfloodinghealthadvicecanbe foundatgovernment/collections/flooding-health- guidance-and-advice