(June 29, 2013) With the recent flooding Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps (COCVAC) would like to remind those affected that water damage in your home caused by floods could create serious health and safety concerns. And after a flood, you must take precautions to protect your family from developing illnesses associated with contaminated water, food, and air and moisture problems.
“Homeowners who are cleaning up after flooding should not use any drinking water sources until health officials approve them; discard frozen foods that may have thawed during a power outage; and begin as soon as possible to dry out and disinfect walls. Standing water and excessive moisture can also lead to the growth of bacteria, mold and insects,” said COCVAC’s Chief of EMS Steven Dziura.
Mold can cause illness, trigger allergies and continue to damage your home long after the storm. In order to limit your exposure to airborne mold while cleaning, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardware stores. These respirators cost $15 to $25. Some N-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, and others are made primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap most of the mold spores from entering. In order to be effective, the respirator or mask must fit properly, so be sure to follow the instructions supplied with the respirator.
Wear gloves to avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands as well. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. But, if you are using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach or a strong cleaning solution, you should wear gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane or PVC.
Chief of EMS Steven Dizura offered more advice to help keep homes and families healthy:
FOODS
Avoid raw foods exposed to flood waters because of possible contamination. If raw foods must be used, clean thoroughly and rinse with chlorinated water (two teaspoons of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water).
Destroy the contents of crown-capped bottles and foods in glass jars. Their food safety seals may have been broken. Destroy canned foods when swelling, rusting or serious denting is visible.
Cook all foods thoroughly. Frozen foods that have been thawed should be discarded if not consumed immediately, or kept refrigerated at 45 degrees F. or lower.
HOUSEHOLD CLEAN-UP
Prior to flooding, power should have been turned off in cellars. If possible, wait for ground waters to drop below floor level. Otherwise, drain or pump water from flooded cellars.
Wash down the walls, floors and other areas exposed to flood waters. Keep windows and doors open for ventilation. Disinfect the washed areas by applying a solution of bleach with a broom. The solution is prepared by adding four tablespoons of bleach to five gallons of water. Allow the solution to remain on the surface for approximately 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water as soon as possible to minimize staining. You may also use a commercial disinfectant.
Furniture: Clean and then wash metal and leather surfaces with mild soap and water and wipe dry immediately. Some upholstery may be washed on the surface with soap and water and wiped dry. Expose to open air and sunshine.
Floor Coverings: Flush rugs and carpets with a hose and squeegee, then wash with lukewarm water containing a detergent. Rinse and dry in sun.
SAFETY
Rubber gloves should be worn while scrubbing damaged interiors with a bleach solution.
Don’t neglect supposedly minor cuts, scratches or other injuries or sickness experienced during the emergency.
Be careful about mixing household cleaners and disinfectants, as combining certain types of products can create toxic fumes and result in injury or death.
It can be difficult to throw away items in a home, particularly those with sentimental value. However, saving items that have been soaked by sewage or floodwater may be unhealthy. In general, materials that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours should be discarded.