Flood Damage and Disinfection
Wading through flood waters presents a whole lot of health risks. (Photo Credits)
Flooding inside the home can send the homeowners wading through floodwaters, because in reality, they do not have a choice. The problem with this scenario though is that there are a lot of flood-borne illnesses that can affect any person who have waded into flood waters.
Rhode Island’s Department Of Health has warned its constituents to keep good hygiene measures after a flooding incident. More info here
“Wash your hands with soap and clean water before preparing or eating food, after participating in cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage. Do not expose open cuts or wounds to floodwaters. Floodwaters can cause an infection in an open wound.”
Read the whole guidelines page here.
Flooding and Sanitation
Leeds, Greenville, and Lanark District Health Unit meantime reminded its readers that apart from disinfecting ones body, flooded but salvageable items should be disinfected as well following a flooding incident.
“Floodwaters are usually very dirty. During a flood, water leaves the normal course of streambeds and washes over the countryside. The floodwaters then come in contact with farmyards, manure piles, refuse heaps, outhouses, overflowing septic systems and other sources of disease, resulting in heavy contamination of the water. The contaminated water can make people sick and items that have been in contact with the floodwaters need to be handled properly. If flood damaged areas are not cleaned properly and quickly there is a danger of mould growing. Mould can be harmful to some individuals if inhaled or swallowed.”
Read the whole article here.
Importance of Cleanliness and Hygiene
The US Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration meantime came up with a guide on how every worker should conduct himself following a flooding scenario.
“Floodwater often contains infectious organisms, including intestinal bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella; Hepatitis A Virus; and agents of typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus. The signs and symptoms experienced by the victims of waterborne microorganisms are similar, even though they are caused by different pathogens. These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, and fever. Most cases of sickness associated with flood conditions are brought about by ingesting contaminated food or water. Tetanus, however, can be acquired from contaminated soil or water entering broken areas of the skin, such as cuts, abrasions, or puncture wounds.” Read the continuation here.
Cleaning up after a flood is important, but equally critical as well is the disinfection that follows after a flood clean up. Flood restoration experts are in the best position to conduct the flood clean up operations. After all they have the expertise, tools and equipment, as well as all the safety gear needed to restore a home that has been inundated with flood waters.
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