${gotBlog.title}

Flood Cleanup

Posted by North Shore Health Department on June 10, 2008

Environmental Health

The severe weather over the weekend has created havoc for many families as they deal with the aftermath.  If you have been affected by a flooded basement or sewage backup, there are safety precautions you can take to reduce your risk of infection while cleaning up.

• Avoid contact with contaminated surfaces by wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection.
• Make sure your tetanus immunization is current -- within the past ten years.
• Clean all hard surfaces with hot water and laundry or dish detergent then disinfect with a solution of one cup chlorine bleach in five gallons of water.
• Discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (for example, mattresses, carpeting, rugs, upholstered furniture, toys, stuffed animals, etc.)
• Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated.
• Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning, and dehumidifiers to prevent mold.
• Allow the home to dry completely before installing new materials.
• Wash hands thoroughly after cleanup.
• Contaminated clothes should be washed in hot water and detergent.
• Keep children and pets away from the affected area.

You can call us at the Health Department (371-2980) if you need a tetanus booster or would like additional information about cleanup of flood water.  You can also check out the following websites:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods          http://www.epa.gov/mold/flood          http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/flooding.htm