Key Points posted on Aug 23, 2021
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How should I cleanup after a flood? posted on Aug 23, 2021
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Places that have been flooded – open lots or building of any type – should be considered as hazardous sites. These places may contain chemicals, mold, damaged building materials that are structurally unsafe, vermin, including poisonous snakes, and other hazards. Depending on the post-flood weather, specifically temperature and humidity, there are risks of hypo- or hyper-thermia (body temperatures that are too low or too high). Adults working at such sites must be properly trained to deal with the potential hazards and must wear appropriate personal protective equipment. Many chemicals cross the placenta from a pregnant person to the fetus. Moreover, should a pregnant person become ill or injured as a result of working in a hazardous cleanup environment, the health of the fetus may be compromised. In addition, it may be difficult to provide pregnant people with well-fitting personal protective equipment. For all these reasons, it is strongly recommended that pregnant people not participate in cleanup activities. While civic organizations, religious organizations, or schools may want to provide children and adolescents with opportunities for community service, disaster cleanup should not be an option. The adults who supervise children and adolescents rarely receive adequate training about cleanup of hazardous sites. Often, appropriately sized personal protective equipment (PPE) cannot be provided for the children and adolescents who would be involved. Children, and many adolescents, will not have the judgment capacity to determine what is safe for them to do as they move through a post-disaster cleanup site. |
How should mold be cleaned? posted on Aug 23, 2021
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After homes have been flooded, moisture can remain in drywall, wood furniture, cloth, carpet, and other household items and surfaces and can lead to mold growth. Exposure to mold can cause hay fever-like reactions (such as stuffy nose, red, watery or itchy eyes, sneezing) as well as asthma attacks. It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items promptly to prevent mold growth. Buildings that are wet for more than 48 hours will generally contain visible and extensive mold growth. Some children are more susceptible than others to mold, especially those with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. To protect a child from mold exposure, clean smooth, hard surfaces such as metal and plastics with soap and water and dry thoroughly. Flood water-damaged items made of more absorbent materials cannot be cleaned and should be discarded. These items include paper, cloth, wood, upholstery, carpets, padding, curtains, clothes, stuffed animals, etc. If there is a large amount of mold, hiring a professional to clean up the mold can be considered. If a homeowner decides to do the cleanup, they should:
Homes, apartments, child care centers, schools and other buildings that have sustained heavy water damage will be extremely difficult to clean and will require extensive repair or complete remodeling. It is strongly advised that children not stay in these buildings. |
Can I use a portable generator? posted on Aug 23, 2021
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Due to loss of electricity, gasoline- or diesel-powered generators may be used in the aftermath of floods. NEVER use portable generators indoors! Place generators outside and as far away from buildings as possible. Do not put portable generators on balconies or near doors, vents, or windows and do not use them near where people are sleeping. Likewise, charcoal grills and kerosene cooking devices should not be used indoors for heating or cooking; and gas ovens should not be used for heating purposes. These devices release carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and deadly gas. Simply opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the home or in partially enclosed areas such as a garage. If children or anyone else in a family starts to feel sick, dizzy, or weak or experiences a headache, chest pain, or confusion, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical care as soon as possible. Fetuses and infants are especially vulnerable to the life-threatening effects of carbon monoxide. |
What if the drinking water is contaminated? posted on Aug 23, 2021
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While all people need safe drinking water, it is especially important for children because they are more vulnerable to harm from contaminated drinking water. If a tap water source is potentially contaminated with flood waters, children, pregnant people, and nursing parents should drink only bottled water. Bottled water should also be used to mix baby formula and for cooking. It is also recommended that children are sponge bathed children with warm bottled water until it is certain that tap water is safe to drink. Tap water, from either private wells or city water, should be professionally tested or certified as safe by local officials before resuming normal usage. Private Wells: If there is a flooded well, do NOT turn on the pump, and do NOT flush the well with water. Contact local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific guidance on disinfecting your well. View more information on how to manage a flooded well. For more detail on disinfecting contaminated drinking water by boiling or by using liquid chlorine bleach consult this guidance from the Washington State Department of Health. |
What if items in the household are contaminated? posted on Aug 23, 2021
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As mentioned above in the Mold section, some flood water-effected items can be salvaged, while others should be thrown away. Drinking Water Containers: Clean thoroughly with soap and water, then rinse. For gallon-sized containers, add approximately 1 teaspoon of bleach to a gallon of water to make a bleach solution. Cover the container and agitate the bleach solution thoroughly, allowing it to contact all inside surfaces. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes, then rinse with purified and/or uncontaminated water. |
Other Flood Topics posted on Aug 23, 2021
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Bleach: Household bleach contains chlorine, a very corrosive chemical which can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It is one of the most common cleaners accidentally swallowed by children. Children – especially those with asthma – should not be in the room while using these products. Call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 immediately in case of poisoning. |
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