|
Flood advice from Direct Gov
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/FloodingInYourArea/DG_10014605
Returning after a flood advice from the Environment Agency
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/166735
Flood advice from the Association of British Insurers
http://www.abi.org.uk/Display/default.asp?Menu_ID=1140&Menu_All=1,946,1140&Child_ID=400
REMEMBER TO STAY SAFE
It is recommended that you only fully reoccupy your home once it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and allowed to dry out.
Be careful walking through floodwater, there may be debris, open manholes or other hazards you cannot see and sediments may be slippery. Always move slowly and carefully.
Never enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet, unless you are certain that the power is off.
Do not assume that any part of a flooded electrical installation/appliance is safe.
If your home or business has been flooded, electrical hazards may exist long after the water dissipates.
If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.
Do not turn the power back on.
Do not turn on any electrical equipment if it has been under water until it has been inspected by a qualified electrician. These items may work and appear safe but once they have been under water, they could cause electrocution or fire.
Turn of the gas supply to appliances that have been flooded and do not use until they have been checked by a CORGI registered engineer.
A Gloucester City Council Building Inspector will visit you’re property, if you have been flooded, to confirm there is no structural damage.
The main health hazard following flooding comes from the stress and strain of the event, not from infections. Take some time to consider your mental health and approach the clean up without overexerting yourself and in this way you will avoid additional physical stress.
The safe use of emergency generators
Remember that petrol or diesel generators, dehumidifiers and pressure washers should never be used indoors without adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which can quickly build up to poisonous levels without proper ventilation.
IF YOU ARE INSURED, CONTACT YOUR INSURER
If possible take photos or video footage of the damage, and mark the high water level on the walls for reference. Do not undertake any clearance or repair work until your insurer has given approval.
RETURNING HOME AND CLEANING-UP
Returning home
It is recommended that you only fully reoccupy your home once it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and allowed to dry out. Remember your power supplies may have been affected. Turn off the power and get advice from your supplier/s before use.
Some basic precautions are all that is necessary to protect your health - infection problems arising from floods in the UK are rare. If you follow the advice in this leaflet, you should be able to avoid any additional health problems for you and your family as a result of clearing up.
Reducing the Risk of Infection
Floodwater affecting your property may have been contaminated with sewage. Although any bugs in floodwater will have been very diluted and present a low risk you should always:
-
Wear protective clothing - waterproof boots, apron and gloves - while cleaning up. Cover any open cuts with waterproof plasters.
-
Wash your hands with soap and water after being in contact with floodwater or items that have been contaminated and always wash your hands before eating or preparing food.
Health risks can be minimised by taking general hygiene precautions and by the use of protective clothing (waterproof boots and gloves) whilst cleaning up.
You should also always wash your hands with soap and clean water:
-
after you go to the toilet,
-
when you eat or prepare food,
-
after being in contact with flood water, sewage or items that have been contaminated by flood water, and
-
after participating in flood cleanup activities.
Don't allow children to play in floodwater areas and wash children's hands frequently (always before meals). Wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and disinfectant before allowing them to be used again.
Keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed to flood water. Wear waterproof plasters.
Harmful bacteria may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and this can pass into flood water, although it is likely to be extremely diluted. If you or anyone in your family gets symptoms such as sickness, diarrhoea, or tummy cramps, or if you become ill after accidentally swallowing mud or contaminated water speak with your GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.
In inaccessible areas such as under floorboards it may smell but is not necessarily a health hazard. Get further advice from the environmental health department if the smell persists or if you are particularly concerned about it for other reasons.
As your property continues to dry out, vacuum any loose material and dust on a regular basis.
Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible - be aware of the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles or raised nails in the floorboards until these have been repaired.
General cleaning
-
Ensure the water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using them for the first time.
-
Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (including walls, appliances, floors, furniture etc) and disinfect them with a solution made up with hot water and an ordinary detergent based household cleaning agent.
-
Wash all soft fabric items (bedding, linen, clothing, soft furnishings, children's toys etc on a hot wash - 60?C (or recommended temperature on detergent manufacturer's instructions) - which will destroy any germs. Items that cannot be put in a washing machine should be dry-cleaned.
-
Remove and discard items which are damaged beyond repair
-
After cleaning, allow to dry thoroughly, which will also help to destroy any germs left behind. Use fans, air conditioners, heaters and dehumidifiers, if available, to help the drying process but bear in mind the advice below under ‘heating and ventilation'.
-
Wash all clothes worn during clean up activities in hot water and detergent and wash them separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
Food preparation and storage
-
Until such time that the mains water supply is of drinking quality, DO NOT use tap water for food preparation, cooking, cleaning food preparation surfaces, or washing dishes and other utensils.
-
Wash your hands before and after preparing food. DO NOT use tap water.
-
Ensure all surfaces that food will come into contact with are sound and disinfected. If work tops and other areas show signs of damage, avoid food contact with these areas. Particularly make sure that the shelves including those in your refrigerator where food is stored are cleaned and disinfected.
-
Don't eat any food that has been covered by or come into contact with sewage or floodwater.
-
Try to keep any opened food in an enclosed box or tin.
-
All crockery, pots and pans should be thoroughly washed with hot soapy water before using. DO NOT use tap water. If any of these are badly chipped or damaged do not use. You could use a food safe disinfectant to sanitise them after cleaning.
-
Frozen food that has been at room temperature for a few hours should be discarded. Put contaminated flood-damaged food in black plastic refuse sacks, seal and put out when your next refuse collection is due. Check with insurers before disposal.
Containers, Pans and Utensils
All crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils should be thoroughly washed with a diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach, 5 parts water) or sterilizing tablets. Follow the instructions and all safety precautions on the label. Businesses should comply with COSHH.
The safe use of emergency generators
Remember that petrol or diesel generators, dehumidifiers and pressure washers should never be used indoors without adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which can quickly build up to poisonous levels without proper ventilation.
Children
-
Keep children and pets out of affected areas until clean-up has been completed.
-
Wash children's hands frequently - and always before meals.
-
Wash flood water-contaminated toys with hot water and detergent. Some toys can be cleaned by being put inside pillow cases and into ordinary clothes washing machines.
Gardens and play areas
-
Do not let children or pets play on affected grassed or paved areas until they have been cleaned.
-
Replace any manhole covers dislodged by the flood.
-
Remove any toilet waste from affected areas and after the grass has grown and been cut once, there should be no further risk.
-
Sunlight and soil will help destroy harmful bacteria and outdoor areas will be safe to use within a week or so after flooding.
Garden Vegetable Produce
Don't eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered by sewerage or floodwater.
Although any health risk may be small, it is better to dispose of any contaminated produce and start again.
Heating and ventilation
-
Try to have some heating on at all times. Consider the use of a dehumidifier. Ensure the property is well ventilated. Leave windows open as much as possible but be mindful of security.
-
It is important to ensure your home is properly heated and ventilated to assist the drying process. However, remember that petrol or diesel generators, dehumidifiers, pressure washers and patio-type gas heaters should never be used indoors without adequate ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which can quickly build up to poisonous levels without proper ventilation. Also be aware of the increased fire risk and take extra care when using such items.
-
Ensure that if you have airbricks to any under floor spaces that these are unblocked to give cross ventilation to these areas.
-
Ensure that your home is properly aired to encourage drying. Make sure that any mould growth is properly treated
-
Ensure heating appliances are checked by a suitably qualified engineer:
-
If gas, the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI)
-
If electric, the Institute of Electrical Engineers or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (IEE or NICEIC).
Chemical hazards
Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during flood recovery.
Floodwaters may have buried or moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from their normal storage places. If you are worried about major chemical contamination, contact the fire and rescue service for advice in the first instance.
-
If the floodwater contained oil, petrol or diesel it should go away with the floodwater and silt. Any remaining oil, diesel or petrol contamination can be removed by using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after initial cleaning has been carried out.
-
Car batteries, even those immersed in floodwater may still contain an electric charge and should only be removed with extreme caution by using insulated gloves. Avoid coming into contact with any acid that may have been spilt from the battery.
-
In general you should avoid contact with contaminated water and materials, but if it becomes necessary to do so, you should wear protective clothing and gloves. You should also avoid enclosed areas that may be chemically contaminated, such as garages and cellars, where hazardous fumes may build up.
-
Be aware that flood waters may have soaked into containers of chemicals, solvents and other industrial items or moved them from their normal storage place. However the risk of chemical exposure is likely to be limited as the volume of flood water has been so significant that there is likely to be considerable dilution of any chemical hazard that may have been released. In general avoid contact with flood water and wear protective clothing and waterproof gloves whilst cleaning up.
-
Special care should be taken when opening cupboards that may contain household or garden chemicals that have become wet, especially those in bags or cardboard packaging. In general avoid contact with these products if wet and wear protective clothing (including eye protection) and waterproof gloves whilst cleaning up.
-
Petrol or oil films may be seen floating on the flood waters both inside buildings and surrounding areas. It is recommended that these petrol films should not be disturbed. Flood waters should be allowed to subside and on contact with the ground the petrol allowed to evaporate. Avoid exposure to petrol films where possible. As is normal practice people are reminded not to smoke or have fire sources such as matches in the vicinity of petrol films.
-
Avoid enclosed areas that may be chemically contaminated, such as garages and cellars where hazardous fumes may build up. Ensure such confined areas are adequately ventilated before entering and are not accessible to children and animals.
-
Following potential chemical contamination, residents should not return home without seeking advice from your Local Authority.
-
Water and mud may enter gas systems during a flood. Even if appliances appear to be working normally, the flue or ventilation systems may be affected. For safety reasons it is most important to have appliances inspected by a CORGI registered engineer before they are used for the first time after flooding.
-
It is recommended that you only fully reoccupy your home once it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and allowed to dry out. This will also reduce any risk from any chemical hazard.
Reducing the risk of mould
Flooding can contribute to the growth of mould in homes, which can present a health risk, especially to people with asthma, allergies, other breathing conditions and those with a suppressed immune system.
Links to Latest Flood and Water Supply Information
Last Updated: 01/08/07
|