Following a flood, all sorts of dangers lurk in waters and your property. When it’s bacteria, mold, power, or rapid streams — all pose a danger to your health and safety if you’re not careful. Here are the most frequent hazards following a home flood, and tips to avoid them:
Infections
- You can contract a disease by eating or drinking contaminated products. Floodwaters can directly infect food with bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella or during a power surge. There is also the risk of wound infection if you come in contact with floodwater.
- Throw away food that has come in contact with floodwaters, such as bottled drinks and products from jars, or any food that looks and smells unusual. Intact, canned products may be washed and disinfected.
- Discard perishable foods like eggs or meat, which have been left at over 41 degrees Fahrenheit for over four hours.
- Throw away all medicines, makeup, and other medications that have touched floodwater.
- If you have made contact with floodwater, practice good hygiene — wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Don’t let kids play in floodwater or with toys contaminated with floodwater.
- When you have an open wound, then keep it clean, cover it with a waterproof bandage, and prevent exposure to floodwater.
Rapid Flowing Waters
- Don’t push flowing water if it’s just a couple of inches deep. Your vehicle can break down or get swept away.
- If the streets are flooded and you must drive, monitor road conditions and follow closure signs. Be conscious of road hazards such as mud, building debris, tree limbs, and potholes.
- Never walk through flowing water. Rapidly moving water could be deadly, even if you can swim.
Respiratory Hazards
- Avoid areas with mold growth — it may sort within 24-48 hours of flooding. The mold must be removed before moving back to your own property. For mold and water damage cleanup, hire a professional damage restoration company, for example, PuroClean, visit their website to learn more.
- Run gas, propane, and diesel-powered equipment only in well-ventilated outdoor areas to prevent carbon dioxide buildup.
- Stay away from creating materials that may contain lead, such as painted surfaces and plumbing.
- Be aware of asbestos poisoning. Don’t enter areas where asbestos may have been used as a construction material.
Chemical Exposure
- When returning to your home after a flood, know about potential chemical hazards that floodwaters could have carried.
- Don’t move propane tanks yourself as they may cause a fire or burst.
- If you see automobile batteries in floodwaters, do not get near them to avoid electric shock. Also, beware of any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery.
Electrical and Gas Dangers
- Never touch electric lines, wires, equipment, and fittings during and after a flood. Report fallen power lines.
- Don’t walk or drive through floodwater if downed power lines are in it.
- Never enter your house if the primary power switch wasn’t turned off before the flood. Wait till a qualified electrician has announced your house safe before re-entering.
- Evacuate your house if you detect or odor gas and notify the gas company.
Debris
- In the wake of a flood, all children of debris may be potentially dangerous. Watch out for broken glass, building or demolition debris, and tree limbs.
To find out more about home flood safety, check out how to protect your home from flooding and what to do following basement flooding. For flooding water damage repair and mold remediation service, contact your local PuroClean of Coral Gables office.
