Tips to Avoid Health & Safety Hazards After a Home Flood – What to Know
The hazardous effects of a flood to the household last more than one night. It takes days, weeks, or even months to eliminate health and safety hazards due to heavy flooding totally. The presence of floodwater puts the household at several risks, such as bacterial or mold infections and electrical hazards.
Listed below are some helpful safety tips to avoid hazards after encountering a flood:
1. Throw away any food or medicine that is exposed to floodwater
Floodwater is more than just rainwater. It probably came in contact with sewage and street water. After hours of being stagnant, bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella grow more rapidly in floodwater. That said, homeowners must throw away any food that has come in contact with floodwater, especially perishable ones like eggs or meat. Homeowners must also throw away any medicines, cosmetics, and other toiletries that have touched floodwater. They are at risk for contamination that can cause severe and permanent infectious and diarrheal diseases.
2. Check bottled or canned goods for possible contamination
The risk of contamination is not limited to food that is openly exposed to the water. Contamination also affects those that are kept inside a bottle, jar, or any container. This includes bottled sauces, pickles, and beverages. Homeowners must also be wary of canned goods and take note of visible dents in the can. This might be signs of possible holes that put them at risk of contamination.
3. Keep open wounds away from floodwater
Aside from the possibility of contamination through food and medicine intake, any contact with floodwater can cause bacterial diseases. It’s imperative to exercise proper hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap and water. Open wounds are at higher risk of soft tissue wound infection. Because of that, any cuts must be kept clean and covered with a waterproof bandage to avoid any possibility of dirty water exposure.
4. Eliminate any mold infestation in common home furnishings
Home floods cause common furnishings to soak up water that contains bacteria. After absorbing contaminated water for an extended period, these furnishings may develop a mold infestation. Mold starts to form within 24–48 hours after water comes in contact with surfaces, such as wallboards, plaster, wood, or flooring. Before moving back to the home after a flood, you must conduct a mold and water damage clean-up. Contact a professional damage restoration company to prevent mold from taking over basic home furnishings on your property. They assess the condition of prevalent home furnishings to check whether they can still be repaired or need to be replaced.
5. Avoid electrical hazards by checking electrical wirings
One of the most dangerous effects of a home flood is the risk of electrical hazards. Damaged outlets and appliances are at risk of malfunctioning, which results in causing electrical shocks or explosions. It is best to contact a professional electrician who checks the house’s electrical wirings and conducts the proper fixes.
Conclusion
After a flood, every household must take proper precautions against safety and health hazards. To prevent any bacterial or mold infections, as well as electrical hazards, contact a professional cleaning and restoration company for a thorough clean-up.
If you’re looking for water damage restoration in Wilmington, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.
