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Precautions When
Returning to Your Home
Electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut
off to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions. Try to return to
your home during the daytime so that you do not have to use any
lights. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than
candles, gas lanterns, or torches. If you smell gas or suspect a
leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the
house immediately. Notify the gas company or the police or fire
departments or State Fire Marshal's office, and do not turn on the
lights or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to
the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
Your
electrical system may also be damaged. If you see frayed wiring or
sparks, or if there is an odor of something burning but no visible
fire, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the
circuit breaker.
Avoid any downed power lines, particularly those in water. Avoid
wading in standing water, which also may contain glass or metal
fragments.
You should consult your utility company about using electrical
equipment, including power generators. Be aware that it is against
the law and a violation of electrical codes to connect generators
to your home's electrical circuits without the approved,
automatic-interrupt devices. If a generator is on line when
electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard.
In addition, the improper connection of a generator to your home's
electrical circuits may endanger line workers helping to restore
power in your area. All electrical equipment and appliances must be
completely dry before returning them to service. It is advisable to
have a certified electrician check these items if there is any
question. Also, remember not to operate any gas-powered equipment
indoors. (See also Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning.)
For more information, see How to Protect Yourself and Others
from Electrical Hazards Following a Natural Disaster and Reentering Your Flooded
Home.
Cleanup
Walls, hard-surfaced floors, and many other household surfaces
should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a
solution of 1 cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Be
particularly careful to thoroughly disinfect surfaces that may come
in contact with food, such as counter tops, pantry shelves,
refrigerators, etc. Areas where small children play should also be
carefully cleaned. Wash all linens and clothing in hot water, or
dry clean them. For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned,
such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, air dry them in the
sun and then spray them thoroughly with a disinfectant. Steam clean
all carpeting. If there has been a backflow of sewage into the
house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup.
Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be
disinfected, such as wallcoverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall. (See
also Cleanup of Flood
Water)
See also Mold After a
Disaster.
Immunizations
Outbreaks of
communicable diseases after floods are unusual. However, the rates
of diseases that were present before a flood may increase because
of decreased sanitation or overcrowding among displaced persons.
Increases in infectious diseases that were not present in the
community before the flood are not usually a problem. If you
receive a puncture wound or a wound contaminated with feces, soil,
or saliva, have a doctor or health department determine whether a
tetanus booster is necessary based on individual records.
Specific recommendations for vaccinations should be made on a
case-by-case basis, or as determined by local and state health
departments.
Swiftly Flowing Water
If you enter swiftly flowing water, you risk drowning --
regardless of your ability to swim. Swiftly moving shallow water
can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for
small children. Cars or other vehicles do not provide adequate
protection from flood waters. Cars can be swept away or may break
down in moving water.
Chemical Hazards
Use extreme caution when returning to your area after a flood.
Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during
flood recovery. Flood waters may have buried or moved hazardous
chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from
their normal storage places.
If any propane
tanks (whether 20-lb. tanks from a gas grill or household propane
tanks) are discovered, do not attempt to move them yourself. These
represent a very real danger of fire or explosion, and if any are
found, police or fire departments or your State Fire Marshal's
office should be contacted immediately.
Car batteries, even those in flood water, may still contain an
electrical charge and should be removed with extreme caution by
using insulated gloves. Avoid coming in contact with any acid that
may have spilled from a damaged car battery.
For more information about possible dangers posed by chemical
leaks and spills, see the Chemical Emergencies
page.
See Also…