Staying Safe While Cleaning Up After Floods

Floods can be really scary and messy. After the water goes down, it's important to be careful when cleaning up. The health department in Snohomish County has some good advice to keep everyone safe. First, don't go back into your home until officials say it's okay. Look for any damage to the building, gas leaks, or fallen power lines. If you think there's a gas leak, turn off the gas and electricity, and call the gas company or the fire department right away. Floodwater can be really dirty. It might have sewage, chemicals, or even sharp objects hidden in it. Don't touch the water. It can cause skin problems, make you sick, or even give you an infection. Mold can start growing just a day or two after the flood. It can make allergies or asthma worse. To stay safe, wear waterproof boots, heavy gloves, and a special mask called an N95 mask. The flood might have made your drinking water dirty too. If you have a well, you should clean it after the floodwater goes away. If you're on a public water system, check with your local water district to make sure it's safe to drink. If the water smells or looks funny, boil it for a full minute before drinking. Throw out any food, medicine, or makeup that was not in a sealed container. If your fridge or freezer stopped working for more than four hours, throw out any food that can go bad. When in doubt, it's better to throw it out.If you own a restaurant or other food business that was flooded, contact the health department for help. To clean your home, open all the doors and windows to let in fresh air. Scrub all the hard surfaces with soap and water. Then, use a mix of one cup of bleach and one gallon of water to disinfect them. Wash all clothes and linens in hot water. Throw out any mattresses or couches that got wet. Also, wash any cans of food before opening them. Remember to take care of yourself too. Wash your hands a lot, especially when cleaning or touching things that were in the floodwater. Wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to stay safe. Floods can also mess up septic systems. To keep it from getting damaged, don't use too much water. If the drain field is covered in water, don't use the system at all. If your septic system is damaged, try to use other toilets. Don't have the septic tank pumped while it's still flooded, as it could float away. Even after the floodwater is gone, keep using less water until you know the system is working right. Have your system checked for dirt and debris. Pump the tanks if needed. The county is asking everyone to report any flood damage as soon as possible. You can do this online at bit. ly/SnoCo-Damage-Report.