Cyclones, Typhoons and Hurricanes are natural calamities that bring torrential rains and catastrophic deluge which will definitely make flood cleanup an arduous task. Getting through the disaster is just part of the process, dealing with what comes after it is the hard part. Citizens living near the coast must take note of the recommended procedures, especially since the number of complications that can arise from being careless can mean the difference between life and death. This must be observed especially in populated areas and large cities like New York. With that said, let's cut to the chase. What are some of the protective measures one must observe to effectively deal with the aftermath of flooding.
Protective Gear
In order to perform flood cleanup effectively, you need to gear up. If you can get hold of a hazmat suit the better, although rubber boots, goggles, gloves and a non-porous suit is enough to do the task. Primarily, you need protection when you are wading through flood waters, simply because it is a cesspool of bacteria, viruses and microorganisms – when combined, all of which can cause diseases like diarrhea, leptospirosis and may even infect open wounds. Also, protective equipment is important to avoid injuries that can be sustained from debris hidden by the flood water which may include sharp objects like broken glass and edged rocks.
Disinfect Yourself
During flood cleanup, make sure to disinfect yourself every time you come into contact with flood waters. Taking a shower with clean water (obviously) with anti-bacterial soap is enough to do the job, although you may need to additionally scrub your skin, especially since the pores may hold bacteria and simple rinses might not be enough. With that said, when an open wound comes into contact with flood waters, be sure to immediately clean it with soap and water, and Iodine-based disinfectants, given the fact that water-borne viruses have a large chance of infecting it.
Never let people with fragile conditions and pets be in contact with the flood water
Although you may need all the help you can get during flood cleanup, you would not want people with bad health conditions, children and pets near the flood waters. Children might treat it as playtime and may get careless, which could result to accidents that could lead to dire complications. As for people with fragile health, obviously, wading through flood waters can cause ailments or aggravate existing ones.
Observe proper cleanup procedures
During flood cleanup, make sure to disinfect yourself every time you come into contact with flood waters. Taking a shower with clean water (obviously) with anti-bacterial soap is enough to do the job, although you may need to additionally scrub your skin, especially since the pores may hold bacteria and simple rinses might not be enough. With that said, when an open wound comes into contact with flood waters, be sure to immediately clean it with soap and water, and Iodine-based disinfectants, given the fact that water-borne viruses have a large chance of infecting it.
Never let people with fragile conditions and pets be in contact with the flood water
Although you may need all the help you can get during flood cleanup, you would not want people with bad health conditions, children and pets near the flood waters. Children might treat it as playtime and may get careless, which could result to accidents that could lead to dire complications. As for people with fragile health, obviously, wading through flood waters can cause ailments or aggravate existing ones.
Observe proper cleanup procedures
If you have your gear and shovel ready, make sure you know the proper flood cleanup procedures to minimize complications later on. However, if the task is too much, always try to avail professional services – pushing yourself to do it will only result to frustration and a number of complications around the house, like mold and water damage. But if the scale of the damage isn't really that big, make sure to use the following materials: aside from a shovel and your gear, use a garden hose, disinfectants, dehumidifiers and electric fans. The first two allows easy cleaning and the death of microorganisms while the last two quickly dries the area, inhibiting the conditions that may contribute to mold growth.