Illinois Department of
Public Health provides flood safety guidance
Food, water, safety, and
cleaning information
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[July 01, 2015]
SPRINGFIELD
- Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav D. Shah,
M.D., J.D., is urging residents in and around flooded areas to take
precautions to help prevent disease and stay safe.
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“Flood waters can contaminate food, water, house appliances, and
just about anything it touches,” said Director Shah. “To avoid
illness it is important for people whose homes have been affected by
flooding to make sure their water is safe to drink, to know if food
needs to be thrown out, and to clean all items touched by flood
waters properly.”
Disease
Flood water and sewer overflows can contain bacteria, fecal
material, viruses and other organisms that may cause disease. The
following information can help protect communities from illness and
injury:
- Avoid skin contact with flood and sewer water, especially
cuts and sores. Keep them clean and covered.
- Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by flood
water and sewage backup.
- Do not eat or drink anything exposed to flood and sewer
water.
- Keep contaminated objects, water and hands away from mucous
membranes (mouth, eyes and nose).
- Wash hands frequently, especially after bathroom use, before
eating and immediately following contact with flood and sewer
water or contaminated objects or surfaces.
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Food and Water Safety
Until you are sure the water supply is safe, use only
bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking, dish
washing, tooth brushing, and bathing. Some communities may be
under boil orders because the water quality in the system is
potentially contaminated by flooding or equipment damage. People
with private water wells who think their well may be impacted by
flooding should contact their local health department for
instructions on disinfecting and testing their wells.
Instructions for disinfecting a well can also be found in the
Department’s After the Flood pamphlet.
If the power goes out, the refrigerator will keep food cold for
about four hours if it is unopened. A fully stocked freezer will
keep food frozen two days if the door remains closed. A
half-full freezer can keep foods frozen about one day. If you
plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs
while it is still at safe temperatures, it’s important that each
item is thoroughly cooked to its proper temperature to assure
that any foodborne bacteria that may be present are destroyed.
However, if at any point the food was above 40 F for two hours
or more – discard it. Intact cans without dents can be cleaned
with a bleach solution before use.
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Safety
Removal and cleanup of sewer or flood water is essential. It
is important to take the following precautions to prevent
injury:
- Turn off main power switches, if necessary. Air out and wipe
dry all appliances and electrical outlets exposed to water,
before use.
- If you have fuel oil or gas systems, be sure tanks are
secure and all lines are free from breaks.
- Wear rubber boots, gloves and a mask during removal and
cleanup.
- Open windows if possible to ventilate and dry the area. Fans
can be used to help with drying.
- Keep children from playing in water.
- Before volunteering or working in an area affected by
flooding, make sure tetanus boosters are current – a tetanus
booster is recommended every 10 years. If cut or scratched
during clean-up efforts, a health care professional can
determine if a tetanus booster is needed at that time. Exposure
to flood water alone is not a reason to give tetanus-containing
vaccine or any other vaccine.
Cleaning
The following cleaning guidelines may help prevent the
transmission of disease and reduce property loss:
- Discard any contaminated objects that cannot be
thoroughly washed or laundered.
- Thoroughly dry and clean carpet, rugs, wood, paneling,
wallboard, mattresses, and anything else touched by flood
water to prevent mold.
- Wash contaminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy
water and then disinfect them with a bleach and water
solution made of no more than one cup of 5.25 percent
chlorine bleach, per one gallon of water. For objects that
would be damaged by bleach, use a home or laundry
disinfectant.
- Make sure to read and follow label instructions. Do not
use ammonia. Ammonia vapors mixed with bleach vapors create
a toxic gas that could be deadly.
More information can be found at http://www.idph.state.il.us/floodinfo/index.htm,
including the IDPH After the Flood pamphlet, or call your
local health department.
[Illinois Department of Public
Health]
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