Albertans need to take steps to ensure their safety and health as they return home from flood evacuations.
Floodwaters can carry disease bacteria from raw sewage, which can lead to serious health problems if surfaces and furniture is not thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, and food disposed of.
There are several steps you need to consider as you return home in order to reduce your chance of floodwater-related health issues.
– Most foods will need to be disposed of if they have been in contact with the floodwater.
– Throw out refrigerated or frozen foods that have thawed, or have spent an unknown amount of time in refrigerators without power. Use this logic: “If in doubt, throw it out.”
– You need to prevent the growth of dangerous microbes and mould by quickly clearing away standing water and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and coverings.
Detailed information about how to properly clean and disinfect areas that have been flooded is available at www.albertahealthservices.ca/8644.asp under the Public Health resources section. Advice includes:
– When cleaning or disinfecting flood-affected areas, it is important to use a household chlorine bleach to remove dangerous bacteria and reduce the chance of bacteria build-up.
– Remove wet floor coverings and furniture as soon as possible.
– Break out walls that have been soaked or that have absorbed water, then thoroughly clean interior cavities. Replace these wall surfaces later. Do not just clean up the affected wall surfaces.
– Disinfect all dry areas of the house to prevent the spread of dangerous microbes.
The website also contains detailed post-flood recovery information for social care facilities and food facilities, advice on how to deal with mould, and instructions for disinfecting and cleaning your cistern or private water supplies.
Drinking water in Drumheller is safe for use and no boil water order is in effect at this time.
