Flood Safety

Keep out of flood water. Flood water can displace insects and reptiles which can be dangerous to people. The water can also be contaminated with bacteria and harmful chemicals. If it’s necessary for you to touch flood water as you clean up, follow the tips below:

✳Wash the area that has come into contact with floodwater with soap and clean water as soon as possible. If you don't have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer.

✳Take care of wounds and seek medical attention if necessary.

✳Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent before reusing them.

✳If you must enter floodwater, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles.

Open wounds and rashes exposed to floodwater can become infected. Vibrios, for example, are naturally occurring bacteria that live in certain coastal waters and can cause skin infections when an open wound is exposed to them. This can happen during floods.

To protect yourself and your family:

✳Avoid exposure to floodwater if you have an open wound.

✳Cover clean, open wounds with a waterproof bandage to reduce chance of infection.

✳Keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water.
✳If a wound develops redness, swelling, or oozing, seek immediate medical attention.

Find more information about flood waters here and here.