Cleaning up after a flood can present as many hazards as the event itself. It's important not to let your guard down just because the initial threat seems to have passed. For most homeowners, the challenges you're facing are completely unfamiliar. In addition to lack of know-how, you'll be experiencing emotional stress, too, as you put your home—and your life—together again.
Water damage recovery experts confront these issues every day. Their professional expertise and assistance can be helpful if disaster strikes. Here's some advice they'd like you to keep in mind when cleaning up after a flood:
- A flood-damaged home is a danger zone. Be alert for sagging ceilings and deteriorating walls. Watch for holes in the floor, exposed nails and broken glass.
- Shut off the gas and electricity first. Stand in a dry, safe area and use a piece of wood or other non-conductive material to switch off the main power. If the area is water-soaked, call an electrician instead.
- Open all doors and windows to circulate air ASAP.
- Cover scratches and wounds and consider all flood water to be a source of infection. A tetanus shot may be required after any open wounds.
- Throw out all foodstuffs that contacted flood water. All eating utensils must be washed and disinfected with bleach.
- If the power's been off longer than four hours, discard refrigerated and frozen foods.
- Fully boil any suspect water before drinking.
- Keep cleaning supplies and disinfectants away from children.
- Operate gasoline-power accessories like a pump or generator outdoors to avoid dangerous carbon monoxide.
- Air-dry important documents and photographs immediately if you can. If not, store them at freezing temperature.
- Have major appliances tested by an electrician before you turn them on.
For more advice about cleaning up after a flood safely, contact the professionals at Rytech.
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